The first case of its kind in New Zealand, a former Super Rugby player has been diagnosed post-death with a degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Billy Guyton played for the Blues, Hurricanes, and Crusaders, but died in a suspected suicide aged 33.

An examination of his brain by the Neurological Foundation's Brain Bank has now identified he had stage 2 CTE. 

Auckland University neuroscientist Helen Murray told Mike Hosking that CTE is caused by the repetitive accumulation of head impacts. 

She says it's not necessarily the number of concussions but the number of impacts, and that might not have generated any symptoms.

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The first case of its kind in New Zealand, a former Super Rugby player has been diagnosed post-death with a degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy. 
Billy Guyton played for the Blues, Hurricanes, and Crusaders, but died in a suspected suicide aged 33. 
An examination of his brain by the Neurological Foundation's Brain Bank has now identified he had stage 2 CTE.  
Auckland University neuroscientist Helen Murray told Mike Hosking that CTE is caused by the repetitive accumulation of head impacts.  
She says it's not necessarily the number of concussions but the number of impacts, and that might not have generated any symptoms. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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

Helen Murray: Auckland University Neuroscientist on the Billy Guyton's post-death degenerative brain disease diagnosis

Glimmers of hope for Wellington - despite another drop in cruise visits. 

Preliminary data released to Newstalk ZB shows a three percent drop in port visits compared to last season.

The North Island fell 41, and the South Island gained 23. 

The capital was the worst hit - losing 24 percent of port calls. 

Wellington NZ General Manager Destination and Marketing Todd Barberel told Ryan Bridge visitor numbers and spend is increasing - though not at pre-COVID levels yet.

He says there's positive momentum and the challenges from cruise lines need to be balanced with their long-term objectives. 

Glimmers of hope for Wellington - despite another drop in cruise visits.&nbsp;
Preliminary data released to Newstalk ZB shows a three percent drop in port visits compared to last season.
The North Island fell 41, and the South Island gained 23.&nbsp;
The capital was the worst hit - losing 24 percent of port calls.&nbsp;
Wellington NZ General Manager Destination and Marketing Todd Barberel told Ryan Bridge visitor numbers and spend is increasing - though not at pre-COVID levels yet.
He says there's positive momentum and the challenges from cruise lines need to be balanced with their long-term objectives.&nbsp;

Todd Barberel: Wellington NZ General Manager Destination and Marketing on a drop in cruise visits

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/512527eb-81bc-4241-bf97-b455012dce62/transcript

Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.

I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record. 

Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics. 

But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies. 

They're upset for two reasons. 

1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically. 
2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports. 

One the first point, isn't that a bit rich? 

Isn't it a bit hypocritical or the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks. 

This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life. 

Are we really going to judge?

And as for the sport argument. Name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line. Except for maybe competitive walking? 

Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know in wheelchairs?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous. 

It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death. 

We're thrill-seekers, essentially. 

The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally. 

If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim. 

Some guy won a million bucks for swimming 50m in a pool with a wetsuit on.
I know. Awesome, right? Should be stoked for the guy. He's Greek. He's an athlete. He broke a world record.&nbsp;
Problem is, he was taking performance enhancing drugs and the wetsuit was not legit. You wouldn't get away with that at the Olympics.&nbsp;
But what I can understand is the backlash, the tut-tutting, from the medical professionals and sporting bodies.&nbsp;
They're upset for two reasons.&nbsp;
1. These athletes are potentially putting themselves at risk, medically.&nbsp; 2. It undermines traditional non-doping sports.&nbsp;
One the first point, isn't that a bit rich?&nbsp;
Isn't it a bit hypocritical or the medical fraternity, who relies on medical trials of patients with sometimes unknown long-term consequences and risks.&nbsp;
This Greek guy just made a million bucks. That's money he can use to feed his family and change his life.&nbsp;
Are we really going to judge?
And as for the sport argument.&nbsp;Name me a sport that doesn't result in long-term injuries or medical problems down the line. Except for maybe competitive walking?&nbsp;
Especially at professional level. Is boxing 100% safe? Can rugby claim no concussions? How many horse riders you know in wheelchairs?
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with sport being dangerous.&nbsp;
It's human nature - we love challenging ourselves and sometimes that challenge can lead to damage or death.&nbsp;
We're thrill-seekers, essentially.&nbsp;
The enhanced games are basically that on steroids, literally.&nbsp;
If you don't like, don't watch, but don't judge a guy banking a million bucks just for going for a swim.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Enhanced games just a bit of fun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e77eef55-77b8-4e48-b946-b455012c76cc/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 26th of May 2026, The Government’s stepping in guarantor banks loans to get profitable businesses off gas, Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard shares her thoughts.

International business events are bouncing back, almost at pre-Covid levels, Chief Executive Officer at Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts. 

We've got a 3% drop in port calls from cruise ships this season, General Manager of Destination and Marketing at Wellington NZ Todd Barberel shares his thoughts. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a coroners hearing telling grim details of the police killings in rural Victoria last year and the rise of One Nation.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 26th of May 2026, The Government’s stepping in guarantor banks loans to get profitable businesses off gas, Business NZ Advocacy Director Catherine Beard shares her thoughts.
International business events are bouncing back, almost at pre-Covid levels, Chief Executive Officer at Business Canterbury Leeann Watson shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
We've got a 3% drop in port calls from cruise ships this season, General Manager of Destination and Marketing at Wellington NZ Todd Barberel shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on a coroners hearing telling grim details of the police killings in rural Victoria last year and the rise of One Nation.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 26 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/054e7fc6-96b4-4923-b12f-b455012ac4ce/transcript

Helen Murray: Auckland University Neuroscientist on the Billy Guyton's post-death degenerative brain disease diagnosis

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