Listen to The Country: Shane Jones on failed ETS auctions and regional council reform

Resources Minister Shane Jones spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Today on The Country radio show, host Jamie Mackay catches up with Resources Minister Shane Jones.

Jones discusses 2025’s failed ETS auctions, the “ideological hysteria” of regional councils, and selling state assets.

On with the show:

Miles Hurrell:

Fonterra’s chief executive announces the co-operative group’s FY26 Q1 business update:

• Total group profit after tax: $278 million, up $15m
• Continuing operations profit after tax: $158m, down $10m
• FY26 forecast earnings for continuing operations: 45-65 cents per share
• 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price: $9.00-$10.00 per kgMS, with midpoint of $9.50/kgMS

Shane Jones:

Last time we yarned, he coined the phrase “a demonic egg beater” when referring to Chlöe Swarbrick.

What will he call her today, and who will be in the firing line?

The man sometimes known as the Prince of the Provinces, or Mātua Shane, also tackles the failed ETS auctions of 2025, ridding us of the “green banshees” and regional councils, capping local body rates at 2-4%, and selling state assets, including Pāmu.

Barry Fox:

Live from the Temuka saleyards, we update the biggest sale of the year for the IHC Calf Scheme, with PGG Wrightson’s dairy livestock manager.

Chris Russell:

Our Australian correspondent talks rugby, cricket, The Country Hour and blowflies.

Listen below: