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;

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

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Looking for actionable business insights all in one place? 
We're here to help you find a way with a curation of the &lsquo;best bits&rsquo; from top business podcasts. 
Save time searching; subscribe to the SME Stream where you can listen to relevant, timely, business-related content today.&nbsp;
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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

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London. 

The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city. 

Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base. 

UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on both data, and people. 

He says the embassy's so big, and  there are lots of rooms that appear to have no use. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Opposition leaders in the UK are concerned following through with plans for a giant Chinese Embassy in London.&nbsp;
The UK Government's approved the mega embassy, located near Tower Bridge in the central city.&nbsp;
Opponents have been warning the embassy could be used as a spying base.&nbsp;
UK correspondent Gavin Grey told Andrew Dickens there are fears the embassy will be used to eavesdrop on both data, and people.&nbsp;
He says the embassy's so big, and &nbsp;there are lots of rooms that appear to have no use.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the Chinese mega-embassy in London getting approved

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2c606293-5332-419d-b276-b3d80166cdab/transcript

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse. 

New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level. 

Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help.  

She says they need to remove predatory online marketing and gambling advertising in front of young people. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Calls are growing for tougher gambling regulations to prevent relapse.&nbsp;
New AUT research shows one in four gamblers who recover from harmful gambling slip back and return to the habit at a risky level.&nbsp;
Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director Bridgette Thornley told Andrew Dickins people need concrete plans in place to kick their addiction, and New Zealand needs to help. &nbsp;
She says they need to remove predatory online marketing and gambling advertising in front of young people.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Bridgette Thornley: Problem Gambling Foundation Clinical Director on the calls for tougher gambling regulations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/031af2fa-e8b5-41e1-b705-b3d801628ab1/transcript

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law.  

The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead. 

An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies should have done more or acted faster to protect the children.  

Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer Anna-Marie Brennan told Andrew Dickens New Zealand has obligations to protect children under UN conventions.  

She says children deprived of their family environment must be given special protection and assistance. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

An inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children will analyse if New Zealand met its obligations under international law. &nbsp;
The four year search for the group ended in a shootout last September, where Phillips severely injured a police officer before being shot dead.&nbsp;
An inquiry into their disappearance will begin hearing evidence today, looking at whether agencies should have done more or acted faster to protect the children. &nbsp;
Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer Anna-Marie Brennan told Andrew Dickens New Zealand has obligations to protect children under UN conventions. &nbsp;
She says children deprived of their family environment must be given special protection and assistance.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Anna-Marie Brennan: Waikato University Senior Law Lecturer on the Inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/766be236-d66c-4bbf-9ea5-b3d80160f09f/transcript

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

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