The Indian cricket tour begins tonight with a T20 against New Zealand at a sold-out Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The sides last met in March's World Cup final at Ahmedabad, won by the then-hosts.

However, the start times for this tour seem to be an issue, as an 8pm start means the games won't be ending until nearly midnight.

Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson told Ryan Bridge it's not ideal, but the tour is a golden egg.

He says that it's an amazing opportunity for NZ Cricket to reap the rewards of a broadcasting deal worth millions as well as ticket sales and merchandising.

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Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says politically, the Mood of the Boardroom shows a "tactical draw" between National and Labour.

The survey of business leaders shows dissatisfaction and a desire for more investment in infrastructure, reform, leadership and talk of productivity, Bridges told Ryan Bridge.

"Because you'd expect, and they are in their numbers, the Nats as a centre right incumbent government to be higher up, I would sort of call it a tactical draw between the Nats and Labour when you look at this closely."

Unease about "the tail wagging the dog" with minor parties gaining more power in the future government is also present.

"This is a very small sliver of business. It's the top end of town, let alone it being the electorate...

"They've got a very clear view about what they like. They tend to like stability, certainty, an incumbent government over change that might be messy and uncertain."

The former National Party leader said no result in the upcoming election would surprise him.

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A warning we could see some more nasty inflation spikes before the year is out.

Stats NZ is releasing the inflation data for the three months to September just before 11 this morning.

Economists expect it to show inflation’s sitting around 3.7 percent.

BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones told Ryan Bridge they're expecting inflation to rise to 4.7 percent in the next update.

He says most of it is due to the spike in fuel prices, but the numbers today will show core inflation is also on the rise.

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On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Thursday the 22nd of October 2026, economists are expecting a mixed bag in today's inflation figures, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones takes his pick.

The Black Caps open their five-match t20 series against India in Christchurch tonight at 8pm, with the first game at Hagley Oval, Newstalk ZB Sports Reader Andrew Alderson shares his thoughts on why the match starts so late.

Business leaders are feeling pretty optimistic about our economic trajectory, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges shares his thoughts.

Plus, US Correspondent Nick Harper has the latest on a US teacher released by Russia, and Steve Witkoff and Putin's meeting.

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Nearly there.

Voting's already happening for kiwis overseas.

Monday, we start in-country. Two weeks later it's all over and counting begins.

The result looks as tight as a fishes bum.

Here's my predictions.

Opportunity won't get 5% and the Coalition will be returned to power.

I want to be clear. This is not based off a scientific poll-by-poll or electorate probability calculator.

It's just a gut feeling of how voters will behave once they get into the voting booth.

And the fact not everyone who's polled actually turns out to vote, and not everyone who voted is polled.

If Opportunity does get over the line.

Of course, Luxon will talk to them, but he's got a strategy and he's sticking to it.

Campaigning politicians and CEOs do that. There's no point having strategy you abandon at the 11th hour.

For me, the key part of last night's leader's debate was Qiulae Wong's vibe on the Coalition.

If they get in, they'd support with confidence and supply only.

ACT and New Zealand First's more extreme wish lists might need to be put on ice in return for their support, plus a few sweeteners on innovation and the digital economy thrown in for good measure.

Either way, there's still a long road ahead.

We'll have started buying Christmas trees before the Governor General is swearing in a new government.

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Opioids remain the biggest driver of overdose deaths, often with a cocktail of other substances.

The latest NZ Drug Foundation report reveals the country's losing around three people a week to preventable overdose.

It also shows a rise in hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.

Foundation executive director Sarah Helm told Andrew Dickens that in 85% of fatalities, the person had more than one thing in their system.

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A health sector leader's praising Labour's plan to get our emergency departments into recovery mode but says there are still gaps.

The party's released its plan combining all their health election policies, including three free GP visits, a stock take of empty hospital beds, and training more extended care paramedics.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Andrew Dickens there's a lot to like, but as with other parties, it doesn't address the need for more senior hospital doctors.

She says the hospital flow component of this policy makes sense, apart from the fact decisions around this are determined by senior doctors.

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On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday the 21st of October 2026, Police arrests for retail crime are through the roof, Retail NZ CEO explains.

Labour’s promising to cut emergency department wait times, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists' Executive Director Sarah Dalton tells Andrew if the plan will work.

The Drug Foundation says three New Zealanders a week are needlessly dying to overdoses; Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm tells Andrew what needs to change.

Plus, Gavin Grey UK/Europe Correspondent has the latest on Prince Harry says he would like to 'reconcile' with his family, and the BBC has confirmed the closure of tv and radio channels BBC Three, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4 Extra linear broadcast services in Q1 of 2027.

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