The Automobile Association says when it comes to EV structure, investment needs to happen ahead of demand.

The AA's pleased with National's promise of 10-thousand public EV chargers over the next four years, a promise that will cost $257 million.

The party would also dump Labour's clean car discount scheme and ute tax. 

Chief Policy Officer Simon Douglas told Kate Hawkesby that big car manufacturers are beginning to invest in electric cars.

He says we'll reach a point where EVs and internal combustion engine cars are equal in price, and things will take off.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Automobile Association says when it comes to EV structure, investment needs to happen ahead of demand. 
The AA's pleased with National's promise of 10-thousand public EV chargers over the next four years, a promise that will cost $257 million. 
The party would also dump Labour's clean car discount scheme and ute tax.  
Chief Policy Officer Simon Douglas told Kate Hawkesby that big car manufacturers are beginning to invest in electric cars. 
He says we'll reach a point where EVs and internal combustion engine cars are equal in price, and things will take off. 
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

Simon Douglas: AA Chief Policy Officer on National's EV policy

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Thursday 21 May.

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 Thursday 21 May. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 21 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/54516910-fd20-487b-b093-b450012acb45/transcript

Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board. 

Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1.3% last month. 

Kiwis are spending more overall compared to last year, but on cheaper food and are cutting back on buying items like clothing. 

Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge margins are being squeezed and cash flows is tight. 

She says the cost of things like freight and rubbish collection are up, and retailers are bearing the brunt 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Retailers are feeling the pinch, with card spending plunging across the board.&nbsp;
Stats NZ data reveals retail electronic card purchases dropped 1.3% last month.&nbsp;
Kiwis are spending more overall compared to last year, but on cheaper food and are cutting back on buying items like clothing.&nbsp;
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young told Ryan Bridge margins are being squeezed and cash flows is tight.&nbsp;
She says the cost of things like freight and rubbish collection are up, and retailers are bearing the brunt&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Carolyn Young: Retail NZ CEO on card spend data dropping by 1.3% in April

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d0b4f437-b31d-4cc2-889d-b44f01848f48/transcript

The Labour Party is criticising the Government’s proposed public service overhaul, saying its “arbitrary” target will hurt Kiwi families. 

Willis announced yesterday the Government would reduce the number of departments, increase artificial intelligence use, and cut public servants by nearly 9000 over the next three to five years. 

Labour’s spokesperson for public services Camilla Belich told Ryan Bridge the Government’s target of reducing public servants to about 1% of the population was “arbitrary”. 

“We have a significantly larger number of public servants than 1% at the moment.” 

Belich said it was unknown how the cuts would affect the services New Zealanders access. 

She said the overhaul would affect every region in the country. 

“That’s a significant number of jobs that the Government is going to cut at the same time as we’ve got decade-high levels of unemployment. 

“This is going to unfortunately hurt Kiwi families and also the businesses that they utilise.” 

Willis said the money saved will go into frontline roles, but Belich said there was not enough detail to prove that it would be beneficial. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Labour Party is criticising the Government’s proposed public service overhaul, saying its “arbitrary” target will hurt Kiwi families.&nbsp;
Willis announced yesterday the Government would reduce the number of departments, increase artificial intelligence use, and cut public servants by nearly 9000 over the next three to five years.&nbsp;
Labour’s spokesperson for public services Camilla Belich told Ryan Bridge the Government’s target of reducing public servants to about 1% of the population was “arbitrary”.&nbsp;
“We have a significantly larger number of public servants than 1% at the moment.”&nbsp;
Belich said it was unknown how the cuts would affect the services New Zealanders access.&nbsp;
She said the overhaul would affect every region in the country.&nbsp;
“That’s a significant number of jobs that the Government is going to cut at the same time as we’ve got decade-high levels of unemployment.&nbsp;
“This is going to unfortunately hurt Kiwi families and also the businesses that they utilise.”&nbsp;
Willis said the money saved will go into frontline roles, but Belich said there was not enough detail to prove that it would be beneficial.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Camilla Belich: Labour's Public Services Spokesperson on the Government's proposed overhaul

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/47439aec-8b49-43ff-88c2-b44f017e8edc/transcript

Simon Douglas: AA Chief Policy Officer on National's EV policy

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