Airways New Zealand is pushing for the Civil Aviation Authority to lower the age New Zealanders can get an air traffic control licence amid worries our talent's being poached overseas. 

The air traffic control provider's sounded the alarm during an address before a Parliamentary Select Committee.  

CEO James Young says there's a global shortage of controllers, and in other areas like controller training.  

Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace told Ryan Bridge a licence can currently only be obtained at 21 or older. 

He says this is something Airways has brought up, and the regulator should be looking at this. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Airways New Zealand is pushing for the Civil Aviation Authority to lower the age New Zealanders can get an air traffic control licence amid worries our talent's being poached overseas.&nbsp;
The air traffic control provider's sounded the alarm during an address before a Parliamentary Select Committee. &nbsp;
CEO James Young says there's a global shortage of controllers, and in other areas like controller training. &nbsp;
Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace told Ryan Bridge a licence can currently only be obtained at 21 or older.&nbsp;
He says this is something Airways has brought up, and the regulator should be looking at this.&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

Simon Wallace: Aviation Industry Association CEO on the concerns air traffic controllers are getting poached

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/38531639-0261-4eef-b35a-b3fa0168d18d/transcript

Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. 

Mandelson was fired and has been under investigation over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. 

It comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, calling for the former Prince Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succession. 

Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge the line of succession is a very complex legal framework. 

She says the charges require all Commonwealth countries to pass new laws, but Albanese says they're grave allegations and Australia takes them very seriously. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.&nbsp;
Mandelson was fired and has been under investigation over his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.&nbsp;
It comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has written to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, calling for the former Prince Andrew to be removed from the royal line of succession.&nbsp;
Australia correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge the line of succession is a very complex legal framework.&nbsp;
She says the charges require all Commonwealth countries to pass new laws, but Albanese says they're grave allegations and Australia takes them very seriously.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the push to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/db68d643-4db2-484d-b2d1-b3fa016caae6/transcript

Long term benefits could justify the Crown pouring more money into Genesis Energy.  

The company's revealed a $400 million capital raise to up its investment in renewables. 

Now the Crown's purchasing $200 million worth of new shares to maintain its 51% shareholding.  

Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge Genesis is focused on storing electricity for dry years. 

He says that backup supply is the most important electricity for the system.  

But Harbord says the investment doesn't do much in the short term for affordability issues. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Long term benefits could justify the Crown pouring more money into Genesis Energy. &nbsp;
The company's revealed a $400 million capital raise to up its investment in renewables.&nbsp;
Now the Crown's purchasing $200 million worth of new shares to maintain its 51% shareholding. &nbsp;
Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord told Ryan Bridge Genesis is focused on storing electricity for dry years.&nbsp;
He says that backup supply is the most important electricity for the system. &nbsp;
But Harbord says the investment doesn't do much in the short term for affordability issues.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

John Harbord: Major Electricity Users' Group Chair on Genesis Energy announcing a $400m capital raise

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/59397845-5315-499f-9e22-b3fa016ba8cc/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025, the Government’s forking out $200 million to keep its majority stake in Genesis Energy, Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord tells Ryan if this is a good investment. 

Warnings that staffing shortages could spell big problems for our airline industry, Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace shares his concerns.

Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina tells Ryan why he wants Police stationed at the City Rail Link long-term. 

Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese writing to Sir Keir Starmer supporting laws to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession and a monsoon low is heading across three Australian states, bringing torrential downpours and flash flooding. 

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 2025, the Government’s forking out $200 million to keep its majority stake in Genesis Energy, Major Electricity Users' Group Chair John Harbord tells Ryan if this is a good investment.&nbsp;
Warnings that staffing shortages could spell big problems for our airline industry, Aviation Industry Association CEO Simon Wallace shares his concerns.
Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina tells Ryan why he wants Police stationed at the City Rail Link long-term.&nbsp;
Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on Anthony Albanese writing to Sir Keir Starmer supporting laws to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession and a monsoon low is heading across three Australian states, bringing torrential downpours and flash flooding.&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

Full Show Podcast: 24 February 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/48411e9f-2284-411e-930d-b3fa011a897a/transcript

Simon Wallace: Aviation Industry Association CEO on the concerns air traffic controllers are getting poached

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