Business NZ says a new loan scheme to help businesses ditch gas is a necessary step.   

This year's Budget funds up to $1.2 billion in guaranteed bank loans to help businesses transition to renewables. 

Potential losses are accounted for with $48 million set aside. 

Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge it's still a loan business will need to pay back, but it will help. 

She says the barrier for businesses trying to move away from gas is often capital expenditure, so they're in favour of lowering that hurdle. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Business NZ says a new loan scheme to help businesses ditch gas is a necessary step. &nbsp;&nbsp;
This year's Budget funds up to $1.2 billion in guaranteed bank loans to help businesses transition to renewables.&nbsp;
Potential losses are accounted for with $48 million set aside.&nbsp;
Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge it's still a loan business will need to pay back, but it will help.&nbsp;
She says the barrier for businesses trying to move away from gas is often capital expenditure, so they're in favour of lowering that hurdle.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Catherine Beard: Business NZ Advocacy Director on the Government's loan scheme to help businesses transition from natural gas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ee6a7949-2bd2-499f-9c42-b455018960af/transcript

Conferences on our shores are driving up international delegation numbers, which have surged more than 50% annually.  

According to Stats NZ, arrivals are near pre-Covid levels, with more than 16 thousand people coming in the first quarter.  

International delegates contributed more than $54 million to the economy, with visitors spending an average $500 per day.  

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Ryan Bridge with last week's Air New Zealand expansion in Christchurch, there are more options. 

She says having direct flights between Christchurch and Singapore, Perth and Tokyo, will make a big difference. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Conferences on our shores are driving up international delegation numbers, which have surged more than 50% annually. &nbsp;
According to Stats NZ, arrivals are near pre-Covid levels, with more than 16 thousand people coming in the first quarter. &nbsp;
International delegates contributed more than $54 million to the economy, with visitors spending an average $500 per day. &nbsp;
Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Ryan Bridge with last week's Air New Zealand expansion in Christchurch, there are more options.&nbsp;
She says having direct flights between Christchurch and Singapore, Perth and Tokyo, will make a big difference.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on the number of international business delegates visiting New Zealand rising by 50%

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7625960f-23f7-4de8-8365-b45600007b2a/transcript

Glimmers of hope for Wellington despite another drop in cruise visits. 

Preliminary data released to Newstalk ZB shows a 3% drop in port visits compared to last season.

The North Island fell 41, and the South Island gained 23. 

The capital was the worst hit, losing 24% of port calls. 

WellingtonNZ General Manager Destination and Marketing Todd Barberel told Ryan Bridge visitor numbers and spend is increasing, though they're not at pre-Covid levels yet.

He says there's positive momentum and the challenges from cruise lines need to be balanced with their long-term objectives. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Glimmers of hope for Wellington despite another drop in cruise visits.&nbsp;
Preliminary data released to Newstalk ZB shows a 3% drop in port visits compared to last season.
The North Island fell 41, and the South Island gained 23.&nbsp;
The capital was the worst hit, losing 24% of port calls.&nbsp;
WellingtonNZ General Manager Destination and Marketing Todd Barberel told Ryan Bridge visitor numbers and spend is increasing, though they're not at pre-Covid levels yet.
He says there's positive momentum and the challenges from cruise lines need to be balanced with their long-term objectives.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Todd Barberel: WellingtonNZ General Manager Destination and Marketing on a drop in cruise visits

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/512527eb-81bc-4241-bf97-b455012dce62/transcript

Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.

I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record. 

Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics. 

But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies. 

They're upset for two reasons:

1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically. 

2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports. 

On the first point, isn't that a bit rich? 

Isn't it a bit hypocritical of the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks. 

This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life. 

Are we really going to judge?

And as for the sport argument, name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line - except for maybe competitive walking? 

Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know are in wheelchairs?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous. 

It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. We're thrill-seekers, essentially. 

The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally. 

If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim. 

Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.
I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record.&nbsp;
Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics.&nbsp;
But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies.&nbsp;
They're upset for two reasons:
1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically.&nbsp;
2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports.&nbsp;
On the first point, isn't that a bit rich?&nbsp;
Isn't it a bit hypocritical of the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks.&nbsp;
This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life.&nbsp;
Are we really going to judge?
And as for the sport argument, name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line - except for maybe competitive walking?&nbsp;
Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know are in wheelchairs?
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous.&nbsp;
It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. We're thrill-seekers, essentially.&nbsp;
The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally.&nbsp;
If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Enhanced Games just a bit of fun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e77eef55-77b8-4e48-b946-b455012c76cc/transcript

Catherine Beard: Business NZ Advocacy Director on the Government's loan scheme to help businesses transition from natural gas

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