Increasing reports of horrendous abuse directed towards staff at emergency departments. 

Figures released under the Official Information Act show more than 7,500 reports were logged last year, matching the year before, but up significantly on 2023. 

Just over 1000 reports came from emergency departments. 

Nurses Society Director David Wills told Ryan Bridge the assaults vary in severity but are all distressing for staff. 

He says it's everything from verbal abuse to spitting, biting, pushing, and occasionally sexual assault. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Increasing reports of horrendous abuse directed towards staff at emergency departments.&nbsp;
Figures released under the Official Information Act show more than 7,500 reports were logged last year, matching the year before, but up significantly on 2023.&nbsp;
Just over 1000 reports came from emergency departments.&nbsp;
Nurses Society Director David Wills told Ryan Bridge the assaults vary in severity but are all distressing for staff.&nbsp;
He says it's everything from verbal abuse to spitting, biting, pushing, and occasionally sexual assault.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

David Wills: Nurses Society Director on the increasing reports of abuse towards healthcare staff

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ce49ac95-a421-4fcb-b4a6-b42e017c9afe/transcript

There's worry the new Warrant of Fitness regime will mean more dangerous vehicles on the road.  

Vehicles of almost every age will get their warrants extended, with 14-year-old cars only needing a WOF every two years, rather than annually.  

The Motor Trade Association say one in three cars between eight and 10-years-old currently fail.  

Head of Advocacy James McDowall says it may not even end up saving people money if they rack up more damage and need costly repairs. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's worry the new Warrant of Fitness regime will mean more dangerous vehicles on the road. &nbsp;
Vehicles of almost every age will get their warrants extended, with 14-year-old cars only needing a WOF every two years, rather than annually. &nbsp;
The Motor Trade Association say one in three cars between eight and 10-years-old currently fail. &nbsp;
Head of Advocacy James McDowall says it may not even end up saving people money if they rack up more damage and need costly repairs.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

James McDowall: Motor Trade Association Head of Advocacy on the Government extending the Warrant of Fitness period

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/934dddba-f12d-4af2-a5d3-b42e01841376/transcript

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 17 April.

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 17 April. 
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 17 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b73821d5-59ac-4c27-92ed-b42e012b9f14/transcript

A lift in beneficiaries could suggest recent policy decisions are taking us in the wrong direction. 

At the end of March, just over 409 thousand people were on a main benefit, almost 3% more than the year prior.

Jobseeker numbers are up 2.6%.

Auckland University Associate Economics Professor Susan St John told Ryan Bridge many of the ways we've tried to bring down spending have impacted the labour market.

She says until we can recognise we're in a deep recession it's going to get worse, and we need the Government to step up, otherwise we're stuffed. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A lift in beneficiaries could suggest recent policy decisions are taking us in the wrong direction.&nbsp;
At the end of March, just over 409 thousand people were on a main benefit, almost 3% more than the year prior.
Jobseeker numbers are up 2.6%.
Auckland University Associate Economics Professor Susan St John told Ryan Bridge many of the ways we've tried to bring down spending have impacted the labour market.
She says until we can recognise we're in a deep recession it's going to get worse, and we need the Government to step up, otherwise we're stuffed.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Susan St John: Auckland University Associate Economics Professor on Jobseeker numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4c11268d-33a0-475f-880e-b42e012b645c/transcript

David Wills: Nurses Society Director on the increasing reports of abuse towards healthcare staff

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