The internet is a funny place,” muses broadcaster Ryan Bridge, relaxing on a couch and recalling a couple of moments this year when he unintentionally became the story. In June, when the host of Herald NOW asked multi-sport star Sonny Bill Williams if he was “greedy” during negotiations for a boxing showdown, media outlets reported Sonny Bill getting in a terse and testy exchange with Ryan.
“You better watch your mouth, bro,” the former All Black fired back.
“I’ll come over there and see who’s greedy.”
A straight-faced Ryan responded, “This is my studio – you can’t talk to me like that!” To which Sonny Bill retorted, “Just because you’ve got nice hair this morning doesn’t mean I won’t get off this chair.”
For the record, the duo had pre-planned this on-screen tête-à-tête.
“It was just a joke!” insists Ryan.
“Both of us were like, ‘Let’s do a funny bit at the end with a bit of biffo.’ But halfway through the interview, Sonny Bill started doing it. So I tried to pull it back, thinking, ‘No, that’s for the end.’ It surprised me that people thought it was serious. I had someone come up to me and go, ‘Sonny Bill, what an …’ And I was like, ‘No! He’s the loveliest man I’ve ever interviewed.’”
From breaking news to breaking hearts
Three months later, another video of Ryan went viral when he broke the news of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia’s Far East. Nearly a million TikTok users were less interested in the quake than in Ryan’s brooding good looks. “Earthquake or heartquake,” one female wrote.
“Oh, I have zero issues with being objectified by American women,” says Ryan.
“I showed my husband, Ferg, and we thought their comments were highly entertaining!”
Charisma off camera
Indeed, today, Waikanae-born Ryan, who is full of naughty fun with a sharp wit, is entertaining us during the Weekly photoshoot. He throws himself down to do push-ups beside the pool (“that was just to show off!”) and when his stomach rumbles mid-interview and quiche is offered, he’s quick to quip, “Oh, I don’t put pastry in this body!”
It’s all because lately the Newstalk ZB Early Edition host has been on a health and fitness journey. He and Ferg, a former professional athlete, have always loved the gym, but with Ryan being in the newsroom by 3.30am each day, he noticed he was continually reaching for carbohydrates for energy.
“I’m 37 – maybe I’m getting to an age where I’m starting to be a bit more mindful of wanting to live well and be healthy for as long as you can,” he says.
“So a friend of ours recommended we see a dietitian, who’s given me a programme. It’s nothing too intense ‒ just tweaking my diet to include more protein. I see her once a month, where she weighs me and clips my fat bits with her callipers. “It’s been good to have a new perspective on health and nutrition because with the hours I keep, it’s easy to fall off the wagon. I need to be quite strict not to blow out.”
Finding balance at home
He and Ferg, 38, who were married in Russell in July 2024, are now walking more and eating mostly whole foods and fewer takeaways. The pair will head to Wellington and Wairarapa for Christmas with their families, who have gained and lost loved ones during the year. Ryan’s younger brother Sean and his fiancée Danni have welcomed a baby son, Bodhi, but Ryan’s aunt sadly died in March.
“That was devastating for the family,” he shares.
“She was an amazing lady.”
A gentler pace
Then, after a five-night break at a friend’s bach in Northland, Ryan’s intention is not to run, but to walk into 2026 with a gentle swagger.
“I think all the people in my life are better at slowing down than I am,” he says.
“I’m somebody who’s always been quite focused on what’s next and rushing to get there. “So what I’ve been trying to do this year is live in the moment ‒ more at peace with where I am now and worrying less about where I’m going. At some point, you have to take stock and realise, ‘I’m grateful to have a job and hey, I am pretty happy. Things are going well. Take a breather. Enjoy life.’”
Ryan hosts the live streaming news show Herald NOW, available on the NZ Herald website and YouTube. He is also the host of Newstalk ZB’s Early Edition radio programme.
