There's optimism newly introduced visa-free travel for Chinese and Pacific tourists will prove successful long-term. 

The trial allows visitors to enter New Zealand for up to three months on a valid Australian visa. 

The Government says arrivals have almost tripled since December, reaching 36,800 visits. 

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge the scheme will be reviewed around the 12-month mark to assess its success and any risks. 

She says there's little to no risk, as we're essentially piggybacking off Australia's robust system. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's optimism newly introduced visa-free travel for Chinese and Pacific tourists will prove successful long-term.&nbsp;
The trial allows visitors to enter New Zealand for up to three months on a valid Australian visa.&nbsp;
The Government says arrivals have almost tripled since December, reaching 36,800 visits.&nbsp;
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told Ryan Bridge the scheme will be reviewed around the 12-month mark to assess its success and any risks.&nbsp;
She says there's little to no risk, as we're essentially piggybacking off Australia's robust system.&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

Erica Stanford: Immigration Minister on the visa pathway for Pacific and Chinese travellers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6efb34f2-a12e-4857-8125-b3f6016c9ad2/transcript

A shocking morning for the UK, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being held in custody. 

Police have been investigating allegations the former Prince shared confidential information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.  

The BBC understands Police gave advance warning of his arrest to the Home Office – the UK government's internal affairs department. 

It says his brother King Charles wasn't told of the arrest in advance, but he's released a statement saying the law must take its course. 

UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge this marks a huge day. 

He says you have to go back about 350 years since a member of the Royal Family was captured in any way. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A shocking morning for the UK, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being held in custody.&nbsp;
Police have been investigating allegations the former Prince shared confidential information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. &nbsp;
The BBC understands Police gave advance warning of his arrest to the Home Office – the UK government's internal affairs department.&nbsp;
It says his brother King Charles wasn't told of the arrest in advance, but he's released a statement saying the law must take its course.&nbsp;
UK correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge this marks a huge day.&nbsp;
He says you have to go back about 350 years since a member of the Royal Family was captured in any way.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cc71295a-d980-40a4-aa9c-b3f601709752/transcript

The spotlight's on the Royal Family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. 

This follows allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.  

The family of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who also accused Mountbatten-Windsor of misconduct, told the BBC they celebrated after hearing of his arrest. 

Mountbatten Windsor's brother King Charles says the law must take its course.  

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Ryan Bridge with everything in the public eye, it'll be hard to keep calm and carry on. 

He says it seems Mountbatten-Windsor's in for a very tough ride, but so is the Royal Family. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The spotlight's on the Royal Family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.&nbsp;
This follows allegations the former Prince shared sensitive information with late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. &nbsp;
The family of late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who also accused Mountbatten-Windsor of misconduct, told the BBC they celebrated after hearing of his arrest.&nbsp;
Mountbatten Windsor's brother King Charles says the law must take its course. &nbsp;
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Ryan Bridge with everything in the public eye, it'll be hard to keep calm and carry on.&nbsp;
He says it seems Mountbatten-Windsor's in for a very tough ride, but so is the Royal Family.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Richard Fitzwilliams: Royal Commentator on the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0595457d-ae12-4468-926c-b3f6016e1dfe/transcript

An Auckland City Counsellor says the Government's plans for the CBD won't be clear for a while. 

It's reducing the proposed homes allowed in the Supercity from 2 million to 1.6 million. 

The revision to new density rules will focus more on builds in the central city and around key transit hubs, than in suburban areas. 

Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker told Ryan Bridge he doesn't think it'll please everybody and isn't the silver bullet some people have been asking for. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

An Auckland City Counsellor says the Government's plans for the CBD won't be clear for a while.&nbsp;
It's reducing the proposed homes allowed in the Supercity from 2 million to 1.6 million.&nbsp;
The revision to new density rules will focus more on builds in the central city and around key transit hubs, than in suburban areas.&nbsp;
Franklin Ward Councillor Andy Baker told Ryan Bridge he doesn't think it'll please everybody and isn't the silver bullet some people have been asking for.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Andy Baker: Franklin Ward Councillor on Auckland housing intensification

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ca521789-5c2c-4ebf-8c77-b3f6011dc158/transcript

Erica Stanford: Immigration Minister on the visa pathway for Pacific and Chinese travellers

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