Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A coalition of health charities has slammed the Government’s decision to give ministerial responsibility for free school lunches to David Seymour after the Act leader campaigned for the programme to be abolished. Speaking to Mike Hosking on Early Edition, Co-chair of the Health Coalition Aotearoa Professor Boyd Swinburn says nobody wants to see kids trying to learn on empty stomachs. Universality is what makes the programme efficient, Swinburn says, providing relief for families with food insecurity. Listen above. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vladimir Putin is warning NATO countries of tragic consequences if they were to send troops into Ukraine. The Russian President is referring to comments made earlier in the week by his French counterpart. Emmanuel Macron was speculating on opening the doors for European ground troops being sent to Ukraine. Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Mike Hosking that following Sweden and Finland joining NATO, Putin feels the need to strengthen his defences. He says Russia would be ready to use their weapons offensively against other nations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is making it illegal for New Zealanders to support Hamas. It's designated Hamas' political wing a terrorist entity, the same as its military wing. It will also ban from New Zealand several extremist Israeli settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. Strategic analyst Paul Buchanan told Mike Hosking that it's about tightening relations with security partners and won't dismantle Hamas. He says it also runs contrary to the majority of world opinion, which sees a distinction between the political and armed wings of Hamas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coroners Court is recommending mandatory safety helmets on e-scooters after its report into an Auckland man's death. The man crashed into a concrete power pole on a modified e-scooter while under the influence of methamphetamine. Radiology registrar Mark Bekhit says a lot of the e-scooter injuries he's seen have been alcohol or drug-related. He told Mike Hosking that he can't be sure people will wear helmets if they've taken substances. Bekhit says it sounds like a simple recommendation that's easier than targeting methamphetamine abuse, but he doesn't know it will solve the problem. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Presidential race is heating up as both Joe Biden and Donald Trump win the Michigan Primary votes for their respective parties. But President Biden's victory in the Democratic race wasn't all smooth sailing, with a sizable contingent issuing a protest vote. Thirteen percent of voters, which says they weren't uncommitted. Newshub US Correspondent Mitch McCann told Mike Hosking that many are unhappy with Biden's involvement in the Israel Palestine war. He says Michigan has the largest Arab community in the country. Meanwhile, 82-year-old US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says he'll step aside in November to make way for a new generation of leadership. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newshub's imminent closure has put the size of our population in the spotlight. Advertising agency owner Vaughan Davis told Mike Hosking that New Zealand is like the Chatham Islands of the world. He said that maybe we're just too small a country for two TV networks. Davis said we try to have the big country stuff but it's just five million people on an island, far away from everywhere. Up to 300 jobs are expected to be lost by the end of June. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch Airport's Tarras project is slowing down. The airport had been developing a Central Otago airport on 800 hectares of land in the small town of Tarras. It's been put on hold due to the need of co-investment from both public and private sources. Queenstown Airport chief executive Glen Sowry told Mike Hosking that the Tarras project hasn't met community demands and expectations as Queenstown Airport has. He says they've been working hard on making sure their future plans are what the regional businesses and community wants. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year is set to be harder than the last for many New Zealanders. The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 5.5%, in line with most economists' expectations. It isn't expected to cut the OCR for a while, possibly not until the middle of next year. Westpac Senior Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking that some households will be finding it harder to pay their bills. He says the unemployment rate is at 4%, which is not particularly high by New Zealand standards, but it will probably reach about five during the year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International nurses are flocking to our shores - but not with the skills required. Gore Hospital recently had 80 nurses apply for an emergency department role - but say only 98 percent of applicants had the relevant qualifications. It comes as the country is four and a half thousand nurses short. Gore Health chief executive Karl Metzler told Mike Hosking that they're being turned away due to a skill issue - not a lack of understanding in New Zealand culture. He says the hospital employs Russians, Germans, Filipinos and Indians - and prides themselves on being diverse. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is making decisions on how it carves up funding for our young people. It's allocating just under 10.7 million dollars of Ministry of Youth Development funds to 34 community youth organisations. The funding covers areas from education to mental health - as well as helping those living in regions affected by flooding in early 2023. Youth Minster Matt Doocey told Mike Hosking that he's been impressed by what he's seen of hardworking youth providers around the country. He says organisations at the community level are doing great work - we just need to make sure they're financially supported. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales police have officially been uninvited from Mardi Gras, Sydney’s pride event. Senior Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon has been accused of murdering Sydney gay couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, and as such, the precinct has been asked not to appear. Debate over the police's involvement with the march began after Lamarre-Cordon allegedly shot his ex-boyfriend and his new partner with his service gun. Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that police will comply. She says Police have expressed disappointment in the decision, but will work to ensure a safe environment for all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fast food operator Restaurant Brands says that despite making record sales, it still has major cost issues. The operator of KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Junior, and Taco Bell has posted $1.3 billion in full-year sales. Its net after-tax profit was $15.8 million, down half a million annually. Brad Olsen, Infometrics Principal Economist, told Mike Hosking that while spending value was up 4.2% year on year, the volume purchased was down by 2.7%. So, he said, you’re spending more, getting less bang for your buck. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communication problems are running rampant between the Education Ministry and schools. The Government's ordered a review of school building projects, saying they've inherited a school property system "bordering on crisis". Already the ministry has put 20 projects on pause, with up to 350 in doubt. Auckland Primary Principals' Association President Kyle Brewerton told Mike Hosking that the pauses have caught some schools by surprise, with shovels already in the ground. He says there's confusion around the schools that have been tagged and what's happening now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lack of transparency with Wellington Water is being blamed for the region's water woes. The Capital's water provider yesterday admitted that it's failed to meet Ministry of Health fluoridation targets at least 95% of the time over recent months. It comes as the region grapples with leaks and water shortages. Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung told Mike Hosking that the water agency won't give the council adequate information as to what it's working on. Wellington Water has also announced that it won't be exempt from new rules around chlorine compliance. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nationals Annual Blue Greens forum was held over the weekend. The prime minister and the party caucus members were all there to talk with the environmental leaders. Greens Forum chair Grant McCallum told Mike Hosking that the meeting was a 10/10 and it 'couldn't have gone better'. When asked how green the national party are he said 'we're very pragmatically green, We're not idealistically green.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ginny Andersen says she'll apologise to Mark Mitchell, over comments she made on last week's Mike Hosking Breakfast. On last Wednesday's show, the Labour Police Spokesperson accused the Police Minister of being paid to kill people when he was a defence contractor in East Africa and the Middle East. Mitchell says he hasn't knowingly killed anyone. Andersen told Mike Hosking this morning, she shouldn't have made the comments, and will personally apologise to Mitchell when they reappear on the show this week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A building expert says people tend to focus on the cost of building infrastructure and think they'll figure everything else out as they go along. The Infrastructure Commission says we need to spend around 60% of our investment to look after what we already have, rather than building more. AUT Professor of Construction Management John Tookey told Mike Hosking that people often focus on acquisition costs, rather than maintenance costs because it's easy. He says that's because the sums get more complicated when you start considering the likes of depreciation and more over an extended period of time. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s “a new approach" from the Government on breaking the cycle of child poverty. The percentage of children living in poverty has risen to 17.5, with the percentage of children facing material hardship rising to 12.5. Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says they'll have a target and will be held accountable for it. She told Mike Hosking that it's not just a matter of addressing incomes. Upston says those on welfare and the lowest incomes are hit the hardest in the cost-of-living crisis. She says that's why they have to deal with the costs families face, and housing costs are a significant part of that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s concerns the Government's plan to switch the first year of free tertiary study to the final year won't hit the mark. The Tertiary Education Commission has told a select committee this week that there's no discernible evidence the first-year policy changed numbers of low decile school students attending university. Tertiary Education Union National Secretary Sandra Grey says once students get past the first year, they usually stay until the end. So, she told Mike Hosking, it doesn't make a lot of sense to make the final year free. Grey says students need support when they're trying to transition either off the benefit and unemployment into study, or when they're going from school into study. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Air New Zealand's turbulent relationship with Auckland Airport is taking another turn. The national carrier is demanding an inquiry into the airport's spending, claiming it will push up airfares to five times the current rate by 2032. Cath O’Brien, Executive Director on the Board of Airline Representatives, told Mike Hosking that the airport has a history of extremes, going from spending too little on their projects to a significantly higher amount, which its regulatory regime is not designed to handle. She said the regime is only a five-year look, and so it can’t handle the ten-to-fifteen-year expense of the current plan. While Auckland Airport denies any significant price changes, O’Brien said that due to the limitations on the current regime, prices will rise a lot more than they’re currently able to say. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tribute from one Pacific leader to another. 49 yearold Green Party MP and former Auckland Councillor Efeso Collins collapsed and died at a charity event yesterday morning. Pasifika Medical Association Board Director Sir Colin Tukuitonga told Mike Hosking that he picked up the causes that other people perhaps wouldn't. He says that includes young people and poor south Auckland communities, and his joining of the Green Party highlighted his concern for the environment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Children's Minister says she's prioritising frontline staff investment in Oranga Tamariki. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has released a report detailing two thousand complaints and enquiries he's witnessed in the past four years. He concluded work is inconsistent across the country, with some parts showing an alarming "absence of discipline" Minister Karen Chhour told Mike Hosking that we can't keep having report after report saying the same things. She says we're talking about children and young people with futures ahead of them and we need to do everything we can to ensure these futures are positive ones. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems the path has been cleared for a multi-million-dollar film studio in Hawke's Bay. Number Eight Studios has received resource consent from Hastings District Council for its 400-hectare facility in the coastal township of Te Awanga. Despite having been five years since the first proposal, project leader Tony Keddy says it's been worth the wait. The idea is for buildings to be built for the specific needs of the film industry, bringing a raft of international productions to Hawke's Bay home. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Grant Robertson is retiring from Parliament next month and will become Otago University's Vice-Chancellor in July. The 15-year MP was Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the Labour Government. He says the time is right for new challenges. Political Commentator Brigitte Morten told Mike Hosking that the writing was on the wall when he decided not to run in Wellington Central again. She said that making room for the new guard is a painful transition, but it's the right thing to do. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no silver bullet when it comes to improving our physical activity levels. Health New Zealand's latest review of the state of our health has found one in three adults carries enough weight to affect their health. Exercise New Zealand Chief Executive Richard Beddie says we're one of the worst in the western world when it comes to being active. He told Mike Hosking that if information was key, we could solve it overnight. Beddie says the answer is easy —move your body— but the behaviour is the complicated bit in terms of how they get people to do that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High mortgage rates are continuing to pressure the housing market as the year starts with slow January sales. CoreLogic data shows there were more than 3,100 sales last month, up just 2% on the same time last year. It's the slowest start to a year since 1983. Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says a slowdown in the Auckland market has also had a big impact. He says mortgage rates have stopped increasing but aren't falling either, which is creating a bit of variability in the market, which he expects to continue for a while yet. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A taskforce is proposing a crackdown on drugs and alcohol in the Australian parliament. Australian Senator Perin Davey admitted to having a couple glasses of wine before a senate hearing, where she was seen slurring her words. Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that this isn't the first time an Aussie politician has been caught drinking on the job. She says the image of former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce lying and babbling on the street is still fresh in the minds of Australians. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lack of resources are being blamed for St John's move to pull some ambulances off the road. The service is aiming to rein in costs for when a worker is sick or goes on leave. Health commentator Ian Powell told Mike Hosking that it comes down to having enough staff, and funding isn't matching the increase in health demand. He says this is not just a St John's problem there's a problem in the model, and there's a problem tangled up in the generalised under-funding of our health system. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's defending its work in the benefit space when in government, saying it takes time for change to occur. Social Development Minister Louise Upston's announced a ramp up of work check-ins for jobseekers, with sanctions for those who don't meet obligations, starting in June. Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni told Mike Hosking that when she was minister, there were record levels of people leaving benefits to get into employment. But she says there were a lot of people coming onto the benefit who didn't necessarily have the skills to match the jobs that were out there, which is why they invested in upskilling and training. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British and American ambassadors to Russia have laid flowers at a memorial to Alexei Navalny in Moscow. The Russian opposition leader died after collapsing following a walk in his Arctic prison, over the weekend. Meanwhile, G-7 foreign ministers have met in Munich to discuss ideas to punish Russia for his death.Europe correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking that the UK and US have suggested seizing Russian central bank assets held abroad to pay for Ukraine. He says they believe the way to make Vladimir Putin uncomfortable is not demanding an explanation for Navalny's death, but to hit him in the pocket. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scepticism over whether handing over speed camera duties will reduce fatal speed-related crashes. NZTA is taking over the job from Police, with plans to increase the number from 150 to around 800, as part of a high-tech development of the network. It's estimated to process around three million infringements annually by 2030. But road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson told Mike Hosking it doesn't target those who cause most of those accidents. He says those who actually cause them are a very small group of poorly educated people, usually with substance abuse problems and an attitude. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon gave a somewhat grim outlook of the economy during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday, but he still has support. Luxon says the state of the nation is fragile, and says the problems the country faces won't be fixed in 100 days .. or 100 days after that .. but his Government is getting to work. Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking a lot of polls show he still has plenty of people backing him. He says Luxon's having to cut through the noise to keep getting his message out there. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The migration boom is easing ever so slightly. Latest Stats NZ figures show annual net migration reached just under 126,000 in the year to December. That's down 6.3% on the record high for the year to November. The net migration gain is still one of the largest recorded, equivalent to the population of Taranaki. Westpac Senior Economist Michael Gordon told Mike Hosking that he thinks we’re beginning to reach our peak. He said he’d be surprised if we continued to see these numbers this time next year. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been labelled "unrealistic" as concerns rise for Gazan city Rafah. International relations expert Geoffrey Miller told Mike Hosking that Netanyahu seems to be in a fantasy land. He says he seems to think the 1.5-million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah can all go to a small village on the coast seven kilometres away. New Zealand, Australia, and Canada have issued a joint statement, warning that a humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nurses union wants the new Health Minister to intervene on delays to payouts. Te Whatu Ora owes nearly two billion dollars to nurses after failing to meet Holiday Act requirements, and its only paid roughly $250,000 back. The union says the rest of the money, owed from 2010 onwards, has been pushed back. Nurses Organisation President Kerri Nuku told Mike Hosking that they'll be writing to the minister. She says deadlines keep getting pushed back and they want clarity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour's preparing to take a harder line on the parents of chronically absent kids. As the Associate Education Minister, Seymour's been tasked with tackling increasing levels of absenteeism in schools across the country. Regular attendance is classed as being in school more than 90-percent of a term. He says he's investigating whether the power to fine the parents of absent kids should be used more often. Chris Abercrombie, Acting President of the Post-Primary Teachers Association, told Mike Hosking that he’s not sure if fining parents is the answer. He thinks making sure that the needs of students are met would be more effective in getting students to school. Abercrombie said it could be something as simple as making sure they have a uniform or sending around a van to pick up students. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Salvation Army says lifting people off benefits and into jobs is easier said than done. The Government's looking to change benefit legislation that would see income support rise only with the rate of inflation. Under Labour benefits rose with wage growth each year, which generally rises faster than inflation. Salvation Army Head of Social Services, Lynette Hutson told Mike Hosking that many people receiving them are without any transport or education. She says it's a very simple answer to say get everyone a job and it will be okay ... it doesn't work like that. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fletcher Building's poor results are believed to be indicative of wider pain in the construction sector. The company's half-year financial results painted a dire picture, with a $120-million net loss. Chief Executive Ross Taylor announced his resignation yesterday alongside Chair Bruce Hassall. Combined Building Supplies Co-op Chair Carl Taylor told Mike Hosking that the industry is hurting. He says it is quiet out there, and their numbers are down too. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More privacy concerns for supermarket customers. It's been revealed that Woolworths will collect personal data like images, audio recordings, and license plate numbers when people sign up to their Everyday Reward cards. Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says businesses need to be transparent with what they're collecting from people and what's done with that data once it's been collected. He says they need to make sure it isn't at risk of cyber-attacks and isn't accessible to those who shouldn't see it. It follows an earlier controversy with competitor Foodstuffs trialling facial recognition software in North Island stores. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel is facing pressure from various countries around their ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. A raft of western allies, including New Zealand, is pleading with Israel not to escalate matters. CBS correspondent Linda Gradstein told Mike Hosking that the United States has made it clear to Israel that their forces shouldn't go into Rafah without getting civilians out first. She says there're about a million and a half Palestinians living in Rafah, many of whom have already been displaced twice. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The results of decades of under-investment in Auckland infrastructure are becoming clear. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's demanding Auckland Transport stop all projects that were funded by the Regional Fuel Tax. The tax is being scrapped late June, and the mayor says it'll leave a $1.2-billion gap in transport funding over four years. Trains were also cancelled this week due to heat speed restrictions on the tracks. Committee for Auckland director Mark Thomas told Mike Hosking that their report found transport is almost the number one priority for the city. He says they'll be arguing for much quicker and a larger solution to Auckland's problems, because it seems to be getting worse week by week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The possibility of future rate hikes remains uncertain. Despite ANZ shifting its forecast to predict two more rate hikes, there are economists saying that the Reserve Bank has no need. ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Mike Hosking that there is a growing chance that the Reserve Bank will get impatient and lift interest rates. However, he said, they think that they can hold off since things are going in the right direction. Tuffley said the question is whether they’re headed there fast enough. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian fire authorities are that warning today may pose the greatest fire risk in four years. Melbourne correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there’s a catastrophic bushfire danger rating for parts of the state, with high winds, heat, and the potential for dry lightning likely. She says it's going to reach 40 degrees plus, and the fire experts say these forecast conditions haven't been seen since the Black Summer of 2019. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Councils may continue to join forces to tackle infrastructure around three waters. The Government's confirmed its plan to repeal and replace the controversial legislation. It will introduce bills that attempt to make it easier for councils to determine their own water strategy, including making it easier to set up council-controlled organisations. Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker told Mike Hosking that it makes sense for Hawke's Bay, as a region, to work together. She says communities are socially and economically connected, and this legislation could help get things off the ground for a regional model. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland business leader says nothing surprises him with the city's railway infrastructure, after trains were cancelled due to heat. Some Auckland train services were cancelled through yesterday afternoon and evening, including at peak hour. Kiwi Rail, which manages the tracks, blamed track temperatures, which reached 48 degrees in some places. Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas told Mike Hosking that there are other countries hotter than ours with working rail. He says southern Europe has an amazing railway network and is hotter than Auckland. Knoff-Thomas wonders if Kiwi Rail bought the tracks of Facebook Marketplace. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Emergency Management Minister says additional money for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery will help Hawke's Bay reach silt removal targets. The Government's announced $63-million for sediment and debris removal. Hawke's Bay Regional Council will get 40-million, three million of that is for removing debris in Wairoa. Gisborne District Council will receive 23-million. Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking he hopes the money solves the problem. He says the additional $40-million will help Hawke's Bay get to its target of 20 percent of silt and debris removed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Las Vegas is in Super Bowl mode today as thousands are in town for the big game. The NFL match between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will kick off at 12:30 this afternoon. Sirius XM host Ben Harlum is there, and told Mike Hosking that the streets are packed, security's been increased and the Swifties are in full force. He says he's been to Vegas many times but has never seen it like this. Harlum says the noise is insane and he's had to leave the casino just to get some peace and quiet. Taylor Swift is seeing Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel looks set to proceed with its ground offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, despite a lack of support from western allies. Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the US wants Israel to come up with a plan for protecting the safety of the civilian population, before the military advance begins. Foreign Minister Winston Peters says our government is "extremely concerned" about the potential humanitarian consequences. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government and Auckland Council are not in agreement over the scrapping of the Regional Fuel Tax. It will be gone at the end of June, providing what the Government says is a cost-of-living relief. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has come out swinging, saying the decision will leave a $1.2 billion shortfall in transport funding over the next four years. Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Jordan Williams told Mike Hosking that last week, the mayor was saying Auckland Transport had lost the plot when it comes to value for money. He says this week it's a bit rich for Brown to complain we need to keep piling money into AT, which just has a long history of wasting it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uncertainty continues to plague Mount Ruapehu's future as a skiing destination. Whakapapa Holdings has pulled its bid on the Whakapapa side of the mountain, claiming there's not enough Crown funding. It's unclear how that part of the mountain will operate this winter. It comes as a conditional agreement for Pure Turoa to run the Turoa ski field has been signed. Former Ruapehu Snow Sports Secretary Tony Gavigan told Mike Hosking that the current-funding model needs to stay, with crown-funding. He says nobody in the private sector is going to put in the sort of capital and annual commitment required unless they have tenure. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.