West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes.  

AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure. 

Existing policyholders can renew as usual. 

Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insurer in the town, so have the largest market share. 

He says they want to write to all insurance companies and the insurance council to try improve the market, given the investment they're making in flood banking.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

West Coast officials are working to make the insurance market more competitive so Westporters can continue to insure their homes. &nbsp;
AA Insurance has temporarily stopped offering policies to properties in the 7825 postcode due to flood-risk exposure.&nbsp;
Existing policyholders can renew as usual.&nbsp;
Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew told Ryan Bridge AA Insurance is the main insurer in the town, so have the largest market share.&nbsp;
He says they want to write to all insurance companies and the insurance council to try improve the market, given the investment they're making in flood banking. &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

Darryl Lew: West Coast Regional Council CEO on the efforts to make insurance more competitive as AA stops offering new policies

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/de66a579-d6c0-41d2-b602-b3e101621158/transcript

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back.  

Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile. 

But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning.  

Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this year, they’re just a bit cautious.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

A view that increased employment will be the key to our economic bounce back. &nbsp;
Infometrics says there's worrying indicators which show economic momentum is fragile.&nbsp;
But more signs of improvement are expected by midyear, when labour market conditions should be turning. &nbsp;
Infometrics’ Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Ryan Bridge that they are expecting the economy to pick up this year, they’re just a bit cautious. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the fragile economic recovery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/694f435b-3756-4951-82f2-b3e101667748/transcript

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery. 

The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public. 

Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business. 

She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too. 

Armstrong says that includes penalties to give the legislation teeth and the promise to create an anti-slavery commission. 

LISTEN ABOVE

World Vision is welcoming the new bill around fighting modern slavery.&nbsp;
The new bill, co-sponsored by National and Labour, will require large businesses to make reports on modern slavery in their supply chains public.&nbsp;
Head of Advocacy and Justice Rebekah Armstrong says it will change how companies do business.&nbsp;
She says there are other pleasing aspects to the bill too.&nbsp;
Armstrong says that includes penalties to give the legislation teeth and the promise to create an anti-slavery commission.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Rebekah Armstrong: Head of Advocacy and Justice on National and Labour teaming up on modern slavery bill

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/57cb6cc5-9f67-4e94-ba33-b3e1011cea79/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area.  

National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a modern slavery law, World Vision's head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong shares her thoughts. 

Infometrics latest report says the economic turnaround might not turnout to be what was promised, Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan why.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer in China and the US build up to attack Iran today.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 30th of January 2025, AA insurance has announced they will not be accepting any new insurance policies on homes in Westport because the flooding and weather events are too risky, West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew tells Ryan how this will impact the area. &nbsp;
National and Labour have teamed up to fast-track a modern slavery law, World Vision's head of advocacy and justice Rebekah Armstrong shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
Infometrics latest report says the economic turnaround might not turnout to be what was promised, Principal Economist Brad Olsen tells Ryan why.
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Keir Starmer in China and the US build up to attack Iran today.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 30 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a1d450b6-2072-42b8-9a5d-b3e1011a9410/transcript

Darryl Lew: West Coast Regional Council CEO on the efforts to make insurance more competitive as AA stops offering new policies

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