Emergency Management Minister, Mark Mitchell, says Cyclone Vaianu could've been much worse - and Kiwis prepared well. 

Gisborne and some other East Coast communities are still cut off with sections of State Highways 2 and 35 closed, due to fallen trees, flooding and slips. 

The last of MetService's strong wind warnings and watches for Wairarapa and the Tararua District are set to ease at 7 this morning.

Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge several thousand houses were evacuated across the North Island.

He says some of them have flooded, but a lot were precautionary evacuations - which was the right thing to do.

Emergency Management Minister, Mark Mitchell, says Cyclone Vaianu could've been much worse - and Kiwis prepared well.&nbsp;
Gisborne and some other East Coast communities are still cut off with sections of State Highways 2 and 35 closed, due to fallen trees, flooding and slips.&nbsp;
The last of MetService's strong wind warnings and watches for Wairarapa and the Tararua District are set to ease at 7 this morning.
Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge several thousand houses were evacuated across the North Island.
He says some of them have flooded, but a lot were precautionary evacuations - which was the right thing to do.

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

Mark Mitchell: Emergency Management Minister on Cyclone Vaianu

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a0eb0d4c-37c5-47ab-bbb2-b42a012e2def/transcript

ACT's proposing changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements to make sure holders are actually living here.  

The party wants to increase the initial two-year travel condition for Resident Visa holders to five. 

Residents would be able to travel freely in and out of the country after this period, but would need to spend at least 730 days here during any rolling five-year period. 

Immigration Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar told Ryan Bridge they want people to be living, working, and contributing in New Zealand. 

She says they're welcoming all migrants who genuinely want to be here, but her job is to fix the system if it's being exploited. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

ACT's proposing changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements to make sure holders are actually living here. &nbsp;
The party wants to increase the initial two-year travel condition for Resident Visa holders to five.&nbsp;
Residents would be able to travel freely in and out of the country after this period, but would need to spend at least 730 days here during any rolling five-year period.&nbsp;
Immigration Spokesperson Parmjeet Parmar told Ryan Bridge they want people to be living, working, and contributing in New Zealand.&nbsp;
She says they're welcoming all migrants who genuinely want to be here, but her job is to fix the system if it's being exploited.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Parmjeet Parmar: ACT's Immigration Spokesperson on their proposed changes to Permanent Resident Visa requirements

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4ea0e5c2-60ec-45ba-853f-b4b7017ca577/transcript

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.

Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.

But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.

Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically. 

She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.

LISTEN ABOVE

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.
Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.
But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically.&nbsp;
She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.
LISTEN ABOVE

Tracey Martin: Aged Care Association Chief Executive on concerns Labour’s nurse policy could shift staff pressures to aged care

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/862b1297-70af-4683-a955-b4b7012e7cc4/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 1st of September 2026, the Government has agreed not to raise the fuel excise tax next year, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins shares his thoughts. 

Act says it wants permanent residents to actually reside in New Zealand, Act Party MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar explains.

Labour’s promising every graduate nurse a job in the public health system if re-elected, Aged Care Association Chief Executive explains more of the nurses are needed in aged care to keep up with demand. 

Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on massive fines and new rules for e-scooter riders in Queensland and a baby’s body found in a rubbish bin in Sydney.

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 the 1st of September 2026, the Government has agreed not to raise the fuel excise tax next year, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Act says it wants permanent residents to actually reside in New Zealand, Act Party MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar explains.
Labour’s promising every graduate nurse a job in the public health system if re-elected, Aged Care Association Chief Executive explains more of the nurses are needed in aged care to keep up with demand.&nbsp;
Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on massive fines and new rules for e-scooter riders in Queensland and a baby’s body found in a rubbish bin in Sydney.
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: 01 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6ab50119-74f0-4f5d-b41a-b4b7012c6c4d/transcript

Mark Mitchell: Emergency Management Minister on Cyclone Vaianu

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