As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives. 

A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise. 

Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa has been double what it was in 2023, but it's mostly impacting the large multi-nationals.  

He says it was $2 a kilo in 2023, went up to $12 a kilo in 2024 and 2025, and it's now lower down at $5, but there's a lag in the system.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

As prices for everyone's favourite sweet treat soar, chocolate makers are searching to find cheaper alternatives.&nbsp;
A Rabobank report reveals manufacturers are exploring ways to replace cocoa beans, including lab-grown options, as climate pressures disrupt supply and make global cocoa prices rise.&nbsp;
Raglan Chocolate Head Maker Mike Renfree told Andrew Dickens the commodity price of cocoa has been double what it was in 2023, but it's mostly impacting the large multi-nationals. &nbsp;
He says it was $2 a kilo in 2023, went up to $12 a kilo in 2024 and 2025, and it's now lower down at $5, but there's a lag in the system. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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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

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Mike Renfree: Raglan Chocolate Head Maker on the impact of fluctuating cocoa bean prices

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f6638026-f138-4a7c-ab11-b3d70162a72f/transcript

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age.  

The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon.  

Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low.  

Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory superannuation in 1991 with 3% employer contribution.  

He says it now has trillions of dollars, which it invests in infrastructure and tourism. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A superannuation expert suggests the Government looks across the ditch for ways to maintain the retirement age. &nbsp;
The Prime Minister took the opposite stance during his State of the Nation speech in Auckland yesterday afternoon. &nbsp;
Christopher Luxon says as life expectancy rises, the pension age of 65 is too low. &nbsp;
Jonathan Eriksen told Andrew Dickens Australia introduced compulsory superannuation in 1991 with 3% employer contribution. &nbsp;
He says it now has trillions of dollars, which it invests in infrastructure and tourism.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jonathan Eriksen: Superannuation expert on the retirement age and superannuation funding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b797ef7d-8563-4a4e-9b36-b3d7016145b8/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 20th of December 2025, Christopher Luxon says a lift in the retirement age inevitable, retirement and superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts. 

Confectionary giants are looking into lab-grown cocoa as prices continue to rise, Raglan Chocolate Head Chocolate Maker, Mike Renfree tells Andrew what difference it could make. 

Teacher shortages are getting worse, as kids prepare to go back to the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Andrew why it's gotten so bad. 

Plus, Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a special sitting of parliament to pass new laws after Bondi terror attack and a young boy attacked by a shark in Sydney.

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

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 20th of December 2025, Christopher Luxon says a lift in the retirement age inevitable, retirement and superannuation expert Jonathan Eriksen shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Confectionary giants are looking into lab-grown cocoa as prices continue to rise, Raglan Chocolate Head Chocolate Maker, Mike Renfree tells Andrew what difference it could make.&nbsp;
Teacher shortages are getting worse, as kids prepare to go back to the classroom, Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken tells Andrew why it's gotten so bad.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a special sitting of parliament to pass new laws after Bondi terror attack and a young boy attacked by a shark in Sydney.
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: 20 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0d171957-0bfe-49e9-bc33-b3d7011a8853/transcript

Schools hit by staffing shortages are being forced to adapt as vacancies climb nationwide.

Around 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12% more than this time last year.

Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens vacancies are taking longer to fill than in the past.

He says schools are doing everything they can to manage with the staff and resources available.

LISTEN ABOVE

Schools hit by staffing shortages are being forced to adapt as vacancies climb nationwide.
Around 450 teaching and principal roles remain vacant - 12% more than this time last year.
Secondary Principals Council Chair Steve McCracken told Andrew Dickens vacancies are taking longer to fill than in the past.
He says schools are doing everything they can to manage with the staff and resources available.
LISTEN ABOVE

Steve McCracken: Secondary Principals Council Chair on teacher shortages

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/14112263-6c55-4d0c-9ae4-b3d7011c2f69/transcript

Mike Renfree: Raglan Chocolate Head Maker on the impact of fluctuating cocoa bean prices

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