The country's red meat sector may struggle to reach a goal set by the Government to double exports by 2034.

Data from NZ Beef + Lamb's found breeding ewe numbers have dropped by nearly two-percent, while beef cattle numbers were up 4.4-percent.

It reveals 2.6 million units of sheep and beef stock have been lost due to afforestation over the past eight years. 

Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge the rules don't extend to land where most beef and sheep farms are.

He says it appears they're siding with polluters over producers, because a simple solution would be to extend it to all land use classes.

LISTEN ABOVE

The country's red meat sector may struggle to reach a goal set by the Government to double exports by 2034.
Data from NZ Beef + Lamb's found breeding ewe numbers have dropped by nearly two-percent, while beef cattle numbers were up 4.4-percent.
It reveals 2.6 million units of sheep and beef stock have been lost due to afforestation over the past eight years.&nbsp;
Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge the rules don't extend to land where most beef and sheep farms are.
He says it appears they're siding with polluters over producers, because a simple solution would be to extend it to all land use classes.
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

Richard Dawkins: Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chairperson on Sheep and Beef numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/744fb44d-5a7f-40b2-b72b-b339012e1aaa/transcript

The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating. 

Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90. 

Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20. 

Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out. 

He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government's under pressure to act to ensure airlines can continue operating.&nbsp;
Air New Zealand's raised fares due to rising jet fuel costs, increasing domestic fares by $10, short-haul fares by $20, and long-haul fares by $90.&nbsp;
Air Chathams has also raised its standard fare by $20.&nbsp;
Chief Executive Duane Emeny told Ryan Bridge the Government could be playing a role in helping the industry out.&nbsp;
He says they could focus on aviation and start working on things to support airlines should the conflict continue.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Duane Emeny: Air Chathams CEO calls for government support as jet fuel prices rise

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e81b661f-0fd2-4e39-8581-b409016a729c/transcript

A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes. 

The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective. 

But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis. 

Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection. 

He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A lawyer who represented opponents of vaccine mandates says the real test of the Covid inquiry is whether the country learns from its mistakes.&nbsp;
The second phase of the inquiry has found New Zealand's overall response was effective.&nbsp;
But it's found some mandates lasted too long, and the Government didn’t always communicate well with Kiwis.&nbsp;
Lawyer Matthew Hague told Ryan Bridge people don’t expect perfection if another pandemic hits, but decisions need careful reflection.&nbsp;
He says one of the report's recommendations is the introduction of legislation to better protect human rights, and he thinks that's a good idea.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Matthew Hague: Lawyer who represented vaccine mandate opponents on the outcome of the Covid Inquiry

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ff365059-2b19-44ea-bf1e-b4090166995a/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 11 March.

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 Wednesday 11 March. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 11 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aec4206c-ce7b-4a89-bfa8-b409011a8e6e/transcript

Richard Dawkins: Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chairperson on Sheep and Beef numbers

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