Mercury Energy believes geothermal has a huge role to play in the future of the country's electricity industry.

The Government's released a strategy on how to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040. 

It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects. 

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton told Ryan Bridge the power just one of its geothermal sites produces is enough for around 150 thousand houses.

He says it also produces clean, reliable energy 24 hours a day, no matter the weather or season.

LISTEN ABOVE

Mercury Energy believes geothermal has a huge role to play in the future of the country's electricity industry.
The Government's released a strategy on how to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040.&nbsp;
It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects.&nbsp;
Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton told Ryan Bridge the power just one of its geothermal sites produces is enough for around 150 thousand houses.
He says it also produces clean, reliable energy 24 hours a day, no matter the weather or season.
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

Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the Government's plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bda2a3e9-d914-4388-80bc-b410011a630f/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast 2025 Wednesday the 18th of March, Beef mince and Steak are driving the latest spike in food prices, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones shares his thoughts. 

Resource Minister Shane Jones is putting money into geothermal; Mercury Energy CEO Stew Hamilton tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have. 

We’re in a global scramble for Chinese students and the stakes are high, New Zealand China Council Executive Director Alastair Crozier shares why. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits UK to agree a new defence partnership aimed at tackling cheap attack drone attacks and an English council bans any more memorial benches saying it's overwhelmed by them.

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 Wednesday the 18th of March, Beef mince and Steak are driving the latest spike in food prices, BNZ Chief Economist Mike Jones shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Resource Minister Shane Jones is putting money into geothermal; Mercury Energy CEO Stew Hamilton tells Ryan how big of an impact this will have.&nbsp;
We’re in a global scramble for Chinese students and the stakes are high, New Zealand China Council Executive Director Alastair Crozier shares why.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits UK to agree a new defence partnership aimed at tackling cheap attack drone attacks and an English council bans any more memorial benches saying it's overwhelmed by them.
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: 18 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5db0d5af-48be-4116-800d-b410011a91c7/transcript

Hopes that whoever takes the reins at Fonterra can continue the current CEO's good work.  

Miles Hurrell will leave the company in six months to ensure a smooth transition.  

Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says the next CEO should continue Hurrell's approach to honest communication.  

He told Ryan Bridge farmers have been told that a spade’s a spade, and that’s what needs to continue.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Hopes that whoever takes the reins at Fonterra can continue the current CEO's good work. &nbsp;
Miles Hurrell will leave the company in six months to ensure a smooth transition. &nbsp;
Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean says the next CEO should continue Hurrell's approach to honest communication. &nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge farmers have been told that a spade’s a spade, and that’s what needs to continue. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Karl Dean: Federated Farmers Dairy Chair on Miles Hurrell resigning as Fonterra CEO

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5bd5682d-1624-4fbb-a3be-b40f017a53a4/transcript

A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders. 

The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre.  

It also gives applicants a right of reply to objections.   

Hospitality New Zealand Head of Advocacy told Ryan Bridge the current licensing process has led to some vexatious objections from those outside of the area.  

He says applications aren’t often declined because of objections, but it does add unnecessary time and cost to the process.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

A view the Government's proposed changes to alcohol laws is a needed re-balance for licence-holders.&nbsp;
The Bill would only let people object to a premise's licence application, if they live or work in the same council area or live within one kilometre. &nbsp;
It also gives applicants a right of reply to objections. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Hospitality New Zealand Head of Advocacy told Ryan Bridge the current licensing process has led to some vexatious objections from those outside of the area. &nbsp;
He says applications aren’t often declined because of objections, but it does add unnecessary time and cost to the process. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sam MacKinnon: Hospitality NZ Head of Advocacy on the proposed changes to alcohol laws

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e8158fbe-b740-44d6-a05b-b40f01675ce4/transcript

Stew Hamilton: Mercury Energy CEO on the Government's plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips