Barney Irvine
Huge unmet demand for hearing treatment
New research out today finds half a million people each year are not getting treatment for hearing conditions. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 6th August 2025
In today's episode, unemployment has edged to a near five-year high and there are now an extra 16,000 people without work compared to last year; The government is inching closer to replacing petrol… Audio
Amount of commercial and industrial waste sent to landfill drops
The amount of commercial and industrial waste being sent off to landfill has plummeted according to the latest snapshot of our waste and recycling habits. Waste and Recycling Industry Association's… Audio
Northern business leaders' 10-pt plan to fix electricity system
Business and energy leaders across the upper North Island have released their plan to overhaul the energy sector. Audio
Energy crisis cost economy $300m: analyst
Enerlytica's head of research John Kidd has crunched numbers, including MBIE data, to reach his estimate. Figures show a 10 per cent drop in industrial electricity use for the June to September… Audio
Aucklanders at peace with congestion charges
Motorists in Tamaki Makaurau will no doubt agree that traffic congestion is one of the city's biggest problems. Northern Infrastructure Forum Executive Director, Barney Irvine speaks to Mark. Audio
Old recycling system binned as standardisation rolled out nationwide
Finally, there is consensus on recycling, or almost. Audio
Auckland considering congestion charge
A proposed congestion charge for motorists in central Auckland is being welcomed by road users who have waited years for a solution to the city's traffic woes.
A levy of $3.50 levy during peak… Audio
AA wants more information about congestion charges
AA Principal Advisor for Infrastructure Barney Irvine wants transparency around charges aimed at reducing traffic. Audio
Auckland's Harbour bridge may take weeks to repair
Auckland's Harbour Bridge may take weeks to repair. The Panel speaks to Barney Irvine, AA's Principal Advisor for Infrastructure and Auckland Transport. Audio
Battle over decision to lower speed limit to 30k/hr
The decision to lower the speed limit to 30 kilometres an hour in most of central Auckland is being greeted as long-overdue and transformative by some, a threat to productivity and another blow to… Audio
Concern over plans to sell Auckland carparks
Auckland Council is considering selling off inner city carpark buildings to help pay its half share of a projected billion-dollar budget blowout for Auckland's City Rail Link. The massive blowout in… Audio
Auckland regional fuel tax: Will it work? AA responds
Auckland councillors have voted to bring in a 11.5c/l regional fuel tax. But could the oil company practice of price-spreading mean that it's motorists throughout the country who end up paying the… Audio
Auckland fuel tax: 'We're basically blackmailed' - Cooper
Auckland Council decides on Monday if it will press ahead with a regional fuel tax to help free up the city's gridlocked roads but critics are denouncing the move as too rushed and short on detail… Audio
Electric cars: Growing sales hits road funding - AA
The Automobile Association says funding for roads will be severely depleted in coming years as more electric and fuel-efficient cars hit the road. Almost all of the government kitty for roading comes… Audio
AA welcomes 110km/h on NZ's best roads
The Government has confirmed speed limits on some of the main expressways will be lifted to 110km/h. The Automobile Association's Barney Irvine says it's a welcome advancement. Audio
Cars everywhere not getting anywhere fast
The AAs Barney Irvine discusses what transit lanes are all about and how to use them. . Audio
Congestion charges touted for Auckland's traffic woes
Congestion charges are being touted as a way to ease Auckland's traffic woes. The Government and Auckland Council yesterday announced the Smarter Transport Pricing Project which will investigate… Audio
Goff: What now if no regional fuel tax?
The Government has crushed the Auckland mayor's hopes of raising funds for transport projects through a regional fuel tax, once and for all. Audio
AA says motorists sceptical over road charging plans
In a major U-turn road tolling in Auckland is now on the government agenda with Transport Minister Simon Bridges saying motorists could pay to use roads at peak times in order to reduce congestion… Audio
