Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Financial hardship thanks to lockdown means more people are trying to get their Kiwisaver funds out earlier. Budgeting advisers say there's been a 25 to 40 per cent increase in the number of payouts being approved. That means an increase in rejected applications that they don't quite meet the hardship standard - and this is proving tough for some to hear. Financial Services Complaints CEO, Susan Taylor told Kate Hawkesby they have noticed increased demand for their services."We’ve had about a five to ten percent increase, just in the last few months, which we see as a bit of a trend happening.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You knew when the PM started selling the idea that we should be so grateful not to be going into level 4, that the mind games were on, and she was going to make Level 3 sound like a picnic. And picnics as it turns out, is all we got. Two more weeks of them. I could not have called this more wrong. Yesterday, I optimistically said they’d definitely free up some restrictions. I thought a zoo or a museum or the odd library may get thrown a bone. How wrong I was. Two more weeks at Level 3 for Auckland, and the announcement that a slew of announcements will be dripfed over the coming week. If we thought we were living week by week on dripfed news by the Government, it just got worse. It’s now day by day. We are being dictated our terms, and our lives, in 24-hour cycles. Here in Auckland, we’ve been locked down for 63 days now. Ten weeks. We are 89 percent vaccinated single dose, 71 percent double dose. The bulk of us, bar Destiny Church and the odd North Shore party goer, are abiding the rules. This is infuriating. It smacks of a PM who is so disconnected from her own electorate; she hasn’t been in Auckland for months, her platitudes from the cosy level 2 Beehive in Wellington thanking Aucklanders are falling on deaf and increasingly annoyed ears. The PM’s giggling at questions with the Wellington-centric press gallery who sound equally out of touch with Auckland, is increasingly nauseating. It alienates every single person she’s asking to do the hard graft. The response seriously lacks an Auckland connection yet Aucklanders are the ones bearing the brunt of this nightmare. Apart from the glib ‘hey thanks Auckland’ the Government shows no sign whatsoever of understanding what this is truly like. I can tell you as an Aucklander sitting watching this unfold, into week 10 of home schooling and watching businesses fall over all around us, it’s not remotely funny. None of it’s amusing. If ever the PM needed to check her tone, it’s now. The once Queen of Communication – as declared by the Left – is whirling and sinking in a communication mudpool. Also, there's a disingenuousness now around these announcements about announcements. It's just plain cruel. Do they know and just won't tell us because they're drunk on power? Or are they making it up as they go along and don't have a clue yet? The lack of urgency is galling. If they know what's happening for schools, vaccine passports, Māori, business support, and a target, then they should've shared it as of yesterday. And if the target is over 90 percent, they're chasing pipe dreams nowhere else in the world has, at our expense. It’s become a farce. If you voted for this omnishambles, I hope you’re happy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the optimism of many yesterday, Auckland is facing another two weeks of lockdown while the rest of the country remains in level two. The Government did make some announcements of announcements It will finally reveal a vaccination target on Friday, as well as a new traffic light system. But this has some saying the chop and change of decisions shows the Government is flailing about Political commentator Bryce Edwards told Kate Hawkesby the Government are in a tough position."They've got people that want relaxation of the rules and others that want a circuit breaker going back up to Level 4, Ardern did her typical thing of going somewhere in the middle, which means the status quo is staying where we're at."LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The film industry has traditionally been dominated by studios in Hollywood, but there seems to have been a shift in the tide. The biggest movie in the world right now is a Chinese propaganda movie. The Battle at Lake Changjin is on track to become the biggest movie of the year, and the highest grossing Chinese film of all time. That alongside South Korea's Squid Game, has some in Hollywood nervous, and realising they may face more competition from Asian productions Media studies professor at University of Virgina and author of "Hollywood made in China" Dr Aynne Kokas joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hairdressers are frustrated there's no roadmap for them. They're among those bearing the brunt of Auckland's lengthy lockdown; it's 10 weeks since they've had to shut up shop. Ashley Green owns Society, a salon in Grey Lynn, and told Kate Hawkesby they have the ability to operate one client to one staff member, who's in full PPE. She says they can open safely. “If we are waiting for vaccinations to go up, why not let us look after clients who are already vaccinated? My team are fully vaccinated, we’re ready to go.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Promising signs on the horizon. Auckland’s going to get to 90 percent vaxxed soon, fingers crossed, and that’s going to force this Government to open some stuff up. And by stuff, I mean the border. The shops. The Auckland boundary. Normality is calling. Not for the people still steeped in fear and “freaking out” like Rod Jackson and Siousxie Wiles. Unfortunately, in going hard and early on the fear mongering, and in pursuing it for so long, there’s still a large chunk of New Zealanders trapped inside the fear and unable to get out. These are the same people craving another level 4 lockdown. The epidemiologists - given so much airtime and limelight throughout this pandemic, risk becoming increasingly obsolete and irrelevant. They’re not on message anymore, the Government now distancing itself and making calls that the academics disapprove of. A classic example of this is the new traffic light system the Government wants to implement to replace levels. Most of their “experts” poo pooed this idea as “not fit for purpose”. Yet as far as the Government is concerned, they’ve ‘consulted’ on it so that’s that. Arrogance means you just have to go through the motions, you don’t actually have to listen or act on anything, you just give them a platform to speak, nod politely, and move on. This modus operandi is this Governments forte. In fact, these experts should be grateful they got any consultation at all. So, what will happen today then? Well certainly not level 4 as the panickers would like, in fact I think more freedoms are coming. They know tolerance for lockdowns is through the floor, they know they’re taking a hit politically on the MIQ shambles, they will only tolerate so much political damage. So, despite cloaking it all under the veil of a “health response” what we'll see in the coming weeks will all be political. Opening the border for Kiwis to come for Christmas will be a ballsy but welcome move, opening CBDs and retail, getting people back to the dentist and the hairdresser and the physio, allowing Aucklanders to escape T ā maki MaCovid. This all needs to start rolling out over the next few weeks surely. The pace at which they move here is key. Quick enough to get the ball rolling in time for Christmas, but slow enough not to infuriate the chicken littles running round saying the sky will fall in. It’s a balancing act, and one they need to weigh up in good enough time for Kiwis to get their much-promised summer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the first day of term four, but Auckland students still don't know when they'll be back in the classroom. That's despite initial indications they would be coming back National Party Education Spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says we should get on with it once enough teachers are vaccinated. He says told Kate Hawkesby the real danger isn't kids going to school, it's kids not going to school. "They're falling behind, they're losing track with their friends, losing the habit of getting to school. And let's face it, it's a complete lottery as to whether they're actually learning when they're in lockdown." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland's mayor has labelled party-goers who breached lockdown "bloody idiots". Footage from the massive party at a North Shore property on Saturday night went viral on social media yesterday. Under Auckland's Level Three rules, only two households are allowed to meet outdoors - with a limit of 10 people. Phil Goff says these people should have thought about their families and the wider community. "It's just selfish and irresponsible to have an event like that, knowing it's breaking the rules when everybody else is making a sacrifice so we can get back to normal and have a decent Christmas together." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think as we wrap this week, we just have to accept we are at a point now where counting cases is actually pointless. Delta has got away on us, it's had a good laugh at our elimination strategy, and off it's gone and there’s no stopping it now. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but earlier access to vaccines, a few more ICU beds, a better MIQ system and all the other things we didn’t do would’ve been great, but that ship has sailed. So here we are, and let’s look on the bright side. We’re allegedly not ever going back into Level 4. So that’s it. That’s all the bright side I can think of. As Auckland, Waikato and Northland enter another weekend at Level 3 and the rest of the country in Level 2, we only have to look across the ditch to see how this thing goes. It takes time, and lots of it. We long ago kissed goodbye any lingering thoughts of a ‘short sharp’ lockdown, but what we need to accept is that this could go for quite a while yet. The kids who thought they'd be gearing up for school Monday will be home instead. The retailers who thought they may've been able to open by now, still shut. The gyms, the hairdressers, the physios, all still waiting. So how do we keep up the stamina for it? I spoke with a girlfriend in Sydney the other day and she said after 15 weeks of lockdown, survival mode kicked in. She YouTubed how to cut hair and became the family barber, she got creative at home with the kids doing stuff they wouldn’t normally do. Tried to make it an adventure basically. But the emotional rollercoaster is real. When Freedom Day finally arrived, she said it actually felt weird to see lots of people out and about and going into places, and things returning to ‘normal’. Easy to forget what normal is after all that time. Here, we're still at the carnage stage. I feel bad for the events sector, they’ve been politely waiting a very long time to be told what might happen for them. I was surprised they didn’t kick up more of a fuss about a plan forward for their sector, but a lot of the festivals are run by Jacinda’s mates, so they may’ve been trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. But we’re now seeing the cancels start to ramp up, Canterbury’s A&P show, Bay Dreams, Christmas in The Park, other smaller scale festivals. God only knows what'll happen if Rhythm and Vines doesn’t go ahead, there’ll be anarchy amongst the PM’s usual teen fan base, and she won’t want that. The other thing that’s struck me this week is the hypocrisy going on and the blame shifting. We need to abide the rules and stop illegal gatherings, but that doesn't necessarily apply to gangs and their cohorts? We need to stay put, but absconders who don't may or may not be named, questioned and charged. I think if the Pulpit of Truth could do us a favour and stop blaming Aucklanders, most of whom are trying their best, and just harden up on the leaky border and the problems known to them that're creating the bulk of the distress, that'd help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big day in the music world, Adele is releasing her first single in nearly six years. ‘Easy on Me’ comes out today, which is the lead single off her new album '30', which releases November 19. She's expected to once again break records, her previous album ‘21’, is the best-selling album of the twenty first century, while ‘25’ broke first-week sales records. Can she do it again? Deputy music editor at the Guardian Laura Snapes joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Māori health care provider is trying to improve vaccine rates in the area with one of the worst coverage rates in the country. In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, vaccinators have taken to the road to get vaccination rates up for Māori. Te Puna Ora O Mataatua has set up pop up centres in schools, marae and workplaces. Chief Executive Lee Colquhoun says told Kate Hawkesby understanding cultural differences is key. "You need make sure that you understand how important word of mouth within Māori communities are, some are a little bit hesitant." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities appear to have hit a brick wall, with the uncooperative women at the centre of Northland's Covid lockdown. The Covid-positive pair have refused to reveal locations of interest they visited around the region Officials believe they have all the information they're going to get out of them. Former crisis negotiator Lance Burdett told Kate Hawkesby there's only so many times you can ask the same people the same questions. "You get one shot at it, and it's one chance only, because once you've asked her several questions, the next time you go back, they're already ready for those questions and more." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s hard not to feel sorry for Northland this morning, and the Waikato for that matter. I mean Waikato has two cases and they’re staying in Level 3, which seems over the top. And as for Northland, they’re only staying in Level 3 because the absconders won’t help Police with their enquires; won’t fess up any locations of interest, won’t be honest. I mean how is it a whole hard-working, law-abiding population of people in the North are being held to ransom by two losers? Zero cases in Northland, and 2 household contacts in Waikato and boom, they stay in level 3. Vaxathon this weekend anyone? Is it too cynical to suggest keeping the fear button firmly pressed will help push jab rates up this weekend? Don’t you think it’s interesting that for a government that can’t set targets, they can suddenly set one when it involves a few TV cameras and fun day out with celebrities and influencers and sports people? They can put a number on their cheesy Vaxathon, but not when it doesn’t involve some primetime PR opportunities. But they just don’t seem gripped by the same sense of urgency that those actually enduring the level restrictions are. They don’t seem to carry the weight of the plight of businesses, the angst of those in unnecessary Level 3 like Northland and Waikato. Where is the urgency in getting these Northland women to spill the beans on where they’ve been? How is this taking so long when every single day counts here? There's also no naming and shaming going on – why is the Government still protecting these women’s anonymity? Why, when the Wānaka couple were outed and charged, do these two reprobates get let off the hook? What’s going on here? Their selfish and irresponsible behaviour has resulted in prolonging a needless lockdown for hundreds of thousands of people, yet they’re enjoying the privilege of anonymity. The inconsistency and double standards around this whole response are so galling, I think it’s another thing that really rarks people up and erodes their trust in this Government. Tangi are fine for gangs, but no one else can send off their loved ones in big numbers. Some people can skip the border no worries, others have the book thrown at them. Some truckies are tested and stopped, others waved by no big deal. Gang members can trash MIQ rooms and abuse hotel staff, but the Defence Force will confiscate even one extra bottle of wine from others. Black Lives Matter protestors can come out in force during a Level 4 lockdown last year with zero arrests made, whereas Brian Tamaki gets charged for a protest in Level 3. I’m not defending Brian Tamaki by the way; I’m just pointing out the litany of inconsistencies. Continuously, we’re told the message is to abide the rules, and yet there appears zero consistency from the people making them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northland is in level three lockdown for another five days thanks to an uncooperative Covid case. That means all up the pair will have cost the region $23 million in the form of lockdowns. That's especially hard to stomach considering Northland's economy was going gangbusters before it went to level 3. Infometrics principal economist, Brad Olsen joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international relations expert says it's important New Zealand shows its face at a big climate change conference. COP 26 is taking place in Glasgow at the end of the month. Patrick Bayer from Strathclyde University says told Kate Hawkesby United Nations decision-making happens on a consensual basis. "Every country that is not represented to is going to throw a spanner the works, in terms of other countries not knowing what governments stand for." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Breast Cancer Foundation says at least 133 women across the country won't know they have the disease right now. The national breast screening programme was put on hold at level 4 and has been running at reduced capacity from level 3. Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Ah-Leen Rayner says told Kate Hawkesby barriers to participation need to be removed. She says screening needs to continue during any level four outbreak. "And we need action plans in place with extra resources given to our screening agencies." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's books are supposedly in better shape than expected. The Finance Minister revealed a deficit, a business would call that a trading loss, of only $4.6 billion. Mmmm...we lost $4.6 billion. That said, the Budget picked a number more like $15 billion, so it could have been a lot worse. But one thing caught my ear in the announcement. Kainga Ora properties (what we used to call Housing New Zealand) are on the books as assets. But is it really truthful to call a property portfolio that LOSES money an asset? Minus $20-30m a year sounds more like a liability to me. And that's AFTER it sucked nearly a billion out of WINZ in rent subsidies. Of course, we need to have cheap housing, but doesn't expanding Kainga Ora's portfolio just feed an ever-growing liability for the taxpayer? And while I'm on this point, the Government says the value of all its property and equipment is up by $27 billion. That's land, buildings, state highways, electricity generation and railways. Land can be sold, so it's an asset, power stations make profits, so they're assets. But roads, hospitals, railways all cost more than they bring in, so aren't they liabilities too? Look, I know I'm being pedantic here. Anyway, things could be a lot worse. We could be Greece, or Italy, or another European debt basket case. Carry on borrowing at the rate we are though, and that won't take long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support for New Zealand to have another tilt at hosting the Commonwealth Games. Organisers have reduced the number of mandatory sports down to athletics and swimming. Auckland business association Heart of the City says the event would bring increases to GDP and tourism. Birmingham is hosting next year's games, but the slot for 2026 remains open. Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck told Tim Dower says the gains would be more than just economic. "It's also good because people rally around, kids participate and volunteers get involved. There's a lot of upside." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A call to set aside MIQ spaces for the parents of babies who are about to be born. The ACT Party and some health experts are calling for the Government to prioritise them. Plunket chief executive Amanda Malu told Tim Dower every baby deserves to have as little stress and anxiety as possible, particularly in the first weeks of their lives. "It's a pretty important category, we think, those about to be newest citizens of our country and we think we should look after them." Amanda Malu says it would involve small numbers of MIQ spaces, but science shows how important the first thousand days of life are. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work is underway to target low vaccination rates in rural communities. Dunedin Medical School research has found people who have had at least one jab is 11 percent lower in rural areas. The rate of people with at least one dose is 726 per 1000, compared to 816 per 1000 urban residents. Rural GPs Network Chief Executive Grant Davidson told Tim Dower going to the people is the answer. "Above Te Kaha, for example, they're getting 87 percent in their community, and that's because they're going out using community volunteers to bring people in or taking vaccines out to those communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only good thing to come out of yesterday is that I won a bet. My husband bet me that they’d loosen something or announce something yesterday. That they’d throw a bone, announce a target, unveil some details, open something up, name the Northland absconder, something, anything. He said there was no way they could just do nothing. There was no way they could keep locking us down at this level with no plan, no detail, no guide. I don’t know why he keeps over estimating this Government; I knew they’d do none of that. I knew they’d leave us languishing because 1) they’re out of touch, and 2) they don’t have a plan. What I didn’t bank on was how much high fiving they’d do of their own ability. This far into this much farce, how are they still claiming to be successful? To be world leading? Is there anyone out there still buying that crap? Seriously? How are they still milking these press conferences as an opportunity to gloat? It again shows, I guess, how out of touch they really are. Schools got a mention, but not a word on the South Island, and nothing on business. How is that even possible? How can do you keep delaying the reopening of businesses, with people’s livelihoods hanging in the balance? How can you be so devoid of any rhetoric around that? So disconnected from the productive side of the economy, the people who keep this country afloat? How can they be so cavalier with them? Where was Grant Robertson? How does the Finance Minister ignore business here? What message are you sending the business community when you continue to treat them like this? My heart breaks for them; we hear from business owners daily, they’re at their wits end and they seem to not even be on the Government’s radar. Is this Government too distracted by gangs and alleged sex workers? Are they more interested in protecting the lowest common denominators holding the rest of us to ransom? The other bizarre aspect of all this is how Wellington-centric the Government continues to be, in terms of not having a clue what it looks like on the ground in Auckland, or understanding there's a South Island still waiting for a plan too. The Government continuing to tell us from their cosy Level 2 Beehive theaterette that Level 3 is working well in Auckland, shows how Wellington-centric and out of touch they really are. Leaky border, rule breakers, not to mention the place is heaving. People crowded into parks and beaches, bursting bubbles like there’s no tomorrow, no distancing, some aren't even masked. They don't have a clue how this is going in Auckland, yet they want to keep applying the same approach hoping for a different result. Definition of insanity right there. What we needed yesterday was to hear two critical things; what’s the vaccination target for opening up? And what’s the date set to achieve it? But because basic planning and simple respect for voters is beyond this Government, we didn’t get either.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the ditch, gyms are struggling to get their members back after lockdown. Sydney's having to offer free workouts, new programmes, and promise better ventilation to drag people away from the comfort of home work-outs. Questions are still being raised as to what stage Auckland gyms can re-open. Richard Beddie, Exercise NZ CEO joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pushback on the idea that some businesses need to fail after lockdown. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub suggested some businesses should be left to fail, so others can thrive. He says the Government shouldn't be expected to prop up businesses who go under post lockdown, as there will be too many businesses and not enough demand. Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois told Kate Hawkesby it's not that simple. "We need to remember these business owners are people. They contribute to the economy, they affect the supply chain, so it's absolutely imperative that we look at helping these businesses out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's decision to delay the reopening of Auckland schools by a week, is being seen as the right call, despite some believing it will result in lost learning for some children. As well, all school and early learning staff who have contact with students, must be fully vaccinated by January 1, and have their first dose by November 15. Developmental paediatrician Dr Jin Russell told Kate Hawkesby in the current context it's the right move. She says if you don't get it right, there will be transmission of Covid-19 in schools, mainly between adults. "And that will cause small rolling small closures and the need for children to isolate from one another, so it is smart to delay it a little bit.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s lucky we weren’t on air last week, because we probably would’ve been sacked. I mean there are only so many swear words tolerable on air, but expressing the rage of Aucklanders right now would use up a lot of them. I get the overwhelming sense now that people are angry, and over it. I mean they were angry and over it a while ago, but it seems to be gaining momentum. There’s less empathy for lockdowns and teams of 5 million talk, and more rage. Rage against those breaking the rules, border breachers, gangs.. don’t even get me started on the gangs.. the incomprehensible rules we are supposed to be following, the lack of a plan, the needlessness of all this. All of it. It’s rage inducing. And it’s landed in Auckland, as well as Northland and Waikato laps this past week, that we're potentially not getting out of this anytime soon. Some people mistake rage at lockdown as being about first world problems like not being able to get to the hairdresser, but it’s actually so much more than that. It’s watching your mates' businesses and livelihoods go under, it’s watching your local cafes and restaurants begging for custom as they desperately try to ‘pivot’ and serve up some kind of takeaway. It’s families separated, elderly isolated, young people starved of any kind of normality, students suffering, kids missing school, people struggling with their wellbeing. Watching people burn through all their savings just to stay afloat. It’s a lot. Which is why the PM’s little tiki tour roadie with her fiancé splashed all over the news like some kind of cheesy home movie, felt like a tone-deaf slap in the face this weekend. As they winged their way through the provinces encouraging vaccinations, did we really need the side bar of the PM popping into her childhood home for a tour, regaling her social media audience with tales of her past? Sure, do that anytime we’re not suffering through a pandemic with some of the strictest restrictions in the world, as she proudly told us the other day. But her joking and laughing about Clark eating her pie, I mean, read the room. This whole Covid response has been so lacking in any kind of understanding of life on the ground in Auckland, which by the way is her hometown, that it’s become quite a galling disconnect. Whoever thought this was good PR to have the PM galivant around provincial New Zealand like it’s some fun 'trip down memory lane' roadie, missed the mark. Sure, do a vaccinate tour, but let’s not make it a political and personal branding exercise at the same time. It also left a gaping hole in terms of any accountability to answer any questions about the two women absconders around Northland, or front up on the 60-case number jump yesterday. Cancelling press conferences when it suits and instead manufacturing curated PR stunts through the PM's home town to giggle over pies, shows total arrogance and disregard for all those doing the hard yards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite Auckland being in it's longest lockdown ever, daily Covid-19 cases keep climbing up. Yesterday we had 60 community cases, 56 of them in Auckland. Covid's also hit the regions now, with cases in Waikato, Northland and Bay of Plenty. Today the Government's announcing whether any restrictions will be loosened. University of Otago senior lecturer in primary healthcare and general practice Lesley Gray joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So the South Korean show Squid Game has taken the world by storm. Despite being a Korean speaking show, it's number one in Netflix in 90 countries, and is soon to become the most popular show ever on Netflix. The show is about people who face severe debt play a series of deadly children's games to win a cash prize. If you lose, you're dead. There have been roll on affects from the show, sales for white Vans that the contestants wear has jumped over 7000%. Lecturer in Korean studies at University of Sheffield Dr Sarah Son joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's something to look out for in the next few months, or perhaps on the last day of Parliament before Christmas. Today's Herald reports there's about four billion dollars in debt on the Government's books. This is money owed by New Zealanders to the Crown, for a whole bunch of different reasons. About half of it is due to MSD, the Ministry of Social Development, that comes down to overpaid benefits essentially. Bottom line, about four billion, which is owed by the least well-off people in the country, people in no realistic position to ever pay it back. Now, cast your mind back to the start of the pandemic when benefits went up $25-a-week just like that, overnight. Since then, there's been another $20 a week since July this year, and by April next year some beneficiaries will be up as much as $55 a week. All up, we're putting another $3.3 billion into benefits, over four years. Which might sound like largesse when you're paying your tax, or seeing how much GST you've handed over in your grocery bill or petrol receipt. But the reality is we've still got people trying to feed themselves and raise a child on less than $500 a week. So don't be in the least bit surprised to see that four billion I mentioned before, written off. And you know what, I won't object. I've got no time for bludgers who won't even try. But I do care about people who are down, or just can't help themselves. And lumbering someone with a debt they'll never be able to pay back just crushes their spirit. Give people a boost and for some, it's a chance to pick themselves up, and start over again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll be aware Chinese warplanes have been flying sorties into Taiwan's air defence zone. Naturally, Taiwan is a bit stressed by all this, saying military tensions are the most serious in 40 years. Its defence minister says China could be capable of a full scale invasion by 2025. From the research house Rand Corporation in Washington, Scott Harold joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cancellation of Canterbury's A and P show is a huge economic loss for the region. Three Cup and Show events - the Agricultural Show, Addington Cup Week and Riccarton Park Races - were expected to generate more than four million dollars of visitor spend. Christchurch Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner told Tim Dower Christchurch NZ is looking at other events which could mitigate the loss of visitors. "Very difficult to see what could replace that large number of visitors that normally would be in town." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National MP Chris Bishop is feeling vindicated by the Government's decision to introduce rapid antigen tests in some hospitals. He told Tim Dower it's something he's been calling for, for some time. "Other countries have them, they use them. They are a useful tool to pick up Covid in the community and we should be using them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great to see the TV news last night, and clips of Auckland people so relieved to get out into the park and meet a few friends. Ordinary, working people finally getting permission to enjoy a sniff of normality. And for the most part, they're diligently doing all the right things; wearing their masks and keeping their distance. Meanwhile, the outlaw element has apparently been carrying on as normal. Today we can confirm that the index case in the Hamilton outbreak is a drug deal dealer, with a long criminal history and gang affiliations. There are suggestions they crossed the Auckland boundary to buy drugs, and then delivered those drugs in the Waikato. Chris Hipkins has publicly confirmed that - quote - "quite a number" of people in the latest outbreak are gang members. So, while people who just want to get on with making an honest living and provide for their families suffer, people with a contempt for that way of life just carry on as they please. Naturally, we'll pick up the pieces, as we always do. We'll provide the healthcare and social support to people who actively undermine our society. And once we get them well again will they thank us? What do you think? I guess most of us have no dealing with the gangs; we know they're there and we don't like them, but they don't impact directly on us, so we grumble, and we kind of shrug it off. Maybe, if lockdown extensions, or worse, a return to tighter restrictions end up being sheeted home to gang activity, maybe that'll change. Maybe we'll actually demand some serious action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid-19 has sneaked through the Auckland boundary. In Kawhia and Karapiro the finger's been pointed at outsiders sneaking to their holiday places. Some say the gangs have brought it in with their Methamphetamine deliveries. The mayor of Waipa Jim Mylchreest has called for all the North Island to go back at level 3 with Auckland. Immunologist Dr Dianne Sika Paotonu joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frustration from businesses that want to do more to help, during the Covid-19 crisis. The Herald's Mood of the Boardroom survey shows CEOs rate Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's ability to build confidence with business, a 1.97 out of five. Employers and Manufacturers' Association Chief Executive Brett O'Riley told Tim Dower businesses feel grumpy, sombre and frustrated. "And really looking to work much more closely with government to be part of the solution; rather than relying on daily press conferences to find out what's going." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A PR expert says the Government needs to attract more people if they want to get vaccination rates up. Just over 20 percent of New Zealanders still haven't had a single dose of the vaccine. Pead PR chief executive Deborah Pead says the Government is making steps in the right direction with the national day of vaccination on October 16th. But she told Tim Dower certain groups have been demonised. "The enemy is not the anti-vaxxers, the enemy is Covid. And so they need a campaign that unites us against a common foe." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like a good supporting act, one of the country's biggest summer festivals is supporting the Government's vaccine certificate. Festival and concert-goers will need to be fully vaccinated this summer in order to attend large scale events. A printable digital Covid-19 vaccine certificate is expected to be available from November Rhythm & Vines co-founder Hamish Pinkham told Tim Dower it's a good move. "That's the new push, that's what we need to get behind and it's certainly going to be no jab, no entry and Rhythm and Vines this summer from all accounts." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaccine passports are on the way. The Government wants a system up and running from November in time for the summer event season. They'd be both printable and in digital form, although you wouldn't need one for the pharmacy for example, or the supermarket. OK, on the face of it, so far so good. Especially in places where there's close contact. There is a growing expectation among customers that people working in hospitality, people operating taxis and buses and on planes will be vaccinated. Businesses see this and some are already moving towards no-jab no job, and they want to be able to display the fact that their staff are vaccinated. Now, the vast majority of us accept we have a responsibility to others to avoid spreading this virus. We'll wear a mask in a shop or on public transport no problem. So vaccinations, and vaccination passports, a card if you like that says 'I'm clean' don't seem too much of a stretch. The problem comes when you start saying people CAN'T go somewhere without the right document. We haven't had that need to carry documents since what, about 1945? Suddenly that's changing. Now don't get me wrong, I've had both vaccinations and I guess I'll get one of these certificates, eventually you'll need one to travel overseas, and to come back home. But some people won't want to, for whatever reason, and that surely has to be up to them. The Bill of Rights does allow limitations on people's freedom of movement and public health is a sound rationale to restrict movement. The tricky bit here is that once again, we're rushing this stuff at the last minute, and that never makes for good legislation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Job listings are continuing to rise, despite the Covid-19 restrictions and Auckland's lockdown. Trade Me job listings are up by nearly a half in the third quarter Enterprise Recruitment chief operating officer Ian McPherson told Tim Dower there's a shortage of supply in most sectors, at most levels. He says that's because the borders are shut, and international students and travellers can't come in. "The lack of ability to bring in skills, it's all creating this storm of demand outstripping supply." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank makes its monetary policy review announcement this afternoon. The guts of it is the Official Cash Rate, which is still at 0.25 percent. Inflation is outside the target range right now at 3.3 percent; so what should we expect? ASB's chief economist, Nick Tuffley, joined Tim Dower. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It won't have been a surprise to see Auckland still locked down pretty tight, after yesterday's Cabinet meeting. The PM talked about this so-called road map, and about going safely and carefully. But reading between the lines, I don't think she's especially comfortable with even these tiny little changes. As I said yesterday, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place; we can't go forward with less than half the country vaccinated. And we can't stand still because the people just won't have it, they're climbing the walls. So the freedom, such as it is, of being able to gather in groups of 10 outdoors with no more than two households, is a very reluctant relaxation. And it's one that could be snatched away with a moment's notice if this thing gets away on us again. This, and all the other changes, will be reviewed on a weekly basis. When you hear that, you might think that in maybe three weeks or so we're starting to see some normality. But you'd be wrong; 20-odd minutes into media conference the truth emerged from Dr Bloomfield, when he said we'd be in this phase for another four to eight weeks. Which could mean it's the end of November before hospitality gets anywhere near normal, hopefully a bit sooner for shops to be able to open again. But already we're being told even this tiny little loosening of the noose could be enough to see the virus get away on us. And if that happens, we'll all be wondering why we went along with this massive sacrifice, only to delay what's perhaps been inevitable since the very beginning. We had an amazing run of luck. Is it over? Let's hope not, and I truly do hope not. But as time goes on and we keep seeing 20s and 30s of new cases every day, I'm beginning to feel a sense of futility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disappointment from Auckland early childhood centres they weren't consulted about phase one of the region's road map out of Covid-19 restrictions. They'll be able to open to all children from tomorrow, not just those of essential workers. However, there'll still be bubbles of 10, and infection control processes. Early Childhood Council acting CEO, Sue Kurtovich, told Tim Dower families are calling to get spaces but most centres are already at capacity. "It’s rather unfortunate that the sector was not involved at all in this announcement, or having any discussion about it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland University Covid modeller Dion O'Neale says being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask and staying outdoors reduces the risk at gatherings. But he told Tim Dower even allowing ten-person two-household gatherings is risky at this stage in the outbreak. "The concerning part about that if that's happening at a point that we still do have ongoing community spread, this change definitely increases the risk that community spread can go much further, much quicker." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's ten years since the container ship Rena smashed into Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga, causing New Zealand's worst ever environmental disaster. Hundreds of tonnes of oil and cargo were spilled and kilometres of coastline was polluted. In the decade since, researchers have been monitoring the effects. Marine ecologist at Waikato University Dr Phil Ross has done hundreds of dives onto the wreck. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calls for the business community to lead the way on vaccination.The head of a travel company wants a logo which indicates when an staff's entire business is vaccinated. Unvaccinated international travellers will be banned from flying with Air New Zealand, from February. Southern Crossings Chief Executive Sarah Farag told Tim Dower vaccination needs to be incentivised. "I think soon enough we've got to see that actually being fully vaccinated does mean something." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're stuck now, a Level 3 lockdown in Auckland that's starting to fragment, and frankly no chance of that being eased today. And now cases in Waikato, no proven link yet to the Auckland outbreak, but if not there, where did it come from? Weeks of restrictions, and yet still Delta is still spreading. What does that tell you? It tells me that not everyone has been playing the game and as time goes on and people go out protesting in the streets, it's going to get away again. Even the Prime Minister admits that locking down Hamilton can't be done. There will be spot checks, but the bottom line is it's up to the general population to please co-operate. Fingers crossed, in other words. I'm lucky I live in a Level 2 region; I'd have probably gone around the bend in Auckland. People I hear on ZB and people I'm in touch with personally are trying to keep chipper but it's exhausting, and I really, sincerely feel for you; you must be so over it. You need your freedom back, but with vaccinations where they are and this virus behaving like, what did Dr B call it? A heat-seeking missile, the consequences would be serious. We haven't got the facilities or the people to treat all the people who'd get sick. And we haven't got the stomach to accept the number of people who wouldn't make it. So we're stuck; a lockdown that isn't working and less than half of us fully vaccinated. Are we supposed to wait till Christmas? Or the 90 percent we're not going to get, before we ease up? Sooner or later we're going to have to accept the trade-off between our freedom, and the consequences of that. And we'll have to navigate our own way through, as individuals. If you want to isolate your way through this that's your call. But as a nation, it's just not working for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton is waking up back in lockdown -- following the confirmation of two new cases in Waikato. As well as the city, Tamahere, Raglan, Ngāruāwahia, Huntly and the rest of the Waikato District have moved to Alert Level Three. Other towns, including Cambridge and Te Awamutu remain in Level Two. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told Tim Dower everyone is being trusted to play their part. "Hamiltonians, people passing through Hamilton, people living on the outskirts of Hamilton, they've all got the pay their part. Because if they don't this, won't work as soon as we'd like it to." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I won’t be here next week because I’m off for a week of the school holidays; to my living room, like every other Aucklander, but before I go, I thought I’d make a prediction for Monday. I still think, as I said the other day, that we’ll go to Level 2 in Auckland and Level 1 for the rest of the country. But it won’t be called Level 2, it’ll be a new bespoke arrangement, some version of a 2 with a cutesy catchphrase they’ll think up to try to make it sound fun; like Delta 2.5+ or something. They'll just want to give us the illusion we're not in 3 anymore. It’ll include a hard boundary around Auckland, as we know already. But, we will get hairdressers open and a few shops, the idea being that we feel so grateful and appreciative for that, that we forget about how long we’ve had our freedoms taken off us. I know people tend to predict things they hope will happen, and I’m guilty of this too, this may be my hope overriding my common sense, but I just can’t see how they keep Auckland in 3 and the rest of the country in 2. When in the same breath they keep saying they’ve got control of this, that there’s no widespread transmission, and that they’re not worried about case numbers. Of course, if that’s the case, then what the hell have we been doing locked up all this time? But logic is not their strong suit, nor reason, they’ll simply look for appropriate spin, and hope we suck it down like Kool Aid. I’m finding fewer and fewer people around these days who find lockdowns a good idea. You’ve got the odd retired person, or those who’ve swallowed the fear messaging who seem to enjoy it, but anyone with a business, a young family, teenagers, students, or half a brain about the country’s economy and debt levels, are over it. We don’t have the same novelty around it this time, it’s been longer and more painful, we’ve had less clarity (if that’s even possible), there’s been no plan, and the ultimate sting that much of this could've been avoided, had we made a decent and timely vaccine order back when everyone else did. Every tunnel needs a light at the end to drag us through it. This one has just felt like a long dark tunnel. A torch flickers on and off periodically when they talk about vaccination rates, but then they back peddle and say ‘oh actually vaccinations are not the only thing that’ll get us out of lockdowns’. So how much is on us and how much is on them? It’s their job to sort ICU nurses and ventilators and vaccines and access to vaccines, all we can do is get vaccinated. Given this Government’s addicted to good press, I reckon we’ll see a political decision made Monday to appease people; a drop of sorts, a bone thrown. I don’t even care anymore, as long as they open the hairdressers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Phillips investigation will need to approach the kids in a way that works for them. Tom Phillips and his three young children Jayda, Maverick and Ember turned up at the family farm at Marokopa yesterday. They hadn't been seen for almost three weeks, and many feared they've been lost at sea. Child psychologist Kathryn Berkett told Kate Hawkesby the way children are approached differs from adults. "We have to sit back, just make them feel safe and let them tell us, and come through with what they need. That's actually the best therapy that we could do for them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayors up and down the country are still far from convinced over the Government's three waters reform programme. The plan is for the sixty-seven local and regional councils' drinking, waste and storm water to be absorbed by four entities. Consultation with the councils ends today after eight weeks, and now Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta will present advice to cabinet about the next steps. Local Government New Zealand president, Stuart Crosby joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The school holidays start today, but it may not provide much relief to struggling businesses around the country. The Prime Minister signalled that Auckland's border will probably stay closed, even if the city moves down to Alert Level Two. It's not the news many businesses dependent on Aucklanders wanted to hear. Blenheim's Phoenix Inn owner Marty Kennedy told Kate Hawkesby the situation is tough. "When you hear those numbers in Auckland going up... you just shake your head and wonder when they're going to get out of this in any great hurry." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.