Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.

The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks,  to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.

She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone for a short term role.

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Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.
The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks, &nbsp;to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.
Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.
Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.
She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone for a short term role.
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO supports National's paid parental leave policy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2ec0cc41-a1d7-4bd4-a072-b49301408ac7/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 27 July.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday 27 July. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 27 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/77f81254-e753-49c1-89ab-b493012aca22/transcript

The Bay of Plenty MP says fresh slips at Mauao in Mt Maunganui put further strain on the community. 

Adams Avenue remains closed after eight-thousand cubic metres of debris came down over the weekend.  

Three have been three slips near the original landslide which claimed six lives in January. 

MP Tom Rutherford says told Andrew Dickens the restored track to the summit - hasn't been impacted by these events. 

He says the slips have been in the area of the original January landslide. 

The Bay of Plenty MP says fresh slips at Mauao in Mt Maunganui put further strain on the community.&nbsp;
Adams Avenue remains closed after eight-thousand cubic metres of debris came down over the weekend. &nbsp;
Three have been three slips near the original landslide which claimed six lives in January.&nbsp;
MP Tom Rutherford says told Andrew Dickens the restored track to the summit - hasn't been impacted by these events.&nbsp;
He says the slips have been in the area of the original January landslide.&nbsp;

Tom Rutherford: Bay of Plenty MP on fresh slips at Mount Maunganui landslide site

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b7a040db-7fcb-4fac-99a9-b493012a25e6/transcript

As if the world hasn’t already got enough to worry about what with war, and fuel crisis and inflation, there comes another concern

This weekend The Independent published a piece on UK Farmers warning that food shortages are just 10 days away for the UK and there are signs that suggest they’ve already arrived

Farmers have sounded the alarm about a growing food crisis, and experts say that Britain’s food insecurity needs to be treated as a growing national emergency.

Global conflict combined with climate change are affecting fragile supply chains

These days Britain produces about 60 per cent of it’s food compared to 80 per cent in the 80s. the shortfall met by imports principally from the EU which has been affected by Brexit and the fuel crisis

They’re particularly vulnerable when it comes to fruit and seasonal vegetables. Already there are shortages and they’re getting worse and the prices are climbing

New Zealand on the other hand is considered to have one of the most secure food supplies in the world. Basically, we make more than we eat.

We currently grow enough food to feed 40 million people

Even in a major global crisis New Zealand would remain one of the best placed countries to feed it’s own population

And while we might not export oil or mobile phones or plastic knick knacks the one thing every single person in the world needs is food. And in that we are resilient and food is a good product to making

But as we enter an election once again our food manufacturers are going to be urged by the environmentalists to cut production to meet climate change targets when in fact the world will be begging us to make even more food

The greenies are worried about the globe but the thing the globe needs most of all is food and water.

And I wonder if New Zealand First might be better advised to put a billion into making our farms efficient and clean rather than in a survey on whether we have any mythical oil or gas.

As if the world hasn’t already got enough to worry about what with war, and fuel crisis and inflation, there comes another concern
This weekend The Independent published a piece on UK Farmers warning that food shortages are just 10 days away for the UK and there are signs that suggest they’ve already arrived
Farmers have sounded the alarm about a growing food crisis, and experts say that Britain’s food insecurity needs to be treated as a growing national emergency.
Global conflict combined with climate change are affecting fragile supply chains
These days Britain produces about 60 per cent of it’s food compared to 80 per cent in the 80s. the shortfall met by imports principally from the EU which has been affected by Brexit and the fuel crisis
They’re particularly vulnerable when it comes to fruit and seasonal vegetables. Already there are shortages and they’re getting worse and the prices are climbing
New Zealand on the other hand is considered to have one of the most secure food supplies in the world. Basically, we make more than we eat.
We currently grow enough food to feed 40 million people
Even in a major global crisis New Zealand would remain one of the best placed countries to feed it’s own population
And while we might not export oil or mobile phones or plastic knick knacks the one thing every single person in the world needs is food. And in that we are resilient and food is a good product to making
But as we enter an election once again our food manufacturers are going to be urged by the environmentalists to cut production to meet climate change targets when in fact the world will be begging us to make even more food
The greenies are worried about the globe but the thing the globe needs most of all is food and water.
And I wonder if New Zealand First might be better advised to put a billion into making our farms efficient and clean rather than in a survey on whether we have any mythical oil or gas.

Andrew Dickens: Food security should be an election priority

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/03b68c61-8da5-4d2c-9a52-b49301293b1c/transcript

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO supports National's paid parental leave policy

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