Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Some interesting stuff has come out of Police Commissioner's session with the Justice Select Committee. Andrew Coster said we need to be careful about fixating on the gangs. When it comes to drugs and especially the big importers, he says discreet operators with global connections are the real problem. Coster says "90 per cent of people charged with importing, manufacturing, or dealing methamphetamine are not patched gang members.” He went on to say that in reality a gang member's lifestyle can be quite pitiful. They mostly deal drugs to support their own habits he says, and maybe have a bit left over to pay for petrol. Is he trying to make us feel sorry for them? I wonder if he's missed the point about the public's feelings over gangs. National's Mark Mitchell seems to have a better handle on that. He's appalled at the open warfare between gangs on his patch. And he says the public is sick of gang members taking over roads and public spaces, behaving as though they have licence to do what they want, quote unquote. And I think that's the point. If you or I have so much as an out of date warrant the police are all over us. Yet time after time we seen motorways blocked by processions of patched bikers. Burnouts in the streets and two-fingers to the rest of you, while the police stand there with their arms folded, watching it. New Zealanders should be able to feel safe going about their lawful business. Increasingly that is not the case, and it's happened on Cuddles' Coster's watch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only people who could cause Sandra Goudie to lose her job would be her constituents. The Thames-Coromandel Mayor doesn't want Pfizer's Covid-19 jab and has recently spoken to an Australian anti-vaccination group. A no-confidence motion in Goudie was considered yesterday, but decided against, given it would be meaningless. Local Government New Zealand President, Stuart Crosby, told Tim Dower mayors are elected by the whole region, and it's up to the community to decide on their performance. He says they're there to represent the community's position and have the best insight into local issues. “Look many councils have tried to do things like symbolic acts and votes of no confidence, but at the end of the day the mayors are there.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A war of words between Northland's best-known politicians, over the checkpoints being kept in place over summer. Police have confirmed they'll work with local iwi to keep checkpoints in place on State Highway 1 at Uretiti near Waipu, and on State Highway 12 near Maungaturoto. Commissioner Andrew Coster says 74 staff will work at the checkpoints each day, equating to about 300 officers over a weekly roster. Cabinet Minster Kelvin Davis says criticising the iwi organisations involved is racist. But New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters told Tim Dower, they should be open to criticism. “People are making demands, and they’ve been making them for quite a long time without any authority in the Māori world, or the European world, or according to our law.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The America's Cup may not return to Auckland, but a new sailing event could replace it. Under a new deal, Auckland and Lyttleton will host alternate events in the Sail GP sailing competition for four years from 2023. Christchurch was due to host a one-off Sail GP event next month, but organisers had to cancel it after failing to secure 160 MIQ spots. Sailing expert Chris Steele told Tim Dower both cities are now set to benefit. “It’s basically alongside the America’s Cup now at the pinnacle of the sport and obviously the America’s Cup is once every three years, Sail GP runs year-round so it’s definitely up there.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we're overdue a bit of honesty and openness on what's going on with the Auckland border. A bit of transparency. At the moment, we still have a hard border and if you've been through it, you'll have seen it's obviously a police operation. The actual checking as you go into and out of the contaminated zone could be done by a civilian with a little wand, I've also encountered uniformed soldiers. But it's clear the police are running things, and taking the opportunity to pull a few cars and trucks over for regular road safety checks. All very much in the interests of anyone on the roads. Now, come December 15th, those hard checkpoints on the northern and southern boundaries were meant to be going. A system based on trust we were told, with random police checks, like those you can expect anytime you're out on the roads. Now it turns out the police are building up a roster of 300 staff to run checkpoints in Northland. Grant Robertson trotted out the 'operational decision' line yesterday, but is that true? If it was true, what was the point of making law so it's OK to have iwi-led road blocks, provided police are there? How have police calculated they need 300 staff to support random checks? What have they been told about roadblock plans, that we don't know? Who's really driving this? Have the Government and police been pushed into maintaining checkpoints by the inference that, hey, if you don't do it, we will. What's it really going to be like, come December 15th? Who's really running the show? Come to that, who's really running the country?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fresh war of words has erupted over the fate of former New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian, who is reportedly being urged to run for federal politics despite the cloud hanging over her from an anti-corruption investigation. New South Wales’ Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has yet to deliver the findings of its inquiry into whether Ms Berejiklian breached the public’s trust or had a conflict of interest during her secret relationship with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire. It is also considering whether she failed in her duty to report suspected corruption, and whether she encouraged that sort of behaviour by turning a blind eye. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has, in recent weeks, been attacking ICAC for its investigation into Ms Berejiklian. Most notably, in one session of Question Time in late November, he denounced the treatment of her as “shameful”. “What was done to Gladys Berejiklian, the people of NSW know, was an absolute disgrace,” he said in parliament. “The Australian people know that the former premier of NSW was done over by a bad process, and an abuse.” He also called ICAC a “kangaroo court”. During a media conference at Woollahra Public School in NSW today, Mr Morrison was asked whether he thought Ms Berejiklian would be a “good candidate” for Warringah at next year’s federal election. “I think she’d be great,” he replied. “As I’ve said before, the way that Gladys Berejiklian has been treated over these events, I think has been shameful. I’ve been very clear about that. “Anthony Albanese thought that was the right thing to do to Gladys Berejiklian. I don’t think it was, and I look forward to her – she’ll make her own decision in her own time about what she would like to do, of course. If she wished to join our team, she would be very welcome.” - by Sam Clench, news.com.auLISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big boost for New Zealand's reputation in the video gaming industry. Developers Rocketwerkz new game 'Icarus: The First Cohort' is the top seller on a global platform called 'Steam' In Layman's terms, it's like being number one the Billboard chart. Duane Mutu is director of Let’s Play Live, an e-Sports and gaming company and he joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's being told to consider making KiwiSaver compulsory. Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark is looking at more changes to the nearly 15-year-old system. Financial Services Council chief executive Richard Klipin told Tim Dower people can opt out of the scheme, but it could be made mandatory. He says most people are paying three percent but should be given a target of about 10 percent. “The more active your investment options, the better the outcome and some of the default changes have already addressed some of those things.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National says continuing to have Police officers on Auckland's northern border is a waste of resources. It's understood about 300 cops from around the country will be used to monitor border checkpoints after Auckland's border lifts on Wednesday next week. The Police Association says it's disappointing news. National Police Spokesman Mark Mitchell told Tim Dower it's a waste of valuable policing resource that is also needed in other places. “There are highly trained police officers, it takes a lot of money to train them. That’s just placing additional stress and workload on those officers that are there to fill the gap.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I want to give Chris Luxon a solid 8 for his first week as National Party leader. Much better than I'd expected to be honest, and to be further honest I wasn't even sure the caucus would actually pick him. And so far, MPs are making a decent fist of showing a united front. Maybe they've finally cottoned on to the fact that they can't afford another leadership crisis before the election. It's all or nothing now, and Luxon's put himself forward for what's always described as the worst job in politics. The next big job for Luxon is to announce the shadow Cabinet, and we'll get that today. Giving Simon Bridges Finance was a good move I think, and he must make good use of Judith Collins' knowledge and cunning, if she's willing. But if you look across the rest of the National Party caucus, it's pretty slim pickings. Shane Reti...Chris Bishop...Barbara Kuriger...Mark Mitchell...mmm...running out of potential Cabinet Ministers already. Labour is highly vulnerable on some major issues; housing, Three Waters, crime, the gangs, and the Covid response won't win it for them next time. I think there's a growing sense that the country would be irreversibly changed, if this lot got in again. So, the opportunity is there, but after only a year in parliament Luxon is bound to make mistakes. And Jacinda Ardern will be itching to humiliate and belittle him in the house. We've all seen her do it; putting people down in a mean-spirited and sneering way, turns out that's something she's actually quite good at. So, Chris Luxon is potentially making a big sacrifice for the party. No doubt he'd have preferred to get a bit more time under his belt before taking his shot. And if he can't win them the next election, or come very close, the knives will be out. Even now, I'll bet there's a few envious MPs lurking in dark corners, plotting quietly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland businesses are still missing out on a chunk of revenue - they're open, but stuck on the red. The traffic light system has seen bars, cafes and restaurants open across the city for the first time in months. People are required to use their vaccine passes for these places. Hospitality New Zealand Auckland President Jamie Freeman told Tim Dower bars have to wrap things up around 11pm rather than three or four AM. “We really need get back to orange or green. As I said before, that late night piece is such a large part of our revenue, being at orange we’re trading at low 40 percent.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new OneRoof report this morning paints a gloomy picture on housing affordability. People believe it will get even worse over the next two years, with most of them blaming property investors and overseas buyers. Infometrics' principal economist Brad Olsen joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another historic day for Ajaz Patel was not enough to prevent India from edging closer to a crushing second-test victory in Mumbai. Patel picked up four more wickets to go with the perfect 10 he took in the first innings as India declared on 276-7 midway through the third day. That gave the hosts a commanding 539-run lead and, in the half hour before tea, Tom Latham was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin for six. Will Young (20) and Ross Taylor (six) departed quickly after tea, but Daryl Mitchell (60) and Henry Nicholls (36 not out) added 73 for the fourth wicket to wrestle back some respectability and send the test to the fourth day. Mitchell fell in the final hour though, as did Tom Blundell, run out for a duck in a shocking mix-up, leaving the Black Caps at 140-5, a whopping 400 runs away from victory and staring down the barrel of one of their largest defeats. India have left the Black Caps in a tangle after three days of the second test. Photo / AP The series will almost certainly belong to India but, in an unceasing schedule of international cricket, few will remember their 1-0 triumph once the next fixtures begin. What will live long in the memory is the remarkable efforts of Patel. After snaring four scalps on day one and completing the full first-innings set with six more on day two, Patel's one-man show rolled on during day three. His four wickets gave him overall figures of 14-225, leaving him behind only Sir Richard Hadlee's 15-123 against Australia in 1985 as the second-best match analysis by a New Zealand bowler. Patel's performance also counted as the best in tests against India - overtaking Ian Botham's 13-wicket haul in 1980 - which would have been impossible for him to imagine when growing up in Mumbai. Ajaz Patel finished with 14 wickets. Photo / Photosport Although the spinner would have preferred his production lead to a different outcome, that was never likely after New Zealand, in reply to 325, had been skittled for 62 on day two. India had the match essentially won when they reached stumps on 69-0, choosing to spend day three racking up time in the middle ahead of a series against South Africa. That glorified batting practice at least presented Patel with the opportunity to add to his haul, one he seized before long. At the risk of being repetitive Patel was the only New Zealand bowler to enjoy success in the first session, the 33-year-old continuing to feast on the home cooking while his teammates found it a little less palatable. There were few signs of a comedown from his incredible high as Patel opened the bowling, sending down 12 consecutive overs while taking two more wickets. Mayank Agarwal was the first to go, holing out to Will Young. Cheteshwar Pujara then gave Patel an even dozen, edging a low catch to Ross Taylor as the hosts advanced to lunch on 142-2. Patel finally received a break from the bowling crease in the second session and, after 170 overs across both innings, another New Zealand bowler finally chipped in, Rachin Ravindra picking up his first test wickets to finish with 3-56. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, left, celebrates the dismissal of India's Virat Kohli with his teammates. Photo / AP But Patel wouldn't stay out of the action for long, needing two balls upon his reintroduction to remove Shreyas Iyer before making Jayant Yadav his 14th and final victim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new traffic light system puts more responsibilities on businesses to enforce vaccine mandates and rules around proof of vaccine passes. Employsure Employment Relations Specialist Maddie McKenzie told Kate Hawkesby the feedback is mixed. "Employers are concerned they're losing some of their best employees because of the vaccine mandates."She said, even where vaccine mandates stand for certain industries, employers must still follow a fair and reasonable consultation process for those not wanting to get vaccinated.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How have we survived 107 days of lockdown Auckland? 188 if you add in last year's locked down days too... amazing. So, as we finish the alert level system and head into the traffic lights today, I'm actually putting a stop light on the old alarm now for a few weeks. This is my last show for the year. We worked through the lockdowns again this year so we gathered a lot of leave. Well, some more than others, my husband still has another week of work to go, but I'm off. Which is bittersweet actually, because I love my little show, my listeners, and our team. And the news cycle just keeps going this year, just when you think it might wind down, it's hello Omicron, hello new National party leadership and that’s the beauty of news I guess, new every day and constantly evolving. It has us hooked. So, we love it - but we’ve also experienced a lot of love back from you guys this year, for which we're tremendously grateful. If you know the radio biz, you know we live or die by our ratings and these are surveyed throughout the year, and what’s been amazing for us is the huge amount of support we’ve had, which has grown and grown and grown. In fact in this latest survey, we had record high ratings, and for that we thank you so much, from the bottom of our tired little hearts. We're a small team, there’s just me and producer Alex here in the mornings, and he’s new to all this, and mornings have been tough for him – gosh getting up at 2.30am would be tough for anybody. But he’s handled it like a champ, done us proud, and is a delight to work with. So huge thanks to Alex for all his hard work and kudos to him, a young gun coming in and presiding over a ratings surge. But that’s largely about you guys too, the listeners. We have such a loyal and supportive audience and for that I really am grateful, we don’t take it for granted. You challenge us and hold us accountable. And we so appreciate your feedback, because our job actually is to serve you, and if we’re not doing that well, then we’re not doing our jobs. So, it’s a job I love, the immediacy of it, the intimacy of it, the camaraderie of it. I feel like we’re all in this together, in this little early morning club of pre-dawn risers - either off to work, or to walk the dog, or do some exercise, or take the kids to sport, or get to work, or feed the baby, or just lie in bed with a coffee and get a jump on the day's news. You’re all incredibly important to us, so thank you, I’ll miss you and miss this. I probably won’t miss my alarm if I’m honest, I’ll appreciate sleeping past 3am, but I’ll be back raring to go in the New Year. In the meantime, others will hold the fort on this show, but I wish you a very Happy Christmas, a safe and sound New Year, and look forward to being back in your ear holes in a few weeks' time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the dawn on the new Traffic Light System, comes new freedoms, especially for Aucklanders, who have been in lockdown for 107 days. Waiheke island has been off-limits for visitors during lockdown, with non-residents banned. But this morning, they're welcoming people back with open arms. Waiheke local board chairperson Cath Handley told Kate Hawkesby they're ready for it. "To have the island nice and quiet has been absolutely lovely but, the businesses definitely need it."She said they're expecting a lot of people this weekend.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Signs business leaders are becoming more aware of social issues outside the workplace. The Institute of Directors have released their sentiment report, looking into the mood of board directors. 50-percent believe CEOs should be speaking out on social issues such as climate change and mental health. Chief Executive Kirsten Patterson said it shows times are changing. She said boards do need to be more awake to social issues like diversity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British court has dismissed an appeal by a newspaper publisher seeking to overturn an earlier ruling that it breached the privacy of the Duchess of Sussex by publishing portions of a letter she wrote to her estranged father. The Court of Appeal in London upheld a High Court ruling in February that publication of the letter that the former Meghan Markle wrote to her father Thomas Markle after she married Prince Harry in 2018 was "manifestly excessive and hence unlawful". The publisher of the Mail on Sunday and the MailOnline website challenged that decision at the Court of Appeal, which held a hearing last month. In a statement, Meghan said the ruling was "a victory not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what's right". "While this win is precedent-setting, what matters most is that we are now collectively brave enough to reshape a tabloid industry that conditions people to be cruel, and profits from the lies and pain that they create." Associated Newspapers disputed Meghan's claim that she didn't intend the letter to be seen by anyone but her father. They said correspondence between Meghan and her then-communications secretary, New Zealander Jason Knauf, showed the duchess suspected her father might leak the letter to journalists and wrote it with that in mind. The publisher also argued that the publication of the letter was part of Thomas Markle's right to reply following misleading media reports that alleged he was "cruelly cold-shouldering" his daughter in the run-up to her royal wedding. But a judge ruled Thursday that the article, which the Mail on Sunday described as "sensational," was "splashed as a new public revelation," rather than focusing on Thomas Markle's response to those reports. In their appeal, Associated Newspapers had also argued that Meghan made private information public by cooperating with Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, authors of "Finding Freedom," a sympathetic book about her and Harry. The duchess' lawyers had previously denied that she or Harry collaborated with the authors. But Knauf said in evidence to the court that he gave the writers information, and discussed it with Harry and Meghan. Knauf's evidence, which hadn't previously been disclosed, was a dramatic twist in the long-running case. In response, Meghan, 40, apologised for misleading the court about the extent of her cooperation with the book's authors. The duchess said she didn't remember the discussions with Knauf when she gave evidence earlier in the case, "and I apologise to the court for the fact that I had not remembered these exchanges at the time". "I had absolutely no wish or intention to mislead the defendant or the court," she said in a written statement. Meghan, a former star of the American TV legal drama Suits, married Harry, a grandson of the Queen, at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Meghan and Harry announced in early 2020 that they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They have settled in Santa Barbara, California, with their two young children. By - Associated PressSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aucklanders, do you want the following things, and if so, how much are you prepared to pay for them? Because if the mayor has his way, you will be paying for them. A more frequent bus route, decarbonization of the ferry fleet, 122 million bucks), $228 million for walking and cycling, $13.3 million for ‘urban food gardens’, 66 new low emissions buses, 14 thousand 800 native trees for south Auckland. Are you into this? Because you’ll be paying for it. Every household will be charged a ‘climate levy’ .. in council's proposed billion-dollar climate action package over the next two years. Let’s not forget the Auckland council declared a climate emergency in 2019, but the mayor says it's still not enough. So, a levy on top of the rates we already pay, and if you’re wondering why, Phil Goff reckons we asked for it. He said he’s “clearly heard from Aucklanders” that they want council to “do more on climate change and to improve our public transport system.” Show me the people who said this, and tell me how much they were willing to pay for it. Because what I can ‘clearly hear’ from Aucklanders is that this is tone deaf for a city that’s been thrashed, trashed, gutted and hamstrung for all these months. Auckland has an emergency housing, homeless and crime problem bigger than it can handle, businesses going belly up, house prices through the roof, a stripped bare CBD, more cycle and bus lanes than we know what to do with, and apparently that’s our focus? More of these cycle and bus lanes that barely get used as it is? Are you kidding me? How are council’s so out of touch? Who are the Aucklanders they’re talking to? The handful who ride their bike to the library once a week? What about the rest of Auckland? The thousands in their cars, the thousands living in areas swamped with emergency housing issues, the thousands whose livelihoods have been shattered by an extended lockdown, the thousands who own retail businesses overwhelmed by crime with homeless on their doorstep and graffiti on their walls? Are they the Aucklanders saying they want to pay more for a focus on bus lanes and decarbonising the ferries? Give me a break. The idealogues have one main problem – they don’t live in the real world. Asking Aucklanders to 'please shift' to public transport, hasn’t worked, isn’t working and is not going to work. Adding more bus and cycle lanes is only going to piss more people off, it’s not going to get mothers of 4 on the school run out of their cars and suddenly popping everyone and their school bag, PE gear and musical instrument onto a bike. I mean come on. It’s just not reality. The reality is the congestion on Auckland’s roads is the traffic snarling into one lane backed up for miles because a bus lane is taking up half the road sitting empty. Day after day, rush hour after rush hour. Council dreaming up a way to make ratepayers pay more for a feel-good tax, is just not it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorneys sought Wednesday to undermine a key accuser's allegation that the British socialite helped financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse the woman for years, starting when she was 14. The trial witness, who has said she's using the pseudonym "Jane" to protect her 22-year acting career, had testified in graphic detail on Tuesday about the alleged encounters in the 1990s, portraying Maxwell as an active participant. During a methodical cross examination, defense attorney Laura Menninger confronted the woman with FBI documents from 2019 and 2020, saying she had told the government her memory was foggy on whether Maxwell was present when Epstein molested her and on whether she ever touched her. Other documents claimed she said that no abuse occurred during a visit to Epstein's ranch in New Mexico. That contradicted her testimony about alleged encounters with him there that she said made "my heart sink into my stomach." The witness denied ever changing her story. She challenged the accuracy of the documents, saying her statements were never recorded. "This was just someone jotting down notes. … A lot of these are not correct," she said. At another point, she responded, "I don't recall saying what's written here." She did not dispute other documents saying she had named several "model types" and other women she said witnessed participating in group massages with Epstein. She also confirmed telling the FBI she once flew on a private jet with Britain's Prince Andrew. Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to charges that prosecutors say show that she and Epstein were "partners in crime." The defense has countered by claiming she's being made a scapegoat for 66-year-old Epstein, who killed himself in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019 as he awaited his own sex trafficking trial. On Tuesday, the accuser described numerous sexual encounters with Maxwell and Epstein that began in 1994 and continued through 1997. When recounting the first time she was abused by Epstein, she said she was "frozen in fear." Another time, she said she was taken to a massage room where he and Maxwell both took advantage of her. Other encounters involved sex toys or turned into oral sex "orgies" with other young women and Maxwell, she added. On cross examination, the defense has also attacked the witness's credibility by asking why she waited over 20 years to report the alleged abuse by Maxwell to law enforcement. She said that she mostly avoided the subject for years because it was too painful. The woman is the first of four alleged victims slated to testify against Maxwell at a trial expected to last about six weeks. - By TOM HAYS Associated PressSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Government support package which aims to revitalise Auckland by issuing families vouchers for local attractions and events has been panned by the hospitality sector, which says it's been "left to die". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that Aucklanders will be offered 100,000 vouchers this summer for a range of activities in a bid to "reactivate" the city as it shakes off the shackles of nearly four months in lockdown. But restaurant, bars and businesses in the hospitality industry will not be included in the scheme. MP for Auckand Central Chlöe Swarbrick joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Security experts are warning kiwis to be extra cautious when buying toys online this Christmas. Cyber criminals are banking on global supply issues and people's frustrations, in order to offer dodgy deals online. ‘If it's too good to be true... Then it probably is.’ Dean Williams is a systems engineer for NortonLifeLock and joined Kate Hawkesby from Australia. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning to not put schools in the middle of the Covid-19 vaccine debate. The Government's hoping to start rolling out the inoculation programme for five to 11-year-olds by the end of next month. Principals' Federation president Perry Rush says most of the 14 principals on his executive support it, but some people in communities are concerned. He says told Kate Hawkesby we shouldn't create conflict in schools. “That’s really important, it certainly makes sense to use them as a venue, but there needs to be some careful discussion in local communities so that boards can take the temperature of their community and then make decisions accordingly.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-first automated beef boning system made in Dunedin hopes to solve worker shortages.The high-speed technology, combining X-ray vision with robotic and mechanical automation, can process 200 carcasses an hour.Scott Technology Chief Executive John Kippenberger told Kate Hawkesby rural companies in New Zealand, Australia and the US have been struggling with labour supply.“Automation was important pre the pandemic, but also even more important following the impact of the virus.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I wrote an editorial on Luxon getting the leadership yesterday once we got wind of it in the afternoon, about an hour before their caucus met and before Luxon spoke.But I had to throw that out and start again once he spoke, because when he did, he changed my mind.I was pleasantly surprised, actually, I was impressed.He came out swinging, got straight into all the issues, he talked up achievements over announcements, he gave farmers a long-overdue high five, had a solid answer for the faith question, (he hasn’t been to a Church in five years, FYI) he confidently addressed a Three Waters question, while balancing the underdog card — admitting he might make mistakes because he’s new to politics. And on that, do we overplay that new to politics thing? I mean don’t we just want the best person for the job? And isn’t a wide range of skills from being strong in management, to having sound economical nous, critical for us as a country going forward? You want the smarts right? Not necessarily the longest term of being an MP. I mean there are a hell of a lot of MP’s, and Ministers for that matter sitting around parliament for an incredibly long time, and still not much chop.I mean what’s one of the most common criticisms of the current government? That none of them have any real-world experience, barely any of them have run a business. Career politicians are not necessarily a good thing. They can be disconnected from reality, too entrenched inside their Wellington centric bubble.So yes Luxon’s new to politics, but he’s not new to management or problem solving or getting results. He’s spent years living overseas, he’s got experience in life. That’s a plus.I thought he made all the right noises yesterday, powering up the economy, productivity, people generating more income, improving quality of life, investing in multigenerational infrastructure, improving education, mental health. He says the difference with a National government is that they trust people, and they get the job done. Fewer platitudes, PR spin and announcements, he said, and more vision followed by execution.Deputy I thought might be Bridges by way of a deal, but Nicola Willis is a sound choice. She’s a solid performer, and together I think they make a solid pairing. The key is they’re new, and they feel fresh.Which is just what National needs.So fresh team, fresh faces, fresh challenges, the critical bit though will be fresh poll results.Luxon says that he’s “built a career out of reversing the fortunes of underperforming companies” and he'll bring "real-world experience to the role."All of National’s hopes are now pinned on him doing both of those things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global stocks and oil prices fell again Tuesday after a brief respite from the heavy sell-off triggered by the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant.Stocks in Asia Pacific and Europe slid, while Wall Street opened weaker. Oil prices fell about 3% as more countries reported cases of the variant and imposed new travel restrictions. The mood was also dampened by a warning from Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel that current vaccines will struggle with Omicron."There is no world, I think, where [the effectiveness] is the same level . . . we had with [the] Delta [variant]," Bancel said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Tuesday. "I think it's going to be a material drop. I just don't know how much because we need to wait for the data. But all the scientists I've talked to ... are like, 'This is not going to be good'."South Korea's Kospi led losses in Asia, falling 2.4%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 1.6%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.6%. The Shanghai Composite was flat. China's economy got some good news Tuesday as its big factories showed signs of a recovery.European indexes opened about 1% lower before trimming those losses a little during the session.There is still a lot that's unknown about the Omicron variant, but scientists are racing to determine its severity, transmissibility and whether it evades current vaccines.Moderna's Bancel said in a statement last week that the mutations in the Omicron variant were "concerning," adding that the company has been "moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant."The world has settled into a "choppy holding pattern, for clarity about just [how] worried, or not, we should be about the new Covid-19 Omicron variant," wrote Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at Oanda, in a Tuesday research note.He pointed out that stocks fell in South Korea after the government there shelved plans to ease its Covid-19 restrictions, "highlighting once again, what is really driving markets right now."Japan on Tuesday, meanwhile, confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant.US stocks made a comeback on Monday after an Omicron-spurred selloff late last week. But they opened lower Tuesday, and then extended losses after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed could wind down its stimulus sooner than expected."At this point the economy is very strong and inflationary pressures are high and it is therefore appropriate in my view to consider wrapping up the taper of our asset purchases ... perhaps a few months sooner," Powell testified before the Senate.By 11.15 a.m. ET, the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq were all down about 1.3%.Oil prices are also sliding, after collapsing Friday on fears that the variant would hurt energy demand by eating into the amount of people driving and flying. Both Brent crude, the global benchmark, and West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, fell more than 3% to trade below $71 and $68 a barrel, respectively.- by Jill Disis, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House values continue to rise out of reach of many young Wellingtonians.The latest rating valuation has been released by QV.Over the past three years, the average home value across Wellington city has increased 60.4 per cent to sit now at more than $1.4 million.All of the capital's suburbs now have an average value above $1 million and land value across the city has increased to more than $980,000.Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen told Kate Hawkesby Wellington seems to have become a millionaire's paradise.“I think the challenge that we’re seeing going forward is that still now getting into a house in Wellington, it seems to be a fair way away for a number of particularly young people.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon's new deputy leader of the National Party is confident the pair can overcome the party's internal divisions.Nicola Willis told Kate Hawkesby National's liberal and conservative wings came together at yesterday's caucus meeting to support them.“What we saw was an uncontested leadership, we saw everyone come in behind. All 33 of us are on that same page.”The Wellington list MP worked for Sir John Key and Sir Bill English in a variety of roles between 2003 and 2011.She entered Parliament in 2018.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big challenge for National, to appeal to almost everyone with its next choice of leader.Former Air New Zealand boss Christopher Luxon appears to have the numbers over former party leader Simon Bridges, ahead of a caucus meeting this afternoon.Simon Bridges says the leadership will come down to a vote of MPs which insiders say Luxon is likely to win.Former National Cabinet Minister Jonathan Coleman told Kate Hawkesby he'll need to choose a deputy and front bench that unites the liberal-conservative divide.“We’ve got to be a party that appeals to that broad middle swathe of New Zealand, and frankly, the country’s changing, so we need to have a look, feel and a leadership team that reflects that and can appeal broadly.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t know why we keep getting our hopes up for these announcements, they’re always such a letdown. I mean I guess we knew Auckland was starting in Red, and not just Auckland but a total of ten other districts around the country as well. That’s a lot of Red.The rest of the North Island starts with Orange, the whole of the South Island Orange. No one’s in Green, because guess what?They’re taking a “cautious approach”. Of course they are. The problem with this whole thing is the lack of definitive criteria for it. That does two things, one, gives the government all the power with little or no accountability, and two, leaves people in the dark.Can festivals go ahead or not? Can people make holiday travel and accommodation plans around that or not? A review of the traffic lights comes on December 13th. Is that enough time for festival organisers to cancel or postpone their events which start a couple of days after Christmas? Is just over ten days enough time for contractors to get the yay or nay? For festival-goers to tweak plans? Book accommodation? Book travel? I doubt it.It’s tough to play a game when you don’t know the rules, and this is the problem with the government not being transparent here and holding all the cards. I mean why is Auckland, as a region one of the most vaxxed areas of the country, starting on Red? The Government claims it’s because “it’s the epicentre of the outbreak.” But when is Auckland not going to be the epicentre of the outbreak?For as long as MIQ is in Auckland, it's an epicentre. The definitions also state that Red is about protecting the health system from being overwhelmed. Yet the health system’s not remotely overwhelmed, not even close to it, so again, why? Starting Auckland in Red literally makes no sense. And given that, how do you justify moving it out, what’s going to change between now and when it moves to Orange?Nothing. They say they’ll be looking at factors such as vaccination rates (high in Auckland), the state of the health system (again, in good shape), contact tracing and case management capacity.. well that part’s up to them, not us.You can't punish us for something we have no control over. Surely holding Auckland back based on the government’s own ability or otherwise to do something is just plain cruel?So we start this thing Friday, Aucklanders get to leave their boundary two weeks later, the whole thing gets reviewed again January 17th. But before we get our hopes up too much, we still don’t know what’s yet happening with Omicron. So we still don’t have a lot of surety about our lives, but then again, isn’t this just how we live now? Living in fortnightly bundles of hope tinged with anxiety.The problem is, we’re so browbeaten by all of this, that despite still being dictated our lives in two weekly sermons, we somehow still feel grateful for every incy wincy bit of freedom they allow us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Police officers might need better protection as they respond to more firearms events.Three police officers are recovering in Auckland Hospital after being shot in Glen Eden.The offender was shot dead.Former Justice Advisory Group chairman Chester Burrows, who's also a former cop, told Kate Hawkesby police need more to respond with than pepper spray and a taser.“The Police Association has been saying for a long time they want to have guns on their hips. I would hate to think that we’d go there, but it’s difficult to find out what the other answer is.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian federal government has "paused" its plan to ease border restrictions from Wednesday, December 1, delaying the move by a fortnight as the world grapples with the new Omicron Covid variant.This means fully vaccinated visa holders will not be able to fly into Australia without an exemption.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on Monday night after a meeting of the Cabinet's national security committee was briefed on the latest information about Omicron.At this stage, the easing of border restrictions will be delayed until December 15."On the basis of medical advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, Professor Paul Kelly, the National Security Committee has taken the necessary and temporary decision to pause the next step to safely reopen Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December,'' a spokesman said."The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused until 15 December."The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information we need to better understand the Omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission."The standard rules, including that all arrivals to Australia require a negative PCR test and must complete traveller declaration forms detailing their vaccination status, will continue to apply.Previous changes announced over the weekend include the reinstatement of home quarantine in some states that had dumped the requirement for international travellers.Over the weekend Australia introduced temporary bans on travel to Australia from several African countries.Anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or their immediate family including parents of citizens, and who have been in African countries where the Omicron variant has been detected and spread within the past 14 days, will not be able to enter Australia.The countries are: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique.Australian citizens and permanent residents arriving from these countries will need to go into immediate supervised quarantine for 14 days subject to jurisdictional arrangements.In a statement, the Morrison government noted that the Australian Border Force retains discretion to allow people who are already in transit to enter, but these people will be subject to state based isolation requirements.Under state public health orders, New South Wales and Victoria have already initiated testing and 72-hour isolation requirements for Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members entering the country. In other states, 14 days of managed quarantine are required, and traveller cap arrangements are in place."Australia has a proven record of dealing with Covid, we have one of the lowest fatality rates, highest vaccination rates and strongest economies in the world," Morrison said."We will continue to take sensible and responsive evidence-based action, led by medical experts. This will ensure we can open safely, and stay safely open as we learn to live with the virus." Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP says the federal government is "calmly and carefully' responding to the latest information about the new Omicron COVID-19 variant. pic.twitter.com/aXoYs9zVRn— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) November 28, 2021 "Of course [Omicron] is concerning and that's why we're getting all the information we possibly can," Morrison told Sunrise on Monday morning."We moved very quickly on Saturday, this moved from a variance under investigation to a variant of concern within a very short period of time and we immediately put those extra controls...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Understanding from Whakatane about why it's moving into Red under the traffic light system from Friday.Most regions will start in Orange, apart from Auckland and places with low vaccination rates, including Northland, Gisborne and parts of Bay of Plenty.Whakatane Mayor Judy Turner told Kate Hawkesby she isn't surprised because the area's still working on vaccination levels.She says a large percentage of the population lives in isolated rural communities.“To getting those services out there has been a challenge, but it is happening. We’ve got a couple of amazing providers who have just gone for broke.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Aucklanders endured their last weekend of an alert level lockdown, waiting to move into our red traffic light this weekend, Covid reminded us that it’s in the driving seat, not us. Relative freedoms just a handful of days away, inching towards some kind of normality, and then boom, news erupts over the weekend of this new variant Omicron. With hope having been dashed to shreds over this past year, it’s hard to stay positive, especially when countries start restricting travel again, re-introducing self-isolation, and not ruling out a return to lockdowns. The familiar creep of dread washes over us. We don’t know yet whether the vaccine’s effective against this variant, UK health officials say there’s a "reasonable chance" that vaccines could be less effective against it. Reports yesterday said, “early data suggests it could be several times more infectious than the original virus, and appears to be outcompeting Delta.” Michael Baker says it’s a variant causing alarm because “it has a very large number of mutations," some of which affect the structure of the spike protein, which is what makes the vaccine effective. He says it has the potential to be “more infectious, more lethal and evade vaccine protection”. It'll be a few weeks until we know the facts on that, so in the interim people rightly feel nervous about future lockdowns, border closures, and as Baker said, going down the elimination path again. Old mate elimination! Oh no! The thought of more micro managing and restrictions from government on our movement and freedoms is enough to take the edge off any premature excitement for a freer festive season. The nightmare of lockdowns potentially returning is a bitter pill to swallow, especially for Aucklanders sitting here on Day 104 of lockdown. Grant Robertson said at the weekend that despite the new traffic light framework we’re moving to, they’re not ruling out lockdowns returning, the Government still has the legislation in place to impose them if need be. Meanwhile, in a rant that resembled New Zealand’s own version of Greta Thunberg, Siouxsie Wiles blasted world leaders for not dealing with the pandemic properly. She told media the new variant “was inevitable, and that after two years of the pandemic, the world’s still not learning or responding appropriately.” She clearly missed the PM's assurances that our Government’s prepared for this. Ardern said New Zealand's “well prepared for the discovery of new Covid variants.” That'll come as a shock to pretty much everyone, given all the official reports talk about these days is how woefully underprepared New Zealand's been in every aspect of its pandemic response, particularly when you consider our natural advantage of time and distance. So as Omicron spooks world markets, scares governments and threatens further impositions on our freedoms, it’ll be interesting to see just how prepared for this new mutation New Zealand really is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So it's November 29, a date we've all been waiting for. Originally the D-day for the announcement of all announcements, we already know on Friday we're heading to the traffic light system. But today we find out what colour each region will be going in. Sociology professor Paul Spoonley joined Early Edition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new heavily mutated Covid variant has been identified named Omicron. It's been rapidly labelled a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation, and is already spreading to other countries, including Australia. Originating from South Africa, there's a shortage of real-world data, and no one really knows how big of a threat it poses. Principal scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research professor Mike Bunce joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surprise from Judith Collins' former and current colleagues, about how her time as National leader came to an end. MP Jacqui Dean has told the Otago Daily Times she's surprised and disappointed Collins used a conversation from some weeks ago to demote Bridges. But speaking exclusively to Newstalk ZB, Collins says she has no regrets about demoting Simon Bridges. Former colleague Chris Finlayson told Kate Hawkesby while he isn’t surprised by her departure, but he is shocked by how it happened. “It is a real doozy.” He said the frontrunners for leadership, Luxon and Mitchell, are both are very able. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who’d be in politics, eh? I mean talk about brutal. How do they just keep getting knocked over and get back up again. It’s so so tough. I don’t know what came over Judith, apart from obvious desperation and I actually feel a great deal of sympathy for her; she clearly felt so backed into a corner she lost all perspective. And I don’t know whose advising her anymore or if anyone did, but it goes to show how important the team around you is, the perspective, the depth of talent needed. And that’s what worries me going forward. I think a reheated Simon 2.0 is just Simon again but at a different time. There’s nothing that leaps out at me to say he’s morphed into a considered strategic and smart team player. He still seems unable to hold his cards close to his chest, keep his cool, look considered and elder statesman like. He’s more relaxed, for sure, but I don’t know that’s enough to lead this motley crew and rein them in as much as they clearly need to be reined in. Then there’s Luxon. Still new, naïve, learning, unsure, and still not media savvy enough on the hoof. He looks like a guy that’s used to being briefed with press statements and sound bites in a corporate office, but when he’s door stopped by a reporter with a microphone out in the real world, he looks a bit like possum in headlights. Like it or not, being media savvy is a huge requirement of the job, and he needs work there. Not too much work or you end up looking too scripted, but maybe it’s just confidence he needs. Also, the media will play up the Christian thing with him because it’s an easy hit and the media seem to have it in for anyone exhibiting any sign of a faith. That’ll be tough for him to dial down in a way that doesn’t alienate him from conservatives, while also not freaking out the mainstream that he’s too happy clappy. Bill English got away with his faith I think because he was Catholic, whereas evangelical is a big leap. So Luxon’s a risk, but then again, they all are. Mark Mitchell - by the way, if Mark Mitchell gets it, I just want it on the record that I said way back, at the get go, that Mark could be leadership material and had potential. He’s solid, ex Police, tough on crime and justice, fights for the underdog, is genuine, takes the job seriously. He’s in it for the right reasons. Whether he’s the man to take it all the way for National in 2023 remains to be seen however. I wish the women in there were more experienced and up for it. You have some great talent in Erica Stanford and Nicola Willis but I'm not sure leadership's their goal at this stage. And there's something smart about a long game, and with the state National's in, the long game may look the most appealing. So, we wait for Tuesday, and all the titbits of leaking between now and then. Who knows where this will all end up, all I know is, whoever it is, has got their work cut out for them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England and France are at odds over how to deal with illegal migrants crossing the Channel, after 27 people died trying to get across. It's the largest loss of life there in a decade. Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Kate Hawkesby 25,000 migrants are trafficked across each year from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Eritrea. He said they're smuggled by gangs from the Netherlands, Belgium and France. McAviney said the French believe the coastline's too hard to police, so Britain's offering to send officers to help, but France is resisting that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The retail sector is in for a much-needed boost today. The industry is set to make about 270-million dollars from Black Friday sales. Retail NZ Chief Executive Greg Harford told Kate Hawkesby he's hoping Kiwis will get out and support businesses. “It could really be busier than Boxing Day. Black Friday has become a really significant part of the shopping calendar.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Collins says history will judge her kindly, for her decision to demote Simon Bridges. Collins was removed from the leadership yesterday -- after her surprise decision to demote Bridges the night before. She says she was acting on a complaint from a female caucus colleague about comments Bridges made in that colleague's presence five years ago. Speaking exclusively to the Mike Hosking Breakfast, Collins says it was an inappropriate action, by a person in a position of power. She says in the fullness of time, people will see she did the right thing for the party, knowing there would be consequences for her. Auckland University political commentator Lara Greaves told Kate Hawkesby opinion is likely to be divided. She says the culture of Parliament isn't comfortable for women and for many people, but on the scale of what could have been, this seems to be on the minor side. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the hell is going on inside the National Party? Here's the problem with that question. We shouldn't even be asking it. We shouldn't need to ask it. They shouldn't be making everything about them and drawing attention to themselves in this way - at a critical time for the opposition to make hay, with so much material available to them to clobber the government with. What are they thinking? This hit job on Bridges is so poorly timed, mind you, so is his clearly bungled coup attempt. But look at all the things they could be jumping on here: the staggering MIQ announcement yesterday - no Kiwis coming home for Christmas, no trans-Tasman bubble, in fact, no access for Australians at all without MIQ until April next year for goodness' sake. I mean this is the most cruel and crazy decision. In fact, even the Kiwis who can come home mid-January still have to self-isolate for seven days when they do. It's pure fortress NZ madness and ripe fodder for a functioning opposition. Add to that, the traffic light law rushed through under urgency last night - flawed and full of government over reach with holes all through it - again, ripe for the picking. You can also add to all this the fact that today is day 100 of Auckland being locked down... one hundred. Which in and of itself is so unbelievable and unnecessary. The timing right now for the opposition to have an absolute field day with the Government's mess is all there for the taking, and yet what does National do? Shoot itself in the foot, again. And let's look at the incredulous leap we're expected to make here - again timing wise, in regards to this Jacqui Dean complaint. She's had 5 years to litigate this and pursue it. Why now? Why wasn't it canvassed when Simon was elected leader? Why wasn't it raised when Todd Muller rolled Simon as leader? Why was it never pursued earlier when she had 5 years to pursue it? Yet, on the brink of an alleged coup attempt by Simon, this complaint magically appears. And speaking of Simon, coup 101 mate, do it quietly. Grinning all over the media like the cat who got the cream, playing with questions from journalists like it's all a big game, leaking about your prospects - how's that smart? All that did was infuriate Judith, strengthen her resolve, clue her in to your plans, and ensure she was going to hobble them... and you. And here we are. Back at the root of everything National keeps getting wrong - forgetting who they're here to serve, forgetting they're a team. All this self-serving crap does is put voters off, and make the National Party look like even more of a circus than the government currently is, which is really saying something. This is an opportunity squandered, a terribly timed hit job, on the back of a bungled coup attempt, by a party that just cannot get out of its own way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has arrived in Canada, but little is known of what her day will entail. It's the last leg of her first international trip in the role. She's meeting with her Canadian counterpart today Melanie Joly. But Correspondent Anna Burns-Francis, who's in Canada with Mahuta, told Kate Hawkesby it's all a bit hush-hush. She said she’s not sure what they'll discuss, saying the media wasn't even allowed to film them meeting. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of Auckland's city slickers are upping sticks and moving north to the Hibiscus Coast. Within three days, seven coastal properties were snapped up for more than seven million dollars. Bayleys Orewa owner and manager Kirsty Macky told Kate Hawkesby inner city Aucklanders are pushing up the prices very quickly. “It’s just supply and demand. We’ve just got more buyers than we have properties for sale and so the competition for what we do have is fierce.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Businesses are welcoming back the ability to travel internationally without MIQ. Fully vaccinated Kiwis will be able travel home from Australia without MIQ from January 16, and from all other countries from February 13. All other fully vaccinated travellers will be able to come here from April 30. All must still self-isolate for seven-days. Christchurch exporter Enztech chief executive Iain McMillan told Kate Hawkesby this is great news. “We probably look to be travelling in January to Australia; it’s a nice little warm-up market for us.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bus carrying tourists back to North Macedonia crashed and caught fire in western Bulgaria early Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, including a dozen children, authorities said. DNA tests were being carried out to identify the victims. The bus apparently ripped through a guardrail on a highway, though authorities said the cause was still under investigation. Photos taken shortly after the crash showed the vehicle engulfed in flames as plumes of thick, black smoke rose. Daylight revealed a burned-out shell with all of its windows blown out, sitting in the median. A portion of the guardrail was lying in the road. Seven survivors were hospitalized after the crash, which took place as a group of buses was returning from a trip to Turkey. Twelve children were among the dead, according to the North Macedonia chief prosecutor, Ljubomir Joveski. Bulgarian Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov told reporters at the crash site that he had "never in my life seen something more horrifying" and that the identification process would take time. “The people who were on the bus are turned to charcoal," Rashkov said. "There were four buses that traveled together, and it is possible that passengers changed buses during the stops.” Borislav Sarafov, chief of Bulgaria’s national investigation service, confirmed that 52 people were on the bus that crashed. Among the survivors were five North Macedonia citizens, one Serb and one Belgian, according to North Macedonia's Foreign Ministry. Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka said almost all of the dead were ethnic Albanians, but it was not clear if they were also citizens of North Macedonia. Blagoj Bocvarski, North Macedonia’s transport minister, told reporters in the capital of Skopje late Tuesday that officials have started a procedure to revoke the transportation license of the travel company that owns the bus. He said the company has four buses licensed to carry passengers internationally, but for the bus involved in the accident “there was no record in the ministry that it possessed the license.” News of the crash hit hard in the small Balkan country of 2 million people. The North Macedonia government observed a minute of silence Tuesday and declared three days of mourning. Flags will be lowered to half-staff, and all public events will be canceled. The country's prime minister travelled to Bulgaria, as did its chief prosecutor, who visited the crash site. Azem Sadiki, mayor of Studenicani municipality near Skopje told reporters that 20 of the crash victims were local residents. He said the dead included a mother and her four children as well as the woman’s sister and her two children. “We are very sad. This is a huge loss for us all, and the whole country,” Sadiki said. Outside the government building in Skopje, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told The Associated Press that authorities are “trying their best to identify the victims as soon as possible.” “The identification of the victims has started,” he said. “The autopsy and also the DNA identification, because for some of the victims that is the only way they can be identified.” Osmani added: “Two things are important for us now, first the identification to finish as soon as possible, and second, to find the cause of the accident.” The country's prime minister, Zoran Zaev, who visited survivors in the hospital, told Bulgarian television channel bTV that one said he was awoken by an explosion. In Skopje earlier, relatives gathered outside the travel company believed to have organized the trip but the office appeared closed. “Now we are waiting for bad news,” a distraught Bekim Aliti told reporters outside the building. He said his wife and his brother's wife were on the trip. Eldin Shiroki said his cousin was a tour guide for the company. "We still don’t have any accurate information — so we are waiting,” he said. In 2019, Bulgaria had...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, we learnt this week from a senior MIQ official, that Grant Robertson was indeed involved in the decision to refuse entry to the SailGP team, even though he denied it. Not only did he deny it, but he blamed MIQ officials for it, who’ve now called for him to “correct the record.” He won’t of course, because this government is always right, it’s never wrong, never accepts responsibility or blame for anything. And that, to me, is an increasing worry, because as the wheels come off this government, voters have to start looking beyond Ardern; who may well mic drop and exit stage left for the UN anytime. In the early days, the obvious successor was Grant Robertson. He seemed to add substance and hold a calm veneer. But a pandemic is a long time in politics. And we went from world leader to world loser. The last remaining country locked down, locked up and out of luck. During that time, Jacinda’s become increasingly removed from the mainstream, more arrogant, more out of touch. Reports from Wellington mention her ever-decreasing circles of influence, where her own experts are ostracized and left out in the cold if they dare to disagree or challenge. Then there’s the disharmony in her cabinet, Minister’s contradicting each other, Cabinet divided between “Auckland Sympathisers” & “Wellington Sychophants”. I’m hearing it’s not the happiest of camps. So why hasn't Grant Robertson risen up through all this with some elder statesman appeal? Instead, he's seemed deaf to the cries of business, particularly in Auckland. He’s not gone into bat hard enough for corporates, sole traders, those abandoned overseas, companies, beauticians, hospo, or those drowning under the burden of a collapsing MIQ system. He’s appeared as aloof and removed as Jacinda’s been. Nothing is more expensive than opportunity squandered, and Grant's squandered it. He’s presided over the largest stimulatory fiscal response in the nation’s history – we had the balance sheet capacity, and drawing on it was the right thing to do. The “why” was right, but the “how” has been woeful and wasteful. Business has been left aghast on the side-lines, while Grant’s run his own agenda on where the largest sums of money the nation has ever spent, were “invested” – or rather “squandered.” School sandwiches anyone? Robertson's communication style and demeanour's also shifted. He‘s no longer the pragmatic, hardworking, willing to engage Grant Robertson from 18 months ago. Instead, he now appears smug, all knowing, and unquestionable. Quick to anger and increasingly snide and cynical. You’ll see it when he performs in the House - petulant and aggressive. So we’ve seen that calm unflappable veneer crack right open, at a time we needed him to be solid. Which begs the question, who then in this party has kept a cool head?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A litigation lawyer says she's been inundated with stories from neighbours of Kainga Ora tenants. Associate Housing Minister Poto Williams says she's had discussions with the state housing provider about looking at its process around evictions. No state tenants have been kicked out since the start of 2018. Lawyer Adina Thorn told Kate Hawkesby the no evictions policy has to end. “This isn’t going around, evicting lots of people across New Zealand. It is putting deterrence's in place in state houses where we’ve got anti-social tenants.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand is set to reap billions of dollars in benefits, thanks to a new travel and trade route. A New Zealand China Council-commissioned report has found a route linking Asia to South America via New Zealand could bring close to 1.9-billion dollars over 10 years Executive Director Rachel Maidment told Kate Hawkesby it would benefit our e-commerce, tourism and education sectors. “There is going to be one major point in Oceania and we really want it to be us so we need government and industries to continue to work together to ensure the right fundamentals are in place.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another major retailer is making vaccination mandatory for staff. Countdown has announced it will require all staff to be jabbed by January 10, following The Warehouse Group's decision to require its staff to be jabbed by January 16. Rival chain Foodstuffs is also discussing a vaccine mandate with its store owners, which could take effect on February 16. First Union retail organiser Ben Peterson told Kate Hawkesby unvaccinated staff should only lose their job, if there's no alternative. “That’s something we really want to avoid. We do want to look at if there are lower risk roles that can be moved into and that all other options are explored before we get to that.” Other businesses, like PWC and Russell McVeagh, have already announced vaccine mandate rules. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.