It's being suggested we need to generate more power if we want to fix our electricity market. 

Major power companies will soon be required to charge less for power during off-peak periods and pay more for solar and battery power during peak periods. 

The Electricity Authority hopes the measures will drive down power prices over time. 

But Paul Fuge —the manager of Consumer NZ's Powerswitch website— told Andrew Dickens the ultimate driver of price is supply. 

He says the market is not delivering the amount of electricity needed for New Zealand's growth, and the country needs more power stations being built. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

It's being suggested we need to generate more power if we want to fix our electricity market.&nbsp;
Major power companies will soon be required to charge less for power during off-peak periods and pay more for solar and battery power during peak periods.&nbsp;
The Electricity Authority hopes the measures will drive down power prices over time.&nbsp;
But Paul Fuge —the manager of Consumer NZ's Powerswitch website— told Andrew Dickens the ultimate driver of price is supply.&nbsp;
He says the market is not delivering the amount of electricity needed for New Zealand's growth, and the country needs more power stations being built.&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

Paul Fuge: Powerswitch Manager on the Electricity Authority's latest measures to drive down prices

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1788ea71-22da-4abb-b414-b31c0181f43f/transcript

New Zealand could go back to rationing fuel - like we did in the Muldoon era - if our fuel stocks run dry. 

Crude oil prices are increasingly unstable - with war in the Middle East choking the vital transit route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Government isn't ruling out car-less days, limits on petrol sales, or the use of fuel coupons.

AA Fuel Spokesperson Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge it's good we have a plan, but we ideally wouldn't have to use it, as it would be hugely disruptive.

New Zealand could go back to rationing fuel - like we did in the Muldoon era - if our fuel stocks run dry.&nbsp;
Crude oil prices are increasingly unstable - with war in the Middle East choking the vital transit route through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Government isn't ruling out car-less days, limits on petrol sales, or the use of fuel coupons.
AA Fuel Spokesperson Terry Collins told Ryan Bridge it's good we have a plan, but we ideally wouldn't have to use it, as it would be hugely disruptive.

Terry Collins: AA Fuel Spokesperson weighs in on rationing fuel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e2147cba-73c3-4208-b8a0-b40b0121f4bf/transcript

We're learning a few hard truths this week and the old saying rings true - you don't know what you've got 'till its gone.

Parties on the left and the right all crying out for more oil.

Turns out, it's actually still quite important.

A decent supply of it at a stable price.

And we're a long way off from that strait opening and running at full capacity again.

Trump's talking victory. Winston told me this week the war will be over before people think.

But there are sea mines and rocket launchers and drones hitting that strait.

No shipping company, or insurer, is going near there for a while yet.

The uprising we were told would happen hasn't happened. We've go the old boss's son in charge.

And they've just killed his mum, dad and most of his family.

He's not giving up anytime soon, is he?

More important than oil is food. We've got the Wattie's plant closures.

The frozen vegetables are grown here. Peas and beans. Like peaches before them, there'll be some cheaper imported alternative filling the shelves.

The farmer's complaints? Regulation. They're drowning in it. Paperwork up the wazoo.

It was the same story with pork.

Again, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.

So once this crisis is over, perhaps we remember how important food and oil are to our daily lives and stop demonising the very people trying to keep our tummies and gas tanks full.

We're learning a few hard truths this week and the old saying rings true - you don't know what you've got 'till its gone.
Parties on the left and the right all crying out for more oil.
Turns out, it's actually still quite important.
A decent supply of it at a stable price.
And we're a long way off from that strait opening and running at full capacity again.
Trump's talking victory. Winston told me this week the war will be over before people think.
But there are sea mines and rocket launchers and drones hitting that strait.
No shipping company, or insurer, is going near there for a while yet.
The uprising we were told would happen hasn't happened. We've go the old boss's son in charge.
And they've just killed his mum, dad and most of his family.
He's not giving up anytime soon, is he?
More important than oil is food. We've got the Wattie's plant closures.
The frozen vegetables are grown here. Peas and beans. Like peaches before them, there'll be some cheaper imported alternative filling the shelves.
The farmer's complaints? Regulation. They're drowning in it. Paperwork up the wazoo.
It was the same story with pork.
Again, you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
So once this crisis is over, perhaps we remember how important food and oil are to our daily lives and stop demonising the very people trying to keep our tummies and gas tanks full.

Ryan Bridge: You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c38af067-2ca6-4212-a918-b40b0120db62/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 13th of March 2025, the Government could consider car-less days to help with fuel security, AA Fuel Spokesperson, Terry Collins shares his thoughts. 

Homegrown Festival is back, but this time in Hamilton, Homegrown Festival Founder Andrew Tuck shares his thoughts. 

According to a new report the Maui gas field could run dry by 2027, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey tells Ryan Bridge what impacts that could have on the energy sector. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Iran targeting the international financial district in Dubai with a drone and a British man has been charged under cyber-crime laws in Dubai after allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city.

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 13th of March 2025, the Government could consider car-less days to help with fuel security, AA Fuel Spokesperson, Terry Collins shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Homegrown Festival is back, but this time in Hamilton, Homegrown Festival Founder Andrew Tuck shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
According to a new report the Maui gas field could run dry by 2027, Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey tells Ryan Bridge what impacts that could have on the energy sector.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Iran targeting the international financial district in Dubai with a drone and a British man has been charged under cyber-crime laws in Dubai after allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city.
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: 13 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fea8d7bd-a13c-44a0-a445-b40b011a9444/transcript

Paul Fuge: Powerswitch Manager on the Electricity Authority's latest measures to drive down prices

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