Disbelief in Hawke's Bay as another major food producer prepares to cut back. 

McCain's confirmed it plans close its Hastings vegetable processing plant early next year. 

The move follows Heinz Wattie’s plans to shut its Hastings packing site, along with factories in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. 

Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley told Ryan Bridge locals thought they were better off than regions like Canterbury, and they thought McCain was still going strong. 

He says this has come as a complete shock, and farmers will be digesting what this will mean for them over the next year. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Disbelief in Hawke's Bay as another major food producer prepares to cut back.&nbsp;
McCain's confirmed it plans close its Hastings vegetable processing plant early next year.&nbsp;
The move follows Heinz Wattie’s plans to shut its Hastings packing site, along with factories in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.&nbsp;
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley told Ryan Bridge locals thought they were better off than regions like Canterbury, and they thought McCain was still going strong.&nbsp;
He says this has come as a complete shock, and farmers will be digesting what this will mean for them over the next year.&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

Will Foley: Central Hawke's Bay Mayor on McCain's plans to close its Hastings vegetable processing plant

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c272e815-a201-464a-9c46-b4170162449c/transcript

It’s believed businesses will hold off on hiking prices for as long as possible as rising fuel prices risk pushing inflation up.  

Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman says fuel prices are likely to lead to higher inflation and weaker growth over the coming months. 

She says it's too early to say how much that will push up inflation across the board, or whether the Official Cash Rate will need to be hiked earlier than expected. 

BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge there was discussion with suppliers to make any price increases as a result of fuel transparent, so they won’t get baked in. 

She says businesses are preparing for the worst, but things at the moment aren’t too bad.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

It’s believed businesses will hold off on hiking prices for as long as possible as rising fuel prices risk pushing inflation up. &nbsp;
Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman says fuel prices are likely to lead to higher inflation and weaker growth over the coming months.&nbsp;
She says it's too early to say how much that will push up inflation across the board, or whether the Official Cash Rate will need to be hiked earlier than expected.&nbsp;
BusinessNZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Ryan Bridge there was discussion with suppliers to make any price increases as a result of fuel transparent, so they won’t get baked in.&nbsp;
She says businesses are preparing for the worst, but things at the moment aren’t too bad. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Catherine Beard: BusinessNZ Advocacy Director on the Reserve Bank Governor's speech about fuel prices and the impact on inflation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/508e37b6-4962-4cae-a164-b417016a19f5/transcript

There are concerns over the Government's fuel relief package missing benefit-dependent households.

It's unveiled a temporary $50 weekly tax credit for about 143 thousand eligible working families with children as the Iran war sends fuel costs rocketing.
 
Another 14 thousand families will get support at a lower rate.

Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March told Ryan Bridge beneficiaries are often having to drive and some have kids.

He says it's people who are already struggling to make ends meet.

LISTEN ABOVE

There are concerns over the Government's fuel relief package missing benefit-dependent households.
It's unveiled a temporary $50 weekly tax credit for about 143 thousand eligible working families with children as the Iran war sends fuel costs rocketing. &nbsp; Another 14 thousand families will get support at a lower rate.
Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez&nbsp;March told Ryan Bridge beneficiaries are often having to drive and some have kids.
He says it's people who are already struggling to make ends meet.
LISTEN ABOVE

Ricardo Menéndez March: Green Party Social Development Spokesperson on the government's fuel relief package

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e0abf64d-2302-4fe9-96af-b417011db16f/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25 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 25 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: 25 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/445856cf-e615-4c79-9323-b417011a883b/transcript

Will Foley: Central Hawke's Bay Mayor on McCain's plans to close its Hastings vegetable processing plant

In 1 playlist(s)

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips