Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

There is excitement in Australia following confirmation its border is reopening to the world. International border restrictions will be lifted for anyone who's fully vaccinated in two weeks on February the 21st. However, states and territories will be able to keep their own cap and quarantine requirements in place. Australian correspondent Donna Demaio told Kate Hawkesby the news is being well received by tourism operators and the general public. “Tourism bodies have been begging for this for quite a while now. QANTAS chief Alan Joyce says it means Australia is finally back open for business.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data from the Beach and Coastal Safety Report - shows 30 per cent of New Zealanders cannot swim or float in the ocean for more than a few minutes. Our holiday drowning figures over summer were the worst in 40 years. Swimtastic swim coach, Mark Bone told Kate Hawkesby that's due to a lack of swimming lessons, the lockdown and the fantastic weather we've had. “I think we’re going to have a generation of kids that cannot swim well, that’s only kids and then you take the adults and they’re wanting to get out.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thoughts and prayers this morning to all the panickers who wanted the border shut forever and all the hermits who were loving Hermit Kingdom. It’s over. Thank goodness. Congrats to the Government for waking up to the fact that life actually does go on. That you can’t actually lock your citizens out forever, that you can’t keep Kiwis isolated from the rest of the world ad nauseum. There’ll be some displeasure from those with Stockholm Syndrome who bought so fiercely into the Government’s rhetoric and fear mongering, their wheels will be spinning now as they imagine the end of the world’s coming. And that’s the problem when you sign up for so much brainwashing over so much time, you lose the ability to think rationally, and to think for yourself. So, the Government’s got it right opening us back up, but what they’ve got wrong is the timeframe. July, another 6 months away, for international visitors who have visa waiver travel. And then not until October for everyone else. October. And are they expecting tourists to still self isolate in October? How many tourists do you reckon are booking a trip down under if they know they potentially have to spend the first 7 to 10 days of it holed up somewhere isolating? Here’s the irony of this ‘high trust model’ we’re bringing back in. For all the people arriving who’re off to self-isolate, how are they getting there? What’s the rule around public transport, taxis, trains, Ubers, buses and domestic flights if you’re self-isolating? The PM, when asked this, clearly hadn’t thought about it and didn’t know. She did however launch into a presumptive answer that “most people get picked up.” So welcome to New Zealand, here’s your Rapid Antigen Tests, go and self-isolate and oh by the way, I hope you’re getting picked up. We just assume you are because that’s what the PM thinks happens. She was also asked how appetising we are as a country in a red light setting, to which she replied that it's business as usual in a red light and visitors can enjoy our nature and hospitality. Well, the empty bars may have a different view on that, but we won't let facts get in the way of some good spin. Aviation groups aren’t happy. They say for as long as we have self-isolation, be it 10 or 7 days, we’ll be “off the radar for tourists, business travellers and airlines.” Justin Tie-Umbers, who we spoke to earlier, from NZ’s Board of Airline Representatives, he says “self-isolation requirements need to be removed as soon as possible, or some airlines will cut New Zealand from their routes for a third summer in row.” That’d be a death blow to the tourism industry and I don’t doubt the Government will be working hard to avoid that. But they’ve created a rod for their own backs haven't they? With a sustained programme of fear over two years, the people who subscribed to that will be feeling jittery. The real test now, is how effectively the Government walks all this back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are fear airlines may start losing interest in coming to New Zealand. A phased reopening of the border begins at the end of this month, without MIQ. But Board of Airline Representatives executive director, Justin Tighe Umbers told Kate Hawkesby, airlines won't be able to fill planes, because of the self-isolation requirement. He says airlines want to know by the end of the month if New Zealand will be open for business next summer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Andrew Little is being urged to wake up and smell the coffee over the state of our health workforce. A recruitment campaign to bring in intensive care nurses from overseas begins this week - two years after the start of the pandemic. In a radio interview speaking to Newstalk ZB's Heather Du Plessis-Allan yesterday, Little refused to admit there's an urgent need for doctors and nurses. Medrecruit owner Sam Hazledine says told Kate Hawkesby there's no doubt we're in a crisis, and the Government's been too slow. “At this point in time, we need to stop congratulating ourselves and giving ourselve high fives and actually looking at the reality.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leehane Stowers was just 35 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and felt scared and in the dark as to what her best option was. "I had all these questions and was just being told no for everything, I didn't really have much understanding of what was going on." The Auckland woman, who is part Māori and part Samoan, is part of a group of people a new report shows are most at risk of dying from the cancer - the country's third most common. The research was included in a report from Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae - Breast Cancer Foundation National Register, titled 30,000 voices: Informing a better future for breast cancer in New Zealand and released today on World Cancer Day. The report, covering 30,000 patients diagnosed from 2003 to 2019, says despite significant improvements in overall survival rates, breast cancer remained deadlier for Māori, Pasifika, and younger women 10 years on from diagnosis. Pacific women are 52 per cent and Wāhine Māori 33 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer within 10 years than Pākehā. And Pacific women had the highest rate of stage 3 and 4 breast cancers and of HER2+ (a more aggressive subtype) cancers and more grade 3 tumours than all other ethnicities. Younger women, aged under 45, had a much lower 10-year survival rate, 82 per cent, than the 45-69 age group, at 89 per cent. Stowers' story spans six years, visits to multiple oncologists, numerous changes between the medication, and times when she had little understanding of what was going on. It was 2015 when Stowers was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the doctor walked into the room carrying cancer pamphlets, she started crying. He hadn't said anything, but she knew what would come next. She was only at the doctor's clinic to check an injury she thought was fitness-related, but a breast check found something she couldn't even feel. "I spent a whole month going in for more tests and no one really told me anything. When I found out there was also a cyst in the other breast, I asked if I could have both breasts removed and they said no, but they didn't explain why," she said. After being diagnosed, she had a mastectomy and fertility treatment and was offered the option of chemotherapy treatment but turned it down. "I was scared and didn't feel educated enough about it. I didn't think the chemo would guarantee anything, and thought radiation treatment would be less harsh." Stowers was given the all-clear, and three years of hormone treatments followed, until 2018 when she got a swollen abdomen. After a week in bed, she went to A&E where she was sent for an ultrasound. "The ultrasound found a mass on my liver and I had to go through another month of tests before I found out my breast cancer had come back and spread to my liver," she said. "I didn't know what it meant when my oncologist told me it was terminal. He said I'd be put on palliative care and I'd just wait. He gave me the impression that I wasn't going to be around for much longer." Stowers saw another oncologist who diagnosed her with hypercalcemia, where her calcium levels were too high and at a life-threatening state, and she was placed on chemo. "This made me confused because no one had said before that chemo would work for me. Five months on that got me out of that situation, I think it saved my life," she said. She started on another hormone treatment, but after three months, her scans showed there was more disease progression. Another oncologist told her the hormone treatment wasn't working and she was given a low-dose chemo which she has been on weekly for the past six months "I'm feeling the most normal I've ever felt now, I didn't realise the hormone treatment was causing so many side effects." Stowers' scans just before Christmas showed that her cancer had decreased by over half. "I've lived another three years since I...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like a lot of people confined to NZ and unable to travel anywhere at the moment, we’re spending more time at home, and therefore spending more money on home.Collectively, this little country is spending phenomenal amounts of money on boats, renovations or adding a pool to the backyard. Anything to make being confined to home more enjoyable.We were stoked to not have a pool at our current place to be honest, we always found pools high maintenance costly experiences which never actually got used as much as you thought they would. Kids always promise to swim every day and then when you get a pool suddenly they’re too cold and don't want to. My husband reckoned cost per swim was about ten grand. He jokes, but they can sit empty and unused for many months, all the while you’re paying a fortune to maintain them. On top of that, many families travel during the summer school holidays so that’s lost time in the pool too. So we felt it wasn’t worth having one, especially when you live close to beaches.But post 2020, the world’s changed, we can't travel and so suddenly that expensive high maintenance pool you thought you never needed, is back in the fray. Especially if, like us, you have a large family who descend with their friends over summer.But guess when you can get a pool in, if you want one these days?In a year’s time, if you’re lucky. We got quotes from people already fully booked for this year, a couple of them thought they could possibly squeeze one in, but it was doubtful. I know of someone who was quoted 2024 before they got a shell with some water in their backyard.But it’s not just pools Kiwis are apparently signing up for, it’s also boats.A boat maker I know of said if you want a new boat built from scratch you’ll get that in 2025 at this stage.And that’s before we get to all the people renovating or building. There’s nothing like extended periods of lockdown to make you look around your house and find things that need fixing up.But here’s where things get really ugly: the supply chain.Not only do we have supply issues and construction material shortages, we also have price hikes. A builder we know told us to do a renovation at the moment would cost twice – if not more – what it would normally cost – because of the price hikes. So you’re paying double or more if you want a renovation done right now - and it’ll take twice as long. And there’s no sign of this abating, in fact it appears to be getting worse. I was reading that the lead time for Gib now is May or June. You’d think this would put a lot of people off, but if you’re already underway and the job starts to slow, what can you do?So I feel for those having to build or renovate right now - and actually the building industry itself. Projects sitting empty while builders sit on their hands waiting for supplies is painful, but what's just as painful, is when the bill comes in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A union is welcoming the proposed income insurance scheme - but wants minimum wage increases alongside it.The new scheme would mean someone who's made redundant or stopping work because of health issues could claim 80 percent of their income, for up to seven months.It would be funded by a 1.39 percent levy on both employers, and workers.E tū's Annie Newman told Kate Hawkesby there's a concern low paid workers won't be able to afford the levy - but a minimum wage increase would cover that.“We’ll be looking out for that increase in the minimum wage that should be happening on April the first this year, because we want to see a decent increase and a decent increase over time because this won’t kick in until 2023.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is reducing the wait time to get the Covid vaccination booster shot.From Friday, people will be able to get their shot three months after getting their second.Reducing the interval by one month means an extra one million people will now be eligible.University of Auckland modeller Dr Dion O'Neale joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tourism industry will be hoping for a clearer timeline on when New Zealand's border will fully reopen to everyone.Tourism Industry Aotearoa spokesperson Ann-Marie Johnson says it would be great for New Zealanders to be able to come back, and isolate at home.But she told Kate Hawkesby the tourism recovery won't begin until all holidaymakers can come here, with no self-isolation or MIQ.“Obviously you’re not going to want to spend the first week of your holiday, or the first ten days in self-isolation if you’re here for just a short time.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So how awkward was the RAT kit announcement yesterday – that the Goverment’s bought up 29 million more RATs from private company Kudu Spectrum. I mean great, don’t get me wrong, always great when much needed RATs are coming our way .. but super awkward when you’ve only got them because a private citizen (Sir Ian Taylor) hooked you up with the company who supplies them, and even then you waited two whole months to respond. Kudu Spectrum were offering millions of tests, at way cheaper prices, two months ago. So, they’d be here by now, and at a better price. But as usual, the Government was too slow, too tardy, and now we’re waiting, when they could’ve already been here. If only the private sector were taken seriously at the time, when they showed the wherewithal to be more organised than the Government. As I said yesterday, the private sector knows how to strategize, they’re smart, they’re awash with contacts and resources, why doesn’t this Government tap into them more often? And speaking of embarrassment, there’s only so much bad international press this Government will stand. I mean they hate bad press in general, but especially on a global scale. So no surprise to anyone that Charlotte Bellis has miraculously found herself not just an MIQ spot, but flight arrangements to go with it. It only took a very pervasive global social and mainstream media campaign, and threats of a lawsuit, to suddenly get the MIQ doors thrown open for her. The lawsuit, if you missed this development, was threatened after Chris Hipkins rather defensively and stupidly tried to shut down Bellis’s claims by releasing personal details of hers, which she did not give consent for him to share. Bellis also claimed the details Hipkins shared were not even true. Oh dear. So of course, she’s got a spot no worries. As for all the other pregnant women who can’t get wall to wall media and social media coverage, sorry, no deal. And that’s the tragedy of all this. Have a platform, make a song and dance, get a result. Surely the only message here is that unless you’re going to really publicly and internationally discredit and embarrass the Government, you’re not going to get a spot. So an awkward week so far for the Government. Shamed into buying more RAT’s - and buying them two months later than they could and should have, shamed by a pregnant Kiwi journo in Afghanistan who stuck it right up them on the world stage and got the result she needed – a capitulation from the power mad bureaucrats at MIQ and a ticket home. And tomorrow we potentially get the trifecta of shame, the announcement on reopening New Zealand. If the announcement is anything other than they’re opening the border, then this will be a very sorry week indeed for the Government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The push for pregnant women to get emergency places in managed isolation continues. Journalist Charlotte Bellis has now accepted an emergency MIQ spot. The offer was granted based on the risk factor of Bellis and her partner being in Afghanistan - rather than the need for time-critical scheduled treatment. College of Midwives chief Alison Eddy told Kate Hawkesby pregnancy should be a condition prioritised for MIQ. “It’s a very important and crucial time in your life and having the support that you need, your family around you, the right to be in your country to have all those things.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most first home buyers would probably be knocked off the property ladder, if they couldn't use their KiwiSaver for a deposit. The OECD has recommended blocking access to KiwiSaver for first time buyers, looking to raise a deposit. It says this would help cool the property market. First Home Buyers' Club director, Lesley Harris, told Kate Hawkesby well over 90 percent of first home buyers need to use their KiwiSaver. “They either have to have very, very wealthy parents and also a very income... or they just don’t buy a house until maybe they are 65.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More government money for childcare is being pushed as a way to help New Zealand services which are struggling financially. The New South Wales Government will be giving families a $500 voucher for each primary school child, to be spent on before and after school care. It aims to ease the burden of childcare and give people more options as they return to work. Out of School Care Network manager John Kennedy told Kate Hawkesby a similar policy would make a big difference to the industry here. “The Australian Treasurer said that part of the reason for the support was, of course, for childcare services in Australia doing it tough and I would say that is echoed here.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I really wanted to start this year with some positives and talk about what an improved and developed plan we had with Covid given all our experience now, and all we’ve seen unfold from overseas. But sadly, that’s not the case. This whole thing has a Groundhog Day vibe about it. I mean, how come we’re still, as we go into our third year of this pandemic, still being reactive and responding on the hoof. It beggars belief that lessons have not been learned, plans have not been made, preparations have not gotten into full swing. We are behind on RAT kits, way behind, it’s woeful, it’s the vaccine rollout all over again. We have no greater ICU capacity than when we started, in fact suggestions are we even have fewer ICU beds than when we started. We have not bolstered our health workforce, we have not advanced our tragic and cruel MIQ system, we have not boosted enough people or jabbed enough children, because again, we were too slow with our vaccine rollout. It just all feels so repetitive, doesn’t it? Why can’t they learn the lesson? Why is the Government so slow on the uptake? Why’d they take an elongated holiday when they should've been planning and sorting and preparing? Why are they so allergic to the private sector and reticent to include them more? Are they afraid of the private sector? Or are they just so arrogant now they think they know best, better than any established business? Most importantly, why are we still asking these questions? How can all the same mistakes still be made? If you hear from the Government, when they’ve bothered rolling back into the office from the beach, they’ll tell you they’re world leading. They’re faultless, blameless, it’s all perfect, we should be so proud of them. The fact they’re still peddling this crap and still in self-congratulatory mode also worries me. It’s delusional. They’re backwards focused. “We shut the borders in 2020, we did so well..” it’s all backward thinking, it’s two-year-old news. We are living in the here and now. How many businesses look at KPI’s or performance reviews and go, “Oh well it’s a bit of a mess at the moment but two years ago was really good.” No one does that, because it’s not real. It’s not relevant, it’s not honest. So why should we be expected to buy into that tosh from our government? Our Rapid Antigen Testing situation is embarrassing, our MIQ lottery is embarrassing, our hermit mentality is embarrassing, our lack of vaccination coverage for children and booster coverage is embarrassing. Our Covid response looks antiquated and fear driven, and stale. But if you listen to this Government and it’s cheerleaders, we should be over the moon about it. The disconnect here is actually beyond embarrassing, it’s tragic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised after an inquiry found that Downing St parties while Britain was in lockdown represented a "serious failure" to observe the standards expected of government or to heed the sacrifices made by millions of people during the pandemic. But Johnson brushed off calls to quit over the "Partygate" scandal, promising to reform the way his office is run and insisting that he and his government can be trusted. "I get it, and I will fix it," he said in Parliament after senior civil servant Sue Gray published interim findings on several gatherings in 2020 and 2021. Gray found that "failures of leadership and judgment" allowed events to occur that "should not have been allowed to take place." "The hardship under which citizens across the country worked, lived and sadly even died while observing the government's regulations and guidance rigorously are known only too well," Gray wrote. "Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify," she added. Gray's glimpse inside a 10 Downing St marked by excessive alcohol consumption and staff afraid to speak out about workplace problems are a blow to Johnson, despite the fact that Gray's conclusions relate to just four of the 16 events she investigated. Her findings on 12 other events have been withheld at the request of the police, who last week launched a criminal investigation into the most serious alleged breaches of coronavirus rules. The Metropolitan Police force said it had asked for Gray's report to omit the events being investigated by detectives "to avoid any prejudice to our investigation". Among the events under police investigation are a June 2020 birthday party for Johnson in Downing St and two gatherings held on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021 — a funeral at which the widowed Queen Elizabeth II had to sit alone. The cuts to Gray's report have led opponents to accuse Johnson of a whitewash. The allegations that the prime minister and his staff flouted restrictions imposed on the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus — holding "bring your own booze" office parties, birthday celebrations and "wine time Fridays" — have caused public anger, led some Conservative lawmakers to call for Johnson's resignation and triggered intense infighting inside the governing party. Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the British public had made "heart-wrenching sacrifices" and endured "a collective trauma" during the pandemic. "The prime minister took us all for fools," he said. "He held people's sacrifice in contempt. He showed himself unfit for office." Starmer said many British people "think the prime minister should do the decent thing and resign. Of course, he won't. Because he is a man without shame." Johnson can ignore opposition criticism, because the Conservatives have a large majority in Parliament. His fate rests on how Conservative lawmakers respond to his apology. Some previously said they would push for a no-confidence vote if Gray found Johnson was at serious fault or had misled Parliament. Johnson urged his critics to wait for the conclusions of the police investigation. But one Conservative legislator, Andrew Mitchell, said in the House of Commons that Johnson "no longer has my support." Former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May also was unimpressed. She said that either Johnson and those around him "had not read the rules, or didn't understand what they meant ... Or they didn't think the rules applied to them. Which was it?" Gray did not criticise the prime minister directly, but said "there is significant learning to be drawn from these events which must be addressed immediately across government". It's unclear whether Gray's...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employees across the country say their workplaces are trying to ban them from inter-regional travel, due to the Red traffic light setting. Of course, people can currently travel anywhere within New Zealand for any reason. Brett O'Riley, from the Employers and Manufacturers Association joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to alleviate stress in the entertainment industry, under the red traffic light settings. The country's biggest one-day music festival - Electric Avenue - is off due to Covid-19. Canterbury Employers' Chamber chief Leeann Watson told Kate Hawkesby they're advocating for subsidies to get the industry up and running. She says the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme doesn't cover losses for businesses further down the supply chain. “I think if they Government are going to continue to focus on restrictions, it really reinforces the need for them to put in place that targeted financial support.” Thousands have signed a petition demanding support payments for workers in the entertainment industry. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electric vehicles appear to be something that's staying. But this has some of our local mechanics and garages nervous as servicing an EV is a whole different kettle of fish. So UCOL, based in Manawatu, is launching a new course to train mechanics to deal with EVs. Senior lecturer Lance Funnell joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is highly regarded for so many things but good infrastructure would not be one of them.We’ve been starved of world-class public transport for too long and for too long now we have dragged the chain when it comes to keeping up with some of our closest neighbours.Other OECD countries including Turkey, have surged ahead of us while we’ve sat about celebrating Hobbits and All Blacks.Why is it that others have leapt ahead and developed what’s required for their communities while we pay consultants to spell out the bleeding obvious and ask them to decide for the government of the day?Last week I was telling you that we need governments to live within their means but how does any country keep up with what’s required for its people unless they build the demonstrably huge ticket items?As much as I have enjoyed our tiny population over my 53 years, sadly the greater consensus would be that we can only progress if we vastly increase our population. And so we are.Oddly enough, we still seem very appealing to so many even though they’re often stepping back in time when it comes to the antiquated infrastructure we have compared to where they emigrated from.I’m really excited to see the planned light rail projects in Auckland getting underway. I’m equally as excited to hear that a second harbour crossing is getting closer to reality as well.It’s been very interesting to hear the commentary regarding all of this in the past week… It would seem that the same people who slam governments for not keeping up with the times and building world-class infrastructure are the same commentators slamming them for getting the job done.I’ll be well into my 70’s when many of these big jobs are completed. I’m really looking forward to taking my grandchildren on the train trip to the airport on what will be New Zealand’s longest tunnel.Successive governments are going to spend our money anyway. I’m just stoked to see them spending it on something practical that in time people will learn to use and love; as they have in more developed and future focussed countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have expressed their "concerns" to Spotify over Covid-19 misinformation on the platform, joining a growing group of personalities putting pressure on the streaming service amid a dispute about Joe Rogan's controversial podcast.The pair first raised the issue last April and have continued to urge Spotify to root out misinformation, a spokesperson for their foundation, Archewell, said on Sunday.Their invention comes after Neil Young and Joni Mitchell both asked Spotify to pull their music from the platform, objecting to its popular "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast in which the host has made frequent false and inaccurate claims surrounding vaccines and Covid-19."Last April, our co-founders began expressing concerns to our partners at Spotify about the all too real consequences of COVID-19 misinformation on its platform," an Archewell spokesperson said in a statement. "We have continued to express our concerns to Spotify to ensure changes to its platform are made to help address this public health crisis.""We look to Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing our work together as it does," the spokesperson added. The statement did not specifically mention Rogan's show.CNN has contacted Spotify for comment, but has yet to receive a response.The Sussexes are among Spotify's most notable audio personalities, having announced an exclusive partnership with the service in December 2020. In a news release, Spotify said the pair "will host and produce podcasts that build community through shared experience, narratives, and values."The multi-year partnership with Spotify includes numerous programs, some hosted and others produced by the duke and duchess.Their reach is dwarfed by Rogan's popular show, which has long been a hit with listeners but has drawn scorn from the scientific community.Earlier this month, a group of more than 250 scientists, doctors and nurses penned an open letter to Spotify condemning the streamer for platforming Rogan and calling on Spotify to warn its listeners about misinformation. The host has suggested that healthy young people should not necessarily be vaccinated against Covid-19, and a recent episode with Jordan Peterson was also mocked for airing misinformation about climate change."Since the inception of Archewell, we have worked to address the real-time global misinformation crisis," a spokesperson for the foundation said. "Hundreds of millions of people are affected by the serious harms of rampant mis- and disinformation every day."- by Max Foster, Vasco Cotovio and Rob Picheta, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's done it.Rafael Nadal has cemented a legacy as the greatest male tennis player of all time after he won his second Australian Open crown in an unforgettable marathon final against Daniil Medvedev.As the clock went past 3am (NZT) on Monday morning and the match ticked over the five hour mark, an exhausted Nadal served out his fairy tale comeback win 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 — sending Rod Laver Arena into pandemoniumJim Courier said on TV the victory "re-writes history" as Nadal broke the deadlock of 20 grand slams he shared with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.He is now the only male player ever to win 21 slams.He had to go to hell and back to do it.Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Daniil Medvedev. Photo / APMedvedev appeared well on his way to a straight sets victory after he broke Nadal's heart in a rollercoaster second set tiebreak.But Nadal responded as all the great champions do to win the next two sets.In the fifth set the drama got plain silly.Nadal was broken trying to serve the match out at 5-4, but then showed incredible mental strength to come out two service games later and land the decisive blow that gave him an opportunity to come out and serve for the match.He did exactly that.Rafael Nadal, right, of Spain is congratulated by Daniil Medvedev of Russia following his win in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne. Photo / APIt was a contest Todd Woodbridge said will go down as one of the greatest tennis matches of all time and the 5hr 25mins battle set a record as the second longest Aussie Open final ever — the longest since the 5hs 53mins final between Nadal and Djokovic in 2012.The triumph will go down as one of his most iconic victories – less than two months after he thought a long-term foot injury may have forced him to retire.Now the fairy tale is complete.At 35 years and 241 days, Nadal is now the fourth-oldest winner of the Australian Open in the Open Era. Legendary status 💪#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/7uDDds3x7z— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022 The victory also means Nadal is the fourth man ever, after Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson, to win all four slams twice for his career.It's easy to see why he is — for now at least — tennis' GOAT.He showed all the sporting class expected of his unique position in history when he delivered a victory speech of immense class."It has been one of the most emotional matches of my tennis career and to share the court with you is just an honour," he said firstly to Medvedev."So all of the best in the future."He then needed a quick moment to compose himself before he began to try to explain how much the win means to him."I even don't know what to say. It is just amazing," he said."A month-and-a-half ago I didn't know if I would be back on the Tour playing tennis again and today I am here in front of all of you having this trophy with me."You don't know how much I fought to be here. I can't thank enough all of the support I received since I arrived here. You are just amazing. Thank you for the love and the support."Without a doubt probably one of the most emotional ones in my tennis career and having the huge support that I received during the three weeks, it is just going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life. So many, many thanks." There has been some outstanding tennis played at this year’s #AusOpen and the finals were exceptional. Congratulations to @ashbarty for an amazing performance in front of her home crowd and to Danielle Collins for an incredible tournament. pic.twitter.com/qM3pcDnAeL— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 30, 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour can't believe the Taliban is being more helpful to a pregnant Kiwi journalist than her own Government.Charlotte Bellis has sought asylum in Afghanistan after a failed emergency MIQ bid had her turn to the Taliban for help.Act Party leader David Seymour told Roman Travers you just can't make this up.“New Zealanders are now being given asylum from the Taliban because our own government is so mean spirited.”David Seymour says the Government should've continued with its plan to reopen the border, which is what Bellis had planned around.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anxiety about Omicron as schools prepare to welcome back students for the start of Term One.Most students are returning this week under the Red Traffic Light setting.Teachers and students in years four and up will need to wear masks indoors, and teachers must be vaccinated.President of primary teachers' union NZEI Liam Rutherford told Roman Travers while school closures will be rare, it's unclear what school will look like when more people are identified as close contacts.“Schools are bracing themselves for how you keep your school open when you’ve got a large chunk of your staff or a large chunk of your students all close contacts or with Covid.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know how easy it is to spend other people‘s money right? Children and politicians are experts at it. Most of us were confronted with yesterday's news regarding the rate of inflation and the impending impact we can expect to see on just about everything we purchase. My grandfather told my mother - who also told all of her seven children that if you don’t have the money in your pocket - you can’t afford it. Clearly that doesn’t apply to the purchase of something essential like somewhere to live. But perhaps if more of us were to live within our means instead of that constant hedonistic desire to keep up with everybody else hellbent on having the latest of everything, the country might be in a better place. Or would it? Maybe if we had a government that was more honest about our financial situation and less inclined to spend other people’s money on questionably unessential frivolities, we might be in a better position. We are constantly reassured that the country is in a good place by Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson, and yet most of us are like possums in the headlights of an oncoming Land Rover Defender at any significant changes to the CPI, inflation and interest rates; with many taking the hit head on. The very people we voted in to help guide us through the tough times we're knee deep in, are the very people whose only mission appears to be in getting re-elected so the frivolous spending can continue. Wouldn’t you love a government that lived within its means as you and I are trying to do? Wouldn't you love a government that was fully accountable for it's decisions as you and I are in our lives? Those of us that work really hard just to afford a moderate life with the odd bit of fun, continue to be used as human ATMs for ministers of the crown who appear to think that hard work equates to hard times in the debating chamber.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are concerned how distracted drivers are, as Auckland, Nelson and Marlborough all head into long weekends. One Queenstown police officer sitting in a visible marked car issued 23 infringements for drivers using their phone in just eight hours. Caroline Perry, from the road safety charity 'Brake' joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ash Barty was the crowd favourite at Melbourne Park long before she ended a 42-year drought by reaching the Australian Open final. Danielle Collins said it'll be "spectacular" to take on the women's No. 1-ranked player in the final of her home Grand Slam event on Saturday. The 28-year-old American got a little taste of what to expect in her first Grand Slam final as she left the court on Thursday following her 6-4, 6-1 semifinal win over seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek. Barty beat Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in 62 minutes in the first of the semifinals, and Collins wrapped up the night by beating 2020 French Open champion Swiatek in 78 minutes. Predictably, there were boos after Collins finished her on-court TV interview. Not too loud or long, but an indication of things to come nonetheless. Barty won her first major title on clay at Roland Garros in 2019 and her second on grass at Wimbledon last year. Now that she's become the first Australian woman into the final here since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, Barty has a good chance to claim her first on a hard court. She's only too aware, though, that no Australian woman since Chris O'Neil in 1978 has won the singles title here. "As an Aussie, we're exceptionally spoiled we get to play in our own backyard," the 25-year-old Barty said. "Now we have a chance to play for a title. It's unreal." Barty lost to eventual champion Sofia Kenin in 2020 the last time she reached the Australian Open semifinals. She said she's learned from that kind of pressure as much as winning other Grand Slams. "Absolutely embrace it," she said of the home expectations. "You have to. It's fun. It's brilliant to be playing in the business end of your home Slam. I'm not gonna lie about that — it's amazing." Keys is just the latest in a line of rivals to explain how she had few answers to Barty's slice backhand and wide variety of serves. Barty hit 20 winners to only eight for Keys, who was playing in the Australian Open semifinals for the first time since 2015. She lost that year to eventual champion Serena Williams, who was the last No. 1 seed to win the women's title at Melbourne Park. Barty converted four of her six break-point opportunities and saved the only two break points she faced on her serve against the 2017 U.S. Open champion runner-up. In six matches so far at the tournament, she has dropped one service game. The 27th-seeded Collins relies on a power game and imposes a relentless energy on every contest. Her forehand cross-court winner to set up her first match points was typical of her semifinal form. She hit 27 winners and had only 13 unforced errors. She opened each set with a break of serve and raced to 4-0 leads both times. Collins delayed her professional career by playing in the U.S. college system, and said it gave her a good grounding in handling what she calls "adverse" crowds. Playing in empty stadiums during the COVID-19 pandemic has given her an appreciation of crowds, whether the fans support her, are against her or are neutral. "That's something that I really thrive in, whether I have a full crowd going for me or whether I have the opposite," she said. "I really just love the energy. I'm just really excited to go out there and compete. "I realise that there is going to be a lot of people supporting Ash. It's all in good spirit." Collins' run to the semifinals in 2019 was her best previous result at a Grand Slam tournament. After undergoing surgery last year to treat endometriosis, she's in less pain and said she's in better shape to win. Keys was on a career-best 10-match winning streak ahead of the semifinals, including a run to the title in a tune-up tournament in Adelaide — her first WTA title since 2019. Her full tally of 11 match wins this month already equals her total for 2021, when she dropped into the 50s in the rankings. She's expected to return to the top 30 next...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has risen in the 1News Kantar poll, but the right bloc still doesn't have the numbers to govern. National leader Chris Luxon polled 17 percent for preferred Prime Minister, up 13 while support for the party is at 32 percent - up four points. Jacinda Ardern has dropped four percent to 35, while her party has dropped one to 40 percent. Act's David Seymour is also down, now at six percent for preferred Prime Minister and his party is down three percent to 11. The Greens are steady on nine percent. Former National Party advisor Brigitte Morten told Roman Travers the party has to rebuild trust so it's a good, steady start. “They need to win back that middle, but getting back some of the trust of voters who previously might have voted for them and bringing them back on side is obviously a good thing.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has given Moscow its written response aimed at deterring a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday. Blinken said the US response to Russia "sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it," telling reporters Wednesday that he expects to have a follow-up discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the coming days now that the document has been received in Moscow. The response was delivered in person to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan. The written document is intended to address concerns Moscow has publicly released and to outline areas where the US has said it sees potential for progress with Russia -- arms control, transparency and stability, the top US diplomat told reporters at the State Department. "The document we've delivered includes concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia's actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground," Blinken said. It's not yet clear whether the latest diplomatic overture, which Moscow had sought, will change the course of talks between Russia and the West that have continued over the past several weeks. US officials have said that Russia has shown no signs of de-escalation and they have warned that an invasion could be imminent as Moscow masses tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border. The US has repeatedly said Russian President Vladimir Putin's central demand -- that the US and NATO commit to never admitting Ukraine to the alliance -- is simply a nonstarter. While Blinken declined to detail specifics presented to Moscow, he said the US response reiterated the West's public response to uphold NATO's "open-door policy" rejecting Moscow's demands that NATO commit to never admitting Ukraine. "There is no change. There will be no change," Blinken said of US and NATO support of the alliance's open-door policy. "We make clear that there are core principles that we are committed to uphold and defend, including Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of states to choose their own security arrangements and alliances," he added. The ball is now in Russia's court, Blinken said Wednesday. "I think there are important things to work with if Russia is serious about working. And that is up to President Putin. We'll see how they respond," he said. 'Not a formal negotiating document' President Joe Biden was "intimately involved" in the US written response to Moscow, Blinken said. "We reviewed it with him repeatedly over the last weeks, just as we were getting, as you know, comments, input, ideas from allies and partners," Blinken said in response to a question from CNN's Kylie Atwood. Blinken contended that the document, which was delivered Wednesday, is "not a formal negotiating document." "It's not explicit proposals. It lays out the areas and some ideas of how we can together, if they're serious, advance collective security," he said. Blinken underscored that the US response was "fully coordinated with Ukraine and our European allies and partners," and a source familiar said Ukraine had received a copy of the US document. Blinken said the document had been shared with Congress and that he would brief congressional leaders later Wednesday. He said the US would not release its document publicly, "because we think that diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks." "We hope and expect that Russia will have the same view and will take our proposal seriously," Blinken said, adding, "there should be no doubt about our seriousness of purpose when it comes to diplomacy." However, US officials have acknowledged there is a...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’ll get to hear more about the Consumer Price Index and inflation from those who have those specific crystal balls. Regardless of the words you’ll hear from them; for you and I, it may simply be a message of forecasted and forewarned, impending doom. What will this mean to those of us with significant debt? Only you and your bank will be privy to the increased outgoings to their overseas vaults; but expect to see everything increase in price. Sadly, for some, even items like cheese, currently sitting at about 12 to 15 dollars a kilo will become a luxury. With petrol forecast to hit and possibly exceed 3 dollars a litre, running a business and road trips to see Great Aunt Fanny in Fairlie may also become unachievable. For those that who've already seen life’s wheels fall off and now live on the streets; I’m picking they didn’t dream of that life choice. Sadly for many of us, their presence remains ignorable; an incorporeal inconvenience as we rush off to another of life’s deadlines. There is something worse than the gradual decline in our society - and those that chose to ride that slide, asking others to fix everything for them. What’s worse is a society that chooses to ignore genuine need and assimilates that genuine need with those that choose it. The precarious position many find themselves in now, potentially on the cusp of falling further away from a life dreamt of; with today's impending financial news a determining factor, is largely due to forces beyond our control and our love of the free market. Almost nothing other than primary produce leaves our shores for the insatiable markets of our biggest trading partners. The very food reaching record prices and stretching beyond the reach of many here. How is it that we are loved internationally for everything that others want made in New Zealand, and yet the demonstrable gap that divides those that have and those that have nothing looks almost beyond repair? This economic ship may well have sailed, but it’s time the crew of The Good Ship Aotearoa found their voices and demanded greater control of a destiny once collectively dreamed of.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seniors are being told it's a time to connect, rather than isolate. Some experts think the elderly should hunker down, and put themselves into a lockdown because of how previous outbreaks have affected the elderly and rest homes. Age Concern CEO, Stephanie Clare, Roman Travers, older people should get boosted and wear a mask when they leave the house. She says the Government's not asking people to isolate themselves. “Stay connected, if you have any questions about that, give someone a call. It’s not about looking after yourself, by yourself.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National wants the Government to take its own stand against Russia. There are still an estimated 100,000 Russian troops massed near the Ukraine border, but Russia is denying it's planning an assault. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is recommending any New Zealander in Ukraine, whose presence isn't essential, should consider leaving. National Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee told Roman Travers the New Zealand Government can't do anything thing legally, due to it being dependent on the UN. “We need a law in New Zealand that lets New Zealand actually make legal decisions that would be part of any international effort to isolate Russia.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials continue to be accused of hoarding rapid antigen tests. A number of businesses say their orders have been seconded by the Ministry of Health. But the Ministry rejects those claims, and says it's only "consolidating" orders heading into the country. Employers and Manufacturers Association Chief Executive Brett O'Riley says Roman Travers it's not fair. “Because they’ve taken up a lot of the supply in the New Zealand market, that’s taken away orders that have been placed for business that now no longer can be filled.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And so, the Far North remains the under performer when it comes to getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Does anyone really have any firm grasp on why the uptake is so poor? Does anyone really want to see more funding poured into an area of the country that has access to all the forms of communication that we all enjoy – or tolerate – around the rest of the country? Te Tai Tokerau is not served well by its leaders – or are they simply being ignored? You once again have Hone Harewera yesterday talking about further roadblocks for Northland vainly attempting to do the right thing for his people. But that’s one voice. You have to ask just what on earth anyone can now do to ensure that The Far North inoculation rates get up there in the high 90s as they have elsewhere. Currently, 89 percent of the region’s 12 year old plus population have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 86 per cent have received two doses. But for Māori here, the poor uptake is concerning: 85 per cent have one shot on board and only 79 percent two shots. If you’re listening to me from The Far North and you’re not vaccinated for reasons of apathy, then get your skates on today. Rattle your dags and get vaccinated today. If there continues to be a vacuum of common sense from within the leadership you respect, then who is it you need to hear from in order to protect yourself and your loved ones? You may no longer prove to be a handbrake on New Zealand’s economy, but you will undoubtedly be the reason why your already meagre health service will unnecessarily be under the pump. Ask yourself if you’re happy to see the doctors and nurses that work tirelessly now – completely exhausted and exacerbated by your privileged, vague and baseless position. You’ve been told what’s coming. You can see how stretched our system will become. If you can’t be bothered getting vaccinated for yourself – then do it for those who would rather not be treating you. Please.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the couple of days since New Zealand went to red, it has been a logistical nightmare for event organisers. Numerous events have been cancelled around the country, due to size restrictions or it just being logistically too difficult. But some events will be going ahead despite the extra challenges. Sue Wilson is the Event Manager of the East Coast Farming Expo and she joined Roman Travers. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mask manufacturer thinks new rules around face coverings should go even further. The Government's tightening rules around mask wearing. From tomorrow week, they'll be required in all food and drink venues, close-proximity businesses, events and gatherings. And face coverings must be an actual mask as opposed to scarves, bandannas or T-shirts pulled up over the face. Any workers covered by a vaccine mandate will be required to wear a surgical-grade or N95 mask. But Nick Davenport, founder of mask manufacturer Lanaco, told Roman Travers that should go for everyone. “I think it’s a little informed decision and the information behind it and the science behind it differs from the policy that’s been offered.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-truckies are being asked to come out of retirement or do part-time work in the event of permanent drivers catching Omicron. There have been shortages of food in Australia, because truckies have fallen ill and haven't been able to transport goods around the country. Transporting New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett says Roman Travers driving a large truck takes a lot of skill so it takes years to train people. He says they're trying to build a list of relief drivers who could be called on in an emergency. "Maybe doing another job, they maybe used to drive or are working another sector. They could lend themselves, just with a shift here and there.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been forced to apologise live on air after saying people “aren’t dying” from Covid-19, despite record breaking death statistics.For much of the pandemic, Australia has been the envy of the rest of the world for how it kept Covid-19 at bay and fatalities low.But, while NSW and Victoria are likely over the peak of their Omicron wave, both the United States and Europe have issued a stark warning to residents urging them not to travel to Australia.When asked whether Australia could still say it was the “envy of the world” when by the European Council and the US Centre for Disease Control have both labelled the country as “danger zones”, Mr Joyce said Australia could still take pride in the way it had handled the pandemic.“People aren’t dying,” Mr Joyce told RN Breakfast.He was immediately picked up on the point by host Patricia Karvelas who said “people are dying. People are dying every day”.Mr Joyce immediately sought to cover his tracks and apologised.“Sorry, sorry sorry. Yes, you are correct, I shouldn’t have said that,” he said.“But the number in which – the fatality rate is very low.“Obviously that is a tragic thing for anybody … (to die) for any reason – for catching the flu. But the fatality rate of Omicron is remarkably low and Australia has done a remarkable job.”Since January 1, 891 people have died with Covid-19.Mr Joyce said for “most people” who were diagnosed with Covid-19 and double-vaccinated, they would get a “mild illness” like he had.“For me, it was a couple days of something pretty mild. And I was pretty lucky. (I know) it’s not for everyone,” he said.Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said people were in fact dying “in record numbers”.Mr Joyce also came under fire for his comments about rapid antigen tests, suggesting Australians were hoarding the kits – prolonging the shortage as the concession scheme begins.From Monday, 6.6 million Australians with a concession card are eligible for free rapid antigen tests from their chemist. These are capped at ten tests over three months, with a maximum of five in a month.But, pharmacies are pleading with people to be patient with not enough testing kits available for circulation.Mr Joyce said part of the problem was people buying more tests than they needed.“People have been buying not what they require, but more than they need,” he told RN.“We have 16 million tests turning up by the end of the months … We have 70 million on order.“It is not as if the tests aren’t there. The problems that Australia is experiencing is being experienced around the world.”Mr Albanese clapped back during his own interview, saying it was “extraordinary” for Mr Joyce to blame Australians for the unavailability of the tests.“We all knew that once we opened up the increased number of infections, elimination tests would be an important part of the response to keep people safe, and the government simply didn’t do anything about it,” Mr Albanese said.- By Ellen Ransley, news.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know the saying… never wake a sleeping dragon? Well it appears that we have - and the sleeping inflation dragon is well and truly awake.Later this week; we’ll get to see the latest update on the country’s financial data – and it’s expected to show inflation in 2021 ran at its highest level in over 30 years.The Consumers Price Index is expected to rise by 1.3 percent for the December quarter, coupled with inflation that accelerated to 6.0 percent.The highest inflation in more than 30 years? Many of us have never experienced this kind of leap in the cost of everything.The only way to appease this waking inflation dragon would be for The Reserve Bank to take some pretty hefty and aggressive action. But will they?Some economists have said that the country is in the midst of "a perfect storm" of inflation pressures, but that much of the CPI's increase will be a result of offshore factors.It’s a huge concern just how dependent we are as a nation on the fluctuations of the vagaries of the overseas markets. But that’s the bed we’ve been making so well over the past three or four decades.The Consumer Price Index is something we all need to keep an eye on. After peaking at close to 6.3 per cent in early this year, annual CPI inflation is then expected to cool, but remain above the 1 to 3 percent inflation target until late 2023.The real message here is that none of us want to be caught with our shorts round our ankles and financial institutions – once keen to lend you whatever you wanted – will be the first to disown you faster than a flock of Facebook friends.The writing is on the wall – and that wall is a very real roadblock to the future plans of many good, hard working New Zealanders… both the employers and the employees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The travel bubble between the Cook Islands and New Zealand will remain open despite our Omicron outbreak.The Cook Islands held an emergency cabinet meeting last night.There is a new restriction though - no unvaccinated people will be allowed entry from Thursday.Robert Skews, the managing director of the Turama Pacific Travel Group told Roman Travers the news is a huge relief.“70 percent of our revenue here in the Cooks is derived from tourism and so after two years we’re a little bit desperate.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're being urged to think of others - as we prepare our pantries and medicine cabinets for the months ahead.Supermarkets report pressure on products like toilet paper, following the confirmation the Omicron outbreak on Sunday.Food, groceries and medicines could also become harder to come by, as case numbers rise.Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson told Roman Travers while consumers are stocking up, they should remember others who can't.“I do understand families needing to go out and protect themselves from what might just happen. Many, many thousands of New Zealanders just don’t have that luxury.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prices are expected to rise for consumers as Omicron spreads.The latest Consumer Price Index is due out on Thursday morning.ANZ economist, Finn Robinson, told Roman Travers he thinks inflation will be between 5.5 and 6.5 percent for the year to December.He says Omicron will hit us in the pocket because a huge chunk of the workforce will probably have to isolate, like overseas.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And so here we are; waking up in the glow of red lights across the whole country.What does this mean for most of us? Well affectively nothing really has changed apart from the inability to gather in mobs of more than 100 which will serve good purpose in trying to prevent the stupidity of the Brian Tamaki followers across the country’s main centres and their messianistic treatment of a nobody and his attempt to be somebody.Other than that the only thing that I’ve seen change in the last day is again the ridiculous propensity for people to go apoplectic in the supermarket even though we are told we don’t need to.The real concern I have is that we may well see the current Government moving further away from the recommendations of the science community as demonstrated in the comments by certain epidemiologists who say that the red light system is not enough to reduce the spread of the Omicron strain.The only great saviour for us all is the vaccination and the third shot, which at best is 75 per cent affective in the face of Omicron. It’s the only thing that will enable us to get back to some form of normality while we wait for other countries to get to the same level.The other concern I have is the news we heard over the weekend that the Government’s Covid-19 fund does not have the finances to purchase a fourth vaccine if it’s required.The Government have told us they will find the money for it if that eventuates, but is this a way of bracing us for a further reduction in spending in the many other areas of need demonstrable across the country?Undoubtedly we can’t take our focus of the pandemic; but what about everything else that’s being overlooked in something of a convenient distraction for a government that seems bereft of ability to improve anything else other than our Covid response?We have to prepare for the eventuality that as soon as travel becomes easier, we are set to lose a great deal of skilled people to our cousins across the ditch and further afield.Getting anything done in New Zealand is about to get a whole lot harder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Open quarter-finalist Denis Shapovalov is embracing being part of Canada’s tennis uprising as his strong – but complicated – start to the year continues.Shapovalov scored one of the best wins of his career on Sunday, ousting third-seeded German Alex Zverev in straight sets in a result with major Australian Open title ramifications.The 2021 Wimbledon semi-finalist’s 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 defeat of Zverev, in their first grand slam clash, was his third win in their past four meetings.Shapovalov, 22, helped Canada win the ATP Cup in the first week of the year, alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime, who will try to emulate his countryman’s last-eight effort against Marin Cilic on Monday.That followed Shapovalov recovering from his Covid-19 diagnosis on arrival in Australia, and he has survived a number of tense matches to make it this far.Only Milos Raonic and Michael Belkin had ever reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne among Canadian men in the Open Era, before 14th-seeded Shapovalov matched them on Sunday.“I think what we’ve been doing has been amazing, especially with the start of the season, for Canada, lifting probably the first team title in tennis in history,” Shapovalov said.“It’s not a super-easy time in Canada right now, so hopefully it’s just shedding a little bit of light and people have something to watch and cheer for and follow.“It’s great to be doing it alongside a guy like Felix, who’s obviously a remarkable player as well, and we’ve come up from the juniors together. It’s a pretty special story, I think.”With Novak Djokovic not in the tournament, this was supposed to be an opportunity for Zverev to break his grand slam duck after a six-title season in 2021 that included the ATP Finals.Instead, the 24-year-old exits another grand slam without a top-10 scalp and still in search of a career-defining triumph.Zverev said afterwards he arrived in Melbourne on the hunt for the Australian Open title and with a goal to overtake Djokovic at the top of the men’s game but that such talk was “very silly” now.Reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev now looms as the clear player to beat, even with Shapovalov’s next opponent, Rafael Nadal, still in the draw.“It’s always an honour to go up against a guy like Rafa,” Shapovalov said.“We played not too long ago in an exhibition (in Abu Dhabi in December) – completely different conditions, completely different match, but it’s always fun.”- by Marc McGowan, news.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could be a crucial week for Boris Johnson in his battle to stay in power.The British Prime Minister has been under pressure for weeks over alleged summer garden parties and Christmas gatherings held in Downing Street when the rest of the country was under strict Covid-19 lockdowns. A report into the allegations, set to be released this week, could be the final straw for Johnson's increasingly mutinous party.Johnson's approval ratings are plunging and there appears to be a growing sense among some parts of his ruling Conservative Party that he is becoming a liability. Two polls in the last week suggested that as many as two-thirds of voters want him to resign.The parliamentary rebellion is growing. One Conservative MP defected to the opposition Labour Party last week and newspapers have reported rumors of more lawmakers demanding Johnson's exit.The Prime Minister has given unconvincing answers when asked about the numerous parties. First he said there were none. Once undeniable evidence emerged, he denied knowing about the gatherings. When a photo of him at one such event was published, he insisted he didn't realize the gathering was a party, claiming he "believed implicitly that this was a work event."Johnson was even forced to apologize to the Queen after it emerged that a party was held in Downing Street the night before the funeral of Prince Philip. It was noted at the time that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Queen was forced to mourn her husband at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle while sitting alone.Adding fuel to the fire, Johnson's former senior adviser Dominic Cummings claimed this week he would swear under oath that the Prime Minister was warned about the true nature of one of the drinks parties. Johnson denied that vehemently, saying: "Nobody warned me that it was against the rules... because I would remember that."As new "Partygate" allegations emerged, Johnson and his loyalists tried to dismiss them as a "distraction," steering the conversation away. Johnson has launched an inquiry into the gatherings, led by senior civil servant Sue Gray, whose report is due to come out this week, according to media reports.Downing Street said on Sunday it had no control over when the report would appear. "It's not for us to set out when it will be published. That is up to the investigation team," a spokesperson told CNN.On Thursday, as more Conservative lawmakers openly criticized the PM about the parties, allegations emerged of blackmail and bullying by government officials.Conservative MP William Wragg said Thursday that "a number of members of parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the Prime Minister."Wragg told the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee that the reports he has been made aware of "would seem to constitute blackmail."Johnson dismissed the reports of bullying, saying he has "seen no evidence" to support accusations of intimidation leveled at his government by a Conservative lawmaker.Under Conservative party rules, if MPs want to get rid of their leader, they submit a confidential letter of no confidence to the chair of the 1922 Committee, a group of backbench MPs who do not hold government posts. The process is murky -- the letters are kept secret and the chairman, Graham Brady, doesn't even reveal how many have been handed in.When 15% of Conservative lawmakers have submitted letters, it triggers a vote of confidence among all Conservative lawmakers.- by Ivana Kottasová, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Luxon says greater access to quicker Covid-19 tests and medicines that can treat the virus will be key to keeping goods flowing around the country.Supply chain issues are thought to be inevitable because around 350,000 workers may be isolating at one time.But the National Party leader says the Government needs to bring in more drugs that are effective against Covid-19.He told Roman Travers officials need to chase down more rapid antigen and saliva tests.“If I had a Rolls-Royce engine crisis at Air New Zealand or when the fuel pipeline got dug up and we’re trying to run the airline with 30 per cent of the fuel, you are on these issues like literally every six hours.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The move to Red has sparked a string of event cancellations.Both the New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin and New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland have been cancelled.Auckland's Splore Festival, Christchurch's Great Kiwi Beer Festival and Sculpture on the Peninsula, Dunedin's Craft Beer and Food Festival, and parts of Wellington's Lunar New Year Festival have also been called off.Viv Beck, chief executive of Auckland's Heart of the City business association told Roman Travers it's not the news anyone wanted to hear.“Events have been really a saviour last year, so it’s pretty devastating to see that all come apart now.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had a nice chat with three of the police manning the roadblock at Uretiti this morning. One was up from Nelson, another from Wellington and one was from Whangarei. Standing in the rain in the middle of the night, but still cheery and positive, even though it's a job no-one really wanted. It was nice to meet you guys, as I said to them, they're keeping the peace and that's part of the job. If police hadn't gone along with this, we'd have had chaos and confrontation and no one needs that. Coincidentally, it's the one-year anniversary of that shonky Ihumātao deal and you might see a connection between the two. Ihumātao was a piece of privately-owned land, bought by Fletchers for a housing development. Tangata whenua objected, occupied, and eventually got their way, forcing the Government to buy it. Taxpayers shelled out $30 million, with the promise there'd be some housing there, but of course a year on, what's happened? Not a thing. The Housing Minister says there was never any promise it would be a fast process to get houses built on the site. The message from the whole Ihumātao debacle was that if you stick to your line for long enough and occupy, illegally, you'll get your way. And that message has emboldened those who forced these roadblocks in the North. The police didn't want to do it and still don't want to be there. But the alternative would have been an illegal, and most likely very ugly obstruction, confrontations, without a doubt. So, to keep the peace, the Government bends over. And what message does that send?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new lick of paint is needed for town centres around the country. Dunedin architect Ian Butcher has criticised its city centre as tiresome, dull and uninteresting. Dulux colour specialist Davina Harper told Tim Dower most towns want to play it safe when they choose their colours. “Colour can be a little bit polarising, but I think they’re missing a real opportunity to add some personality and interest.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An immunologist is calling on the Government to bring forward the Covid booster shot timeframe. Ministers are set to meet today to discuss this exact issue, as New Zealand records its first case of the Omicron variant in MIQ in Christchurch. A third shot is currently only available to those who last had their second shot, at least six months ago. Malaghan Institute Director Dr Graham Le Gros, told Tim Dower with the new threat of Omicron, we should move the eligibility to five months. “It won’t be quite as good as the six month period, but at least it will stop the infection that this Omicron actually hospitalising people or making people sick.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.