Natural gas reserves have plummeted to the lowest level in two decades. 

Latest MBIE annual petroleum reserves data shows a 23% decline in the country's natural gas reserves.  

Energy Minister Simeon Brown says many of our gas fields are coming to the end of their life, with our largest gas field, off the coast of Taranaki, set to close this year. 

He told Ryan Bridge new gas fields haven't been discovered in a long time, and the domestic oil and gas industry needs to be reinvigorated. 

Brown says if no new gas fields are found, then the country needs to look at alternatives. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Natural gas reserves have plummeted to the lowest level in two decades.&nbsp;
Latest MBIE annual petroleum reserves data shows a 23% decline in the country's natural gas reserves. &nbsp;
Energy Minister Simeon Brown says many of our gas fields are coming to the end of their life, with our largest gas field, off the coast of Taranaki, set to close this year.&nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge new gas fields haven't been discovered in a long time, and the domestic oil and gas industry needs to be reinvigorated.&nbsp;
Brown says if no new gas fields are found, then the country needs to look at alternatives.&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

Simeon Brown: Energy Minister on New Zealand's natural gas reserves reaching a two-decade low

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/79fe9300-edb6-4abe-84f2-b44a017ab48c/transcript

Donald Trump is vowing to maintain a "friendship" with China, despite apparent tensions over Taiwan and Iran. 

The US President has met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. 

Trump claims Xi is offering to help in some way with America's war in Iran without providing military assistance, while Xi says it's vital both countries are on the same page about Taiwan. 

Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor Anna Fifield told Ryan Bridge usually when China makes statements about taking over Taiwan, the US President pushes back – but Trump simply pretended he hadn’t heard anything and moved on. 

She says it’s causing concern in Taiwan, as people think the US is becoming less willing to defend them or back them up. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Donald Trump is vowing to maintain a "friendship" with China, despite apparent tensions over Taiwan and Iran.&nbsp;
The US President has met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing.&nbsp;
Trump claims Xi is offering to help in some way with America's war in Iran without providing military assistance, while Xi says it's vital both countries are on the same page about Taiwan.&nbsp;
Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor Anna Fifield told Ryan Bridge usually when China makes statements about taking over Taiwan, the US President pushes back – but Trump simply pretended he hadn’t heard anything and moved on.&nbsp;
She says it’s causing concern in Taiwan, as people think the US is becoming less willing to defend them or back them up.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Anna Fifield: Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor on the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/30167589-68f6-4263-b5a6-b44a017edf98/transcript

Rising international tourism numbers are helping airlines weather the storm of rising jet fuel prices.

Air New Zealand's revealed its looking at staff redundancies and even more flight reductions due to the surging cost of jet fuel.

It's now forecasting a full-year pre-tax loss of between $340 and $390 million.

Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Ryan Bridge the rising jet fuel costs are being partly offset by higher international visitor numbers.

She says that incredibly strong and resilient demand for travel is putting airlines in a good place to continue.

LISTEN ABOVE

Rising international tourism numbers are helping airlines weather the storm of rising jet fuel prices.
Air New Zealand's revealed its looking at staff redundancies and even more flight reductions due to the surging cost of jet fuel.
It's now forecasting a full-year pre-tax loss of between $340 and $390 million.
Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director Cath O'Brien told Ryan Bridge the rising jet fuel costs are being partly offset by higher international visitor numbers.
She says that incredibly strong and resilient demand for travel is putting airlines in a good place to continue.
LISTEN ABOVE

Cath O'Brien: Board of Airline Representatives Executive Director on the state of Air New Zealand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bc85b37b-c3ec-4736-82fd-b44a0130c47c/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday 15th of May 2026, the bilateral talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have been underway in Beijing, Anna Field, Asia-Pacific Expert and Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor shares the latest. 

New Zealand’s gas reserves are now at their lowest level in twenty years, since records began Energy Minister Simeon Brown tells Ryan what we can do to keep the lights on. 

Cath O'Brien, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand Executive Director shares her thoughts on the airline’s expected loss of up to $400 million dollars this year. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Starmer's leadership. 

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 15th of May 2026, the bilateral talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have been underway in Beijing, Anna Field, Asia-Pacific Expert and Former Washington Post Asia-Pacific Editor shares the latest.&nbsp;
New Zealand’s gas reserves are now at their lowest level in twenty years, since records began Energy Minister Simeon Brown tells Ryan what we can do to keep the lights on.&nbsp;
Cath O'Brien, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand Executive Director shares her thoughts on the airline’s expected loss of up to $400 million dollars this year.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Starmer's leadership.&nbsp;
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: 15 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d51d93fa-58b6-4e37-9b80-b44a012ac419/transcript

Simeon Brown: Energy Minister on New Zealand's natural gas reserves reaching a two-decade low

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