Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

"This is the saviour."Those were the words of Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult who could not wipe the smile from his face late yesterday afternoon after learning quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and Australia will start in less than a fortnight."I could not be happier."He said he had done "umpteen" interviews with Australian media organisations yesterday before the announcement, "and they are ready to come".That was evident at The Rees Hotel, where about 130 room bookings, primarily for July, came in from Australia between 5pm and 6.30pm.Chief executive Mark Rose said he also received one booking for April 19 and "a little bit" for May."But late June, the three weeks through the school holidays, it's just gone mental."We're really, really happy."Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Colin Keel said the airport would be accepting only "green zone" flights — initially there would be about 40 flights, both arrivals and departures, between Queenstown and Australia per week.Direct scheduled services would be operated by Air New Zealand and Qantas between Queenstown and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to start."Within the coming weeks we expect Jetstar and Virgin Australia to confirm the recommencement dates for their services, including the Queenstown to Gold Coast route," Keel said.Safety of travellers and the public would continue to be of paramount importance.Boult said he had been given assurances by public health authorities that "all steps" would be taken to ensure there was minimal risk to the community at large, and vulnerable people particularly.Queenstown Chamber of Commerce chairman Craig Douglas said his overriding feeling yesterday was "relief"."Businesses will have customers coming in numbers that hopefully will make the businesses viable again."Flame restaurant owner Lou McDowell said her initial reaction was "hallelujah"."It's just super, super exciting."It's exceptionally good news for the whole community and the region in general."It's great for business, great for the workforce who, as we know, have been working on reduced hours ... and also really encouraging for mental health."Last year we all survived on hope and what we didn't know ... [yesterday] there was just this huge sigh of relief."Wayfare chief executive Stephen England-Hall said while it was welcome news for the tourism industry, it was also brilliant for those who had been separated from loved ones in Australia for over a year."I'm really feeling, I guess, heart-warmed for those people ... I think that's what the big kicker is today."He acknowledged, however, those who were concerned about the borders opening and the increased risk of community transmission that may result in."[But] if there was going to be a material increase of risk to Kiwis, I don't believe the Prime Minister would have made that decision."At Dunedin's Vincent George Travel yesterday there was excitement tempered with apprehension among would-be travellers.Travel broker Rosann Connolly-George did not expect huge numbers of travellers rushing back and forth immediately, but said the announcement offered clarity for travellers and a boost for travel agents.Flight Centre NZ managing director David Coombes said demand for a transtasman bubble had been steadily increasing from both sides of the Tasman over the past couple of weeks and staff had already been taking bookings.But helloworld managing director Andrew Carmody said Australian visitors alone would not save businesses reliant on tourism.Otago Peninsula Trust ecotourism manager Hoani Langsbury said in the past Dunedin's royal albatross colony had relied on visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.Hoani Langsbury with handfuls of cockles at the Otago Peninsula Trust royal albatross colony. Photo / Peter McIntosh,...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The lack of rainy day savings is coming back to haunt some mortgage holders.The mortgage deferral scheme ended this week, after a year's relief for some home owners hit by the Covid crunch.Mortgage broker Sue Tierney says many felt forced to take up the offer, with no savings to fall back on.She says on average, New Zealand families save just over $400 a year -- so there's little to cushion when hardship hits.Cooking The Books podcast host Frances Cook joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford to discuss our savings habits.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors.He regularly joins Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to answer all listeners' employment related questions.Today, he joined the show to answer questions about an employee being overpaid, public holidays, and leave for mental health troubles among other things.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Climate Change Commission recently proposed a ban on petrol and diesel powered vehicles by 2035.The boss of Toyota New Zealand Neeraj Lala says that just won't work in New Zealand.He says Electric Vehicles are in short supply worldwide and that they don't offer the versatility New Zealanders want.He says the policy may backfire and we might end up with even more vehicles on the road.Neeraj Lala joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to explain.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salvage teams have finally freed the colossal container ship stuck for nearly a week in the Suez Canal, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the world’s most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.A flotilla of tugboats, helped by the tides, wrenched the bulbous bow of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given from the canal’s sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged since March 23.Sydney University Professor of Ports and Maritime Logistics Michael Bell joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford to chat about this incredible story.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has been accused of being soft on prisoners and not having the backs of prison guards.The Corrections Union has consistently raised the issue of prisoners assaulting guards, and they say nothing is ever done about it.On top of that they are annoyed that Davis is seen to be advocating on behalf of the prisoners - so much so that a vote of no confidence was considered.Anna Leask NZ Herald Senior Crime and Justice Reporter and author of the book 'Behind Bars, Real Life Stories From Inside New Zealand Prisons' joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford to give her perspective.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in Huntly will soon be able to commute to Auckland by train.Te Huia passenger rail service opens to the public just after Easter.It travels from Frankton in Hamilton to Papakura, stopping in Huntly along the way.It could potentially replace up to 73 thousand return car trips annually.There has however been some criticism of the fact that it will take longer in the train than in a car.Jodi Johnston from the Campaign for Better Transport joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford on the show.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stranding of a massive cargo ship in the Suez Canal is likely to have ripple effects across the global economy.Experts say it could take weeks to remove the ship and clear the canal.Officials have closed the key trading route between Asia and Europe -- forcing ships to detour around the African continent to deliver goods.Chris Edwards is the President of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Siouxsie Wiles has become a household name in New Zealand since the emergence of COVID-19 in her role as a microbiologist and science communicator. Among her many accolades, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication in the 2019, and is a finalist for this years’ New Zealander of the Year awards. She was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford’s guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Uber's new delivery service is being labelled irresponsible and out of touch.It's launched an alcohol delivery service in Auckland this week - through UberEats.It plans to expand to Christchurch and Wellington in coming weeks.But Hapai Te Hauora chief executive, Selah Hart, says Uber's ignoring our unsafe drinking culture.She joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford to put her case.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A renters' advocate is worried about tenants being asked to pay more which he said would hurt the more vulnerable. The Government’s new housing policy will see new investors being stung under the bright line test if they sell an existing home within 10 years. They also won't be able to claim home loan interest repayments as a business expense. Renters United spokesperson Ashok Jacob told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford they’re disappointed that there was nothing announced to support renters, and may even see landlords try and raise rents. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hasbro is turning to fans for help modernising its classic board game Monopoly.The toy company announced last week that it is changing all 16 of the game's Community Chest cards to better reflect what community means to fans today."Covering topics like beauty contests, holiday funds, and life insurance, there is no denying the Monopoly game's Community Chest Cards are long overdue for a refresh," according to a press release from the company.The cards are collected by players and are used to dole out penalties or rewards for a various reasons, like winning second place in a beauty contest or being assessed for street repairs."The world has changed a lot since Monopoly became a household name more than 85 years ago, and clearly today community is more important than ever," said Eric Nyman, chief consumer officer at Hasbro.Fans can now vote on the new set of cards that revolve around topics like shopping at local stores, rescuing an animal, volunteering and donating blood."We felt like 2021 was the perfect time to give fans the opportunity to show the world what community means to them through voting on new Community Chest Cards," Nyman said. "We're really excited to see what new cards get voted in!"There are numerous themed versions of Monopoly and the company changed some of the game's board pieces in 2017. But this will be the first time in more than 85 years that the Rhode Island-based company has changed the game's community cards.Last year, Hasbro reported a 21% jump in gaming sales as the result of homebound people looking for ways to occupy their time.Hasbro also announced last week it will be hosting a Monopoly Charity Classic this spring featuring four different celebrities who will be playing to win money for charity. Fans will be able to watch on YouTube as the game unfolds and get one of the first glimpses of the new community cards.The updated game with the new community cards is set to be released in the fall, according to Hasbro.text by Amanda Jackson, CNNSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government will pour close to $4 billion into a scheme to accelerate the pace of new house builds, which is expected to help see "tens of thousands" of new properties built.It is also doubling the capital gains tax-esque bright-line test from five, to ten years - meaning any gains on a residential property that is not a family home will be taxed if the property is sold within ten years of purchase.Infometrics Senior Economist Brad Olsen joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to discuss the changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Paul first made a splash on Kiwi television screens in the 90’s thanks to her wildly successful infomercials and infectious personality. She went on to become one of the country’s much loved figures, starring in several TV shows such as Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?, Garage Sale and Dancing with the Stars which she won in 2007. She’s also a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and stand-up comedian She was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford’s guest for this weeks’ Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honours are always controversial so with Team New Zealand's America's Cup Victory fresh in our minds Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford asked 'should it be Sir Grant Dalton?'To answer the question - and talk about the win - yachting great and commentator Peter Lester joined the show.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Green Party has unveiled its plan to stop the "runaway housing crisis" as the Government gears up to announce the first of its much-anticipated steps to address the overheated market.But the plan does not come from Marama Davidson – who is an Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness).Rather, the party's finance spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter has outlined what the Greens want to be done in the housing space, which is:Removing the five-year cap for the bright-line test• Ending interest-only mortgages• Implement debt-to-income ratios, especially for property investors• Requiring cash deposits for investment properties• The Government to spend more money on income support schemes• Kāinga Ora to lead a large-scale urban redevelopment and home buying programmeThe Greens plan comes as house prices across the country continue to rise sharply.According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, the national median selling price increased by $50,000 from January, while Auckland's median price was up $100,000 for the month.Give this rapid increase, Genter said the Greens are calling for "bold, urgent interventions in the housing market"."We must use all the tools in the toolbox to stop the accelerating housing crisis in its tracks, failure to do so will mean things only keep getting worse."Everyone has the right to a decent, affordable home, but house prices are out of control."Her comments come a week ahead of the Government's first housing-related announcement, due to be delivered next week.It was originally meant to be unveiled in mid-February, but the two Auckland level 3 lockdowns pushed the schedule out.Because of this, the announcement will include some supply measures as well as the originally planned demand-side measures.The Government has stayed relatively mum on what it plans to announce – Finance Minister Grant Robertson has deliberately not gone into specifics.But he said on Tuesday morning that the package of housing policies the Government is due to unveil next week will include a "mixture of both incentives to go [invest] elsewhere and disincentives within the housing system".Text by Jason Walls, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a huge day for Emirates Team New Zealand who are within touching distance of retaining the America's Cup.The defender needs one more win - their 30 second victory in race nine has them leading the best of 13 race series 6-3.Yachting great Dean Barker joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Team New Zealand is taking it one race at a time in retaining the America's Cup.The defender leads the best of 13 race series 5-3 heading into race nine and 10 this afternoon.Light winds are forecast which could make it tricky for racing, with race director Iain Murray admitting they're taking a gamble by selecting course C.Brad Butterworth is one of this country’s finest ever sailors. He joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford for a remarkably chilled out chat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Fox is one of our finest professional golfers. After turning pro in 2012 he went on to win the Western Australian Open in 2014, and the Queensland PGA Championship the following year. In 2017 he had a run of success in the important summer Rolex Series events, before going on to win his first European Tour event in 2019, being the first New Zealander to win on the European Tour in 10 years. He was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford's guest for this week’s Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brad Butterworth is one of this country’s finest ever sailors. He was tactician to Russell Coutts for New Zealand’s breakthrough Cup victory in San Diego in 1995, was there for the successful defence in Auckland in 2000 and went on to win another 2 America's Cups He told Simon and Phil he's hoping it will be a tight race from a spectator's point of view. But says he believes Peter Burling has the edge over rival Jimmy Spithill.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors.He regularly joins Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to answer all listeners' employment related questions.Today, he discussed a boss who told a worker to come into the office rather than work from home during Lockdown because he would be distracted by his newborn baby, working for a foreign company while based in New Zealand and a question over clocking in. among other things.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time when Tourism is hurting badly, Air New Zealand's chief environmental advisor Sir Jonathon Porritt has suggested price of international flights should rise to pay for greenhouse gas emissions.Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford spent an hour discussing the issue with listeners and sought the opinion of Otago University Professor of Tourism James Higham.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otago University Chair of Earthquake Science Prof Mark Stirling joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to discuss the earthquakes in the Kermadecs that triggered today's tsunami alerts.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tsunami warnings have been further lifted for most of New Zealand after being put in place soon following a magnitude 8.1 earthquake near the Kermadec Islands this morning.Niwa hydro dynamic scientist Emily Lane joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to explain how a tsunami works.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tsunami warnings have been lifted after this morning's 8.1 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands but people still shouldn't go near or in the water.Anyone who evacuated can return home.Civil Defence says the threat level has been downgraded to a beach and marine threat and GNS Science says the largest waves have passed.Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan spoke to Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford once the evacuate warning was lifted.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of New Zealand following earthquakes off the Kermadec Islands.Far North mayor John Carter was out and about in his community checking people were aware they needed to evacuate to higher ground.John Carter spoke to Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karl Budge oversaw the ASB Classic from 2012, building it into one of the best on the pro circuit and bringing some of the greatest athletes in the world to New Zealand. During his career he’s held senior roles for some of the World’s highest profile rights holders and brands. And has just been announced as event director of the much-anticipated SailGP series, with the NZ Grand Prix being held in Christchurch next year. He was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford's guest for this week's Six and a Song.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland City Manukau Ward Councillor Efeso Collins joined Simon Barnett & Phil Gifford to talk about the backlash he's faced since expressing frustration over repetition of conspiracy theories and misinformation by Church leaders and others in his community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irene Van Dyk is one of the world's best-known netballers. She is the most capped international player ever and known by many as one of the greatest of all time. Her talent showed no bounds when she made New Zealand her home in 2000 after emigrating from South Africa in her late 20s, quickly becoming the face of the Silver Ferns and went on to rewrite the record books while continuing to play at the highest level into her 40s. She forged an extraordinary international record which included five Netball World Cups and four Commonwealth Games and was honoured for her services to Netball in 2009 when awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Irene was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford's guest for this weeks Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public health expert believes it's too early to suggest opening our borders to our neighbours.It comes amid renewed calls for New Zealand to open its border to Australia, allowing quarantine free travel between the two nations.Otago University Professor Michael Baker told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford now may not be the right time."Often the devil's in the detail, and you've got to have certain conditions met by all of the countries so its a mutually agreeable arrangement."LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk's dabblings with Bitcoin got Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford talking about the cryptocurrency. The more they discussed it the more confused they got, so time to call in an expert in the form of Associate Professor Alex Sims from Auckland University's Business School.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors.He regularly joins Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to answer all listeners' employment related questions.Today, he joined the show to answer questions about the costs of doing business as a contractor, injured workers and business travel in the Covid 19 age among other things.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lexie Brown is The Bacelorette. The 31-year-old Wellingtonian stars in the second series of the TVNZ reality TV show screening Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on TVNZ.... She joined Phil Gifford and Tyler Adams (in for Simon Barnett) for Six & A Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change is coming to Invercargill's City Council.Newstalk ZB host Marcus Lush's been elected a seat at the table after scoring more than half of the already counted votes in the by-election.He told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford the public's spirits are low."A lot of people in Bluff and Invercargill have spoken to me and they seemed pretty disillusioned with the council."I don't know if that's right across the country, but it did concern me with what people had to say."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Montgomery is one our finest ever sports broadcasters. Best known as "The Voice of the America's Cup" he revolutionised the media coverage of yachting, covering 11, soon to be 12 America’s Cup regattas, along with nine Olympic Games, Round the World races, and numerous international regattas. His many accolades include broadcaster of the year, Communicator of the Year, Yachtsman of the Year, Sport and Recreation NZ lifetime contribution to journalism, and he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2005. He was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford's guest for this weeks' Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jared Carter from the Vermont Law School joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to discuss what happens next in the trial and how many Republicans will ultimately need to side with the Democrats for this to passSix Republicans joined all of their Democratic colleagues to vote that the impeachment trial against former President Donald Trump is constitutional, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy emerging as the sole Republican to switch his vote after an initial vote on constitutionality last week.The 56-44 final vote marked the closing chapter of Tuesday's proceedings, with the Senate adjourned until noon on Wednesday (local time). All but six Republican senators voted that the trial was unconstitutional because Trump is no longer president. It was the second time such a vote was taken after Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, forced a vote on the same question last month.Here's which Republican senators voted that the impeachment trial was consistent with the Constitution:Sen. Susan Collins of MaineSen. Bill Cassidy of LouisianaSen. Lisa Murkowski of AlaskaSen. Mitt Romney of UtahSen. Ben Sasse of NebraskaSen. Pat Toomey of PennsylvaniaCassidy told CNN Tuesday after the House managers' presentation that it was a "very good opening" and they made strong arguments. During their presentation, House impeachment managers showed how rioters violently breached the US Capitol and attacked police officers, invoking Trump's name as they tried to disrupt the certification of the November election."House managers were focused, they were organized," and "made a compelling argument," Cassidy said after the vote. In contrast, he added, "President Trump's team were disorganized. They did everything they could but to talk about the question at hand and when they talked about it, they kind of glided over, almost as if they were embarrassed of their arguments."Several Republican senators slammed the arguments offered by Trump's legal team as lackluster. Murkowski said she "was really stunned at the first attorney who presented for former President Trump," attorney Bruce Castor."I couldn't figure out where he was going, spent 45 minutes going somewhere, but I don't think he helped with us better understanding where he was coming from on the constitutionality of this," she added. "And I felt that (fellow Trump attorney David) Schoen did a ... better job but I think they sure had a missed opportunity with their first, first attorney there."Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn bluntly told reporters, "I thought the President's lawyer the first lawyer just rambled on and on and on and didn't really address the constitutional argument -- finally the second lawyer got around to it, and I thought, did an effective job." He quickly added, "But I've seen a lot of lawyers and a lot of arguments and that was it was not one of the finest I've seen."Trump was unhappy with Castor's opening argument on the Senate floor, according to two people familiar with his reaction. Trump was almost screaming as Castor made meandering arguments that struggled to get at the heart of his defense team's argument, which is supposed to be over the constitutionality of holding a trial for a president no longer in office.Schoen, who spoke second, was initially going to present first, not Castor, according to two people familiar with the plan.The Senate tabled the initial effort by Paul, a Kentucky Republican, late last month to force a vote on the constitutionality of the trial, but the vote offered an indicator for how Republican senators -- who overwhelmingly voted for Paul's measure -- feel about the trial.Paul's motion was killed on a 55-45 vote, with five Republicans joining all Democrats, meaning 45 Republicans voted for Paul's effort. Romney, Sasse, Collins, Murkowski and Toomey crossed party lines to join with Democrats on that vote.text by Manu...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gareth Abdinor is an Employment Lawyer and Partner with Malley & Co solicitors.He regularly joins Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford to answer all listeners' employment related questions.Today, he joined the show to answer questions about being paid while waiting for a Covid test result, meal breaks & missing leave days among other things.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where did the waterbed disappear to? They were so popular back in the 70s and 80s and then they vanished! With the help of former waterbed retailer (and ZB advertiser) Craig Barnes we tracked down Charlie Hall - the man who invented the waterbed in 1968.LISTEN BELOWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annabel Langbein is one of this country’s most well known cooks, authors, and television personalities. She’s written and self-published over 25 books, which along with her TV series have won numerous national and international awards. In 2013 she received New Zealand's most prestigious individual achievement award, a World Class New Zealand Award, and in 2018 was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a food writer. Her latest book is a memoir, ‘Bella, My Life in Food’, Annabel was Simon and Phil’s guest for this week's Six and a Song.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaccinologist and Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Helen Petousis-Harris joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford for a Q&A answering listeners' questions and dispel some myths around the Covid-19 vaccines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joseph Flavill slipped out of one world and woke up in another.On March 1, 2020, when the 19-year-old was struck by a car in Staffordshire, central England, the United Kingdom had recorded just 23 cases of a concerning new virus. The vast majority of Covid-19 infections were still confined to China, and the United States had confirmed just one death.Sporting events, bars and restaurants teemed with life. And in Flavill's home country that day, newspaper front pages were leading not with the spreading disease, but on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that he and his fiancée were expecting a child.Weeks later, the world had ground to a halt. But everything that has happened since March 1 has passed Flavill by, even though he caught Covid-19 while unconscious.Now, the teenager has begun to emerge from a 10-month coma -- elating his family but confronting them with a new question: How do you explain a year like no other?"When he comes out of this, life will not be as he knows it at all," Flavill's aunt, Kate Yarbo, told CNN. "How do you describe it?"I think it's going to be a shock. We're all still processing it -- I'm not sure you can ever actually describe how this pandemic feels."The family's ordeal began just days before the rapid onslaught of cancellations, fatalities and lockdowns.Flavill, a cricket and hockey fan, was preparing to visit Buckingham Palace in May to collect the Duke of Edinburgh youth achievement award. But a collision with a car left him with a traumatic brain injury to the back of his head, and he was rushed to a hospital in Leicester, central England.Three weeks later, Britain was in lockdown -- meaning only his mother, Sharon Flavill, was permitted to visit him in hospital, at a distance, dressed head-to-toe in protective equipment. "Life was suspended, and then lockdown happened," said Yarbo.His mother is still waiting until it's safe to touch her son, who is now recovering at a care home.The pandemic has drastically affected Flavill's hospital care, but it is unclear whether he has grasped his family's explanations as to why."How scary is it to (have nurses) in PPE when you don't understand what's going on?" Yarbo asked."He's only ever going to understand it through our ability to describe it, and through news stories. The horror," she said. "So many people have said it's like sitting watching a sci-fi film, isn't it? You couldn't write the pandemic as a film.""That's what it's going to be exactly like for Joseph ... never having to go through the fear and emotion we all had, because when you're looking at it afterwards, hopefully lots of the fear will be gone."'You want to hold his hand'The rest of the family spoke to Flavill virtually, trying all they could to stimulate his brain through video and audio, enlisting the help of relatives and friends through the Joseph's Journey fundraising page."He's been in such pain, he's had seizures, it's been a horrible traumatic journey for him," Yarbo said. And then, in the past few days and weeks, a breakthrough came.First, Flavill smiled when he was played audio recorded in a plane cockpit. Next came a Zoom call with his aunt. "I was joking with him that one day he'll be able to talk, and reminiscing about our Cornwall holidays. I said, 'will you promise me your first word is going to be pasty?'" Yarbo said, referring to the famous Cornish pastry. "And then he blinked.""Something just turned in my tummy. I said 'did you blink on purpose?' and he blinked twice. Then we knew he was communicating."Since then, his progress has been rapid."The last week has been incredible," Yarbo said. "He can't speak yet but clearly he's starting to gain control of his limbs, and his sense of humor's there, he's starting to laugh at jokes.""We're all really stunned, it's amazing what the brain can do."Flavill caught Covid-19 while...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Willis is New Zealand’s only two-time Olympic medallist in the 1500 metres event, winning silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and bronze at Rio in 2016. He holds the national and Oceania record for the same distance, claimed three consecutive Commonwealth Games medals between 2006 and 2014, and last week broke the sub-4 minute mile for a record 19 years in a row. He joined Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford for this week's Six and a Song, where he talked about the delay to the Tokyo Olympics, and how he spent lockdown when he couldn't train. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has begun using anal swabs to test those it considers to be at high risk of contracting Covid-19, state TV has reported.Officials have taken anal swabs from residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed Covid-19 cases in Beijing last week, according to state broadcaster CCTV.Those in designated quarantine facilities have also received anal swab tests.To collect test samples, the swab needs to be inserted about 3-5cm into the rectum and rotated several times.After completing the motion twice, the swab is removed before being securely placed inside a sample container. The whole procedure is said to take about 10 seconds.The mass testing in the capital was sparked after a 9-year-old tested positive for the virus last week.Since January 17, more than three million residents in three Beijing districts have received coronavirus testing in a bid to stem the contagion, authorities said.More than 1,000 staff and students at the infected young patient's school also underwent a variety of nucleic acid tests including the anal swabs, reported state media.Anal swabs have been used in China to test for Covid-19 since last year, but the method is mainly used in key groups at quarantine centres because of its inconvenience, according to a Chinese disease control expert.Speaking to state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday, Li Tongzeng from Beijing You'an Hospital said that traces of the virus linger longer in the anus or excrement than those samples taken from throat and nasal swabs."We found that some asymptomatic patients tend to recover quickly. It's possible that there will be no trace of the virus in their throat after three to five days," Li noted."But the virus lasts longer from the samples taken from the patient's digestive tract and excrement, compared to the ones taken from the respiratory tract."If we conduct anal swabs for nucleic acid testing, it would increase the detection rates of patients and lower the chance of a missed diagnosis," the expert claimed.Arrivals into the China must have multiple negative test results and quarantine for at least 14 days in a designated hotel on arrival, with many cities and regions imposing additional home observation requirements.As of Wednesday, China has reported a total of 89,272 confirmed infections. Its death toll rose by one to 4,636 following an additional fatality on Monday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former president and CEO of the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and his wife are facing charges -- including failure to self-isolate -- after allegedly chartering a plane to a small town in western Canada and posing as local workers to receive the coronavirus vaccine.Rodney and Ekaterina Baker have been charged under Yukon's Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA), according to court documents.Yukon Community Services Minister John Streicker said the couple showed up at a mobile clinic last Thursday in Beaver Creek, home to an indigenous community.One of them presented a British Columbia health care card, the other had one from Ontario, Streicker said in a statement.The Bakers weren't charged for getting the vaccine. Rather, they were accused of not following quarantine requirements after arriving in the Canadian territory.According to a charging document, the Bakers are from Vancouver, British Columbia, southeast of the Yukon territory."I am outraged by this selfish behaviour, and find it disturbing that people would choose to put fellow Canadians at risk in this manner," Streicker said. "Reports allege these individuals were deceptive and violated emergency measures for their own advantage, which is completely unacceptable at any time, but especially during a public health crisis."CNN was unable Tuesday to reach the Bakers for comment.Couple posed as local motel employees, reports sayIndigenous communities are one of the groups given priority for Covid-19 vaccinations, according to Canada's vaccine guidance. They are often also disproportionately affected by the novel coronavirus because they can be in areas where health care access is limited.Beaver Creek, the westernmost community in Canada, is the home of the White River First Nation. It is just a few miles from the Alaska border.The Bakers allegedly chartered a plane from the city of Whitehorse in Yukon to Beaver Creek, which has about 125 residents, and claimed they were employees at a local motel, Streicker told CNN news partner CBC.The Bakers arrived in Yukon from Vancouver on January 19 and were supposed to be self-isolating for 14 days in Whitehorse, according to officials. According to a complaint made to law enforcement, they traveled to Beaver Creek on January 21. The travel was not allowed because of quarantine requirements, officials said.After getting their shots, the couple raised suspicions in the community by asking for a ride to the airport, Streicker told CNN news partner CBC."And people were like, 'Well, why would you be going to the airport?' " Streicker said.Following an investigation, the couple was located at the Whitehorse airport, and Yukon officials told CNN the couple left the territory that same day.Members of the mobile clinic team called the motel and were informed the couple did not work there, Streicker told CBC.CNN reached out to Streicker for comment on Tuesday but did not hear back.As for getting the vaccines, according to Streicker, the British Columbia and Ontario health cards wouldn't have necessarily prevented the Bakers from getting them, as there are many out-of-territory workers in the region.Rodney, 55, and Ekaterina Baker, 32, were each charged with failure to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry into the territory and failure to behave in a manner consistent with the declaration provided upon entry into the territory.Charges under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) may include fines up to $500; up to 6 months in prison; or both, according to Yukon's Covid-19 orders and directions. The Bakers were each levied a $500 fine and $75 surcharge on both counts.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police were alerted to the situation. The RCMP's Yukon office said Tuesday it is investigating; it would not reply to CNN questions.The Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, a hotel and casino company with 25 Canadian...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, declaring that "democracy has prevailed" and summoning American resilience and unity to confront the deeply divided nation's historic confluence of crises.Denouncing a national "uncivil war," Biden took the oath at a U.S. Capitol that had been battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks earlier. Then, taking his place in the White House Oval Office, he plunged into a stack of executive actions that began to undo the heart of his polarizing predecessor 's agenda on matters from the deadly pandemic to climate change.At the Capitol, with America's tradition of peaceful transfers of power never appearing more fragile, the ceremony unfolded within a circle of security forces evocative of a war zone and devoid of crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic.Instead, Biden gazed out on a cold Washington morning dotted with snow flurries to see over 200,000 American flags planted on the National Mall to symbolize those who could not attend in person."The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We've learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed," Biden declared in his speech. "This is America's day. This is democracy's day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve."History was made at his side, as Kamala Harris became the first woman to be vice president. The former U.S. senator from California is also the first Black person and the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency and the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the U.S. government.Biden never mentioned his predecessor, who defied tradition and left town ahead of the ceremony, but his speech was an implicit rebuke of Donald Trump. The new president denounced "lies told for power and for profit" and was blunt about the challenges ahead.Central among them: the surging virus that has claimed more than 400,000 lives in the United States, as well as economic strains and a national reckoning over race."We have much to do in this winter of peril, and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain," Biden said. "Few people in our nation's history have been more challenged, or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we're in now."Biden was eager to go big early, with an ambitious first 100 days including a push to speed up the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations to anxious Americans and pass a $1.9 trillion economic relief package. It included a blitz of executive orders on matters that don't require congressional approval — a mix of substantive and symbolic steps to unwind the Trump years. His actions included re-entry into the Paris Climate Accords and a mandate for wearing masks on federal property."There's no time to start like today," a masked Biden said. in the Oval Office. Then he swore in hundreds of aides — virtually — telling them, "You're my possibilities."The absence of Biden's predecessor from the inaugural ceremony underscored the national rift to be healed.But a bipartisan trio of former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama — were there to witness the transfer of power. Trump, awaiting his second impeachment trial, was at his Florida resort by the time the swearing-in took place.Biden, in his third run for the presidency, staked his candidacy less on any distinctive political ideology than on galvanizing a broad coalition of voters around the notion that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. Four years after Trump's "American Carnage" speech painted a dark portrait of national decay, Biden warned that the fabric of the nation's democracy was tearing but could be repaired."I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man has scaled one of Hong Kong's tallest towers for charity, ten years after an injury left him wheelchair-bound.Lai Chi-Wai raised almost HK$5.5 million ($1 million) while climbing the 320-metre Nina Tower on Saturday. The 37-year-old climber completed the gruelling 10-hour climb, hauling himself and a wheelchair up the skyscraper in Kowloon."I was quite scared," Lai told local reporters. "Climbing up a mountain, I can hold onto rocks or little holes, but with glass, all I can really rely on is the rope that I'm hanging off."Lai, a former champion rock-climber, had ranked 8th in the world. However, after a road accident in 2011 left him paralysed from the waist down, he considered retiring from the sport.However, Lai made a return to the sport. Just five years later he climbed Hong Kong's Lion Rock, the city's most iconic cliff face in his wheelchair.In an interview with the BBC, the climber said being able to return to his sport had been a huge motivation."Knowing there was a possibility...that I could be a climber again, I found some direction in life."On the 10th anniversary of his accident, the athlete set his aims higher – taking on one of Hong Kong's most iconic skyscrapers. The first attempt was postponed from the week before due to weather and safety concerns, however on Saturday he proceeded with the climb.Battling with wind, and knotting ropes, Lai completed 250 meters of the 300 metre climb before it was called off for safety reasons.Slapping his helmet to keep himself awake, and taking small breaks to rest his arms, icy nighttime conditions meant that he could not haul his wheelchair onto the very top of the tower. The athlete told his Facebook group of the difficult decision to stop at the last 48 metres of rope."Some people don't understand the difficulties of disabled people, some people think that we are always weak, we need help, we need assistance, we need people's pity," the Guardian quoted Lai."But, I want to tell everyone, it doesn't have to be like that. If a disabled person can shine, they can at the same time bring about opportunity, hope, bring about light, they don't have to be viewed as weak.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The job of playing the office Secret Santa at Newstalk ZB this year fell to our Political Editor Barry Soper.He did a fine job but we had to keep him away from the egg nog!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Jamieson is a superstar of international cricket right now. After playing as a batsman in his younger days, it wasn't until he joined the New Zealand U19 team that he was asked to seriously consider focusing on fast bowling as a primary skill. One of the tallest fast bowlers in the world, he burst onto the international scene in February this year against India, and to date has taken a phenomenal 20 wickets in just 4 test cricket matches. He was Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford’s guest for this week’s Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The America's Cup World Series is the first opportunity for the teams to go head-to-head in official races, having squared off several times in practice duels in recent weeks.The first three days follow a double round-robin format, with four races each day. Each team will face their three opponents on two occasions.The top-ranked team from the round-robin will then face the fourth-best team in one semifinal, with the second- and third-placed teams squaring off in the other.The winners of each semifinal will face off in the Christmas Cup decider, while the two losers will race in a playoff for third.For Team New Zealand, it is their only chance to take on the three prospective challengers in official races before the America's Cup match next March.Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford took the opportunity to chat with Peter Montgomery - The Voice Of Yachting.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A claim has been lodged for damages against Parliamentary Services by a former staffer wrongly called a rapist by the Speaker of the House.Trevor Mallard has answered questions before a select committee about spending more than $300,000 of taxpayer money fighting a defamation case filed by the staffer.Political editor Barry Soper told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford the claim was revealed when the head of Parliamentary Services was cross examined."We’re not looking at the last of the pay outs. We could see more payments given - and this puts Parliamentary Services in a very difficult situation.”Mallard said he wanted to appear before the Governance and Administration Select Committee because he cared "deeply" about Parliamentary accountability and transparency and ensured a clause was included in the settlement which allowed him to do so.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.