ZB ZB
Sport
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

"Least risky approach": Businesses' survival at risk without support in transition from gas, minister says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 26 May 2026, 8:03am
Photo / Mark Mitchell
Photo / Mark Mitchell

"Least risky approach": Businesses' survival at risk without support in transition from gas, minister says

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 26 May 2026, 8:03am

Shane Jones says many businesses won't survive without help moving away from natural gas. 

The Government's setting money aside in Thursday's Budget to back loans for firms transitioning to other forms of energy. 

The Associate Energy Minister told Mike Hosking many industries reliant on natural gas have been seeing their energy costs surge. 

He says unless the Crown steps in, many face dire options and will fail. 

Recipients can transition to any other type – not necessarily renewable energy.   

Jones told Hosking it's up to each business what they use. 

He says some may go towards LPG, some to electricity if local lines company can cope, and some to coal. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you