Christchurch Hato Hone St John ambulance workers are kicking off a day of nationwide rallies following pay negotiation breakdowns.

More than two and a half thousand officers are taking part in staggered four-hour withdrawals of labour until 4am tomorrow.

Christchurch staff will march from 8am.

Ambulance Association Division Chairman Mark Quin told Ryan Bridge that St John will be operating at 70% capacity today.

He says some areas aren't even noticing the staff withdrawals as they become accustomed to operating with so few staff.

LISTEN ABOVE

Christchurch Hato Hone St John ambulance workers are kicking off a day of nationwide rallies following pay negotiation breakdowns. 
More than two and a half thousand officers are taking part in staggered four-hour withdrawals of labour until 4am tomorrow. 
Christchurch staff will march from 8am. 
Ambulance Association Division Chairman Mark Quin told Ryan Bridge that St John will be operating at 70% capacity today. 
He says some areas aren't even noticing the staff withdrawals as they become accustomed to operating with so few staff. 
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

Mark Quin: Ambulance Association Division Chairman on the impact of the St John ambulance labour strike

A coordinated response between the Police and Auckland Council is being credited for a steep drop in retail crime in the CBD. 

The number of thefts and burglaries has fallen 50% since January last year. 

Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says while some haven't seen it yet, there's been a noticeable decrease. 

She told Ryan Bridge the next step is tackling anti-social behaviour. 

Beck says there needs to be more mental health and health resources thrown at the problem.

LISTEN ABOVE

A coordinated response between the Police and Auckland Council is being credited for a steep drop in retail crime in the CBD.  
The number of thefts and burglaries has fallen 50% since January last year.  
Heart of the City Chief Executive Viv Beck says while some haven't seen it yet, there's been a noticeable decrease.  
She told Ryan Bridge the next step is tackling anti-social behaviour.  
Beck says there needs to be more mental health and health resources thrown at the problem. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Viv Beck: Heart of the City CEO on the drop in retail crime in the Auckland CBD

US President Joe Biden's expected to dominate the first day of the Democratic National Convention. 

It starts in Chicago today and is where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz will accept their presidential and vice presidential nominations.

Biden's expected to give an address and make a symbolic handover to Harris.

FSN Correspondent Simon Marks told Ryan Bridge they're getting the uncomfortable bits out of the way on the first day. 

He says President Biden will be the main speaker, alongside First Lady Jill Biden and former First Lady, Hillary Clinton.

Harris will be looking to ride her wave of momentum into the convention.

She currently has a six-point lead over Donald Trump in the latest Fox News poll, Marks saying that Harris will be wanting the convention to go flawlessly over the next few days.

LISTEN ABOVE

US President Joe Biden's expected to dominate the first day of the Democratic National Convention.  
It starts in Chicago today and is where Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz will accept their presidential and vice presidential nominations. 
Biden's expected to give an address and make a symbolic handover to Harris. 
FSN Correspondent Simon Marks told Ryan Bridge they're getting the uncomfortable bits out of the way on the first day.  
He says President Biden will be the main speaker, alongside First Lady Jill Biden and former First Lady, Hillary Clinton. 
Harris will be looking to ride her wave of momentum into the convention. 
She currently has a six-point lead over Donald Trump in the latest Fox News poll, Marks saying that Harris will be wanting the convention to go flawlessly over the next few days. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Simon Marks: FSN Correspondent on what's set to happen at the Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris leads in Fox News poll

Ever wondered what the funniest joke in the world is?

Well, I can tell you because the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has declared the funniest joke.

It's a ship gag, a gag about a ship, as in like a vessel that goes in the ocean. To be honest, it's not that funny and maybe I'm just getting older and mingy about life.

I don't know, maybe I don't find things as funny anymore.

Have you tried to find a funny movie lately? Have you managed to find one?

No, because they don't make them anymore and they certainly don't make jokes that are actually funny at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

And I should preface this by saying that, look, I'm not funny. So, you know, it is a hard thing to do. I get it.

But I just wonder whether we're not being a little too safe with our comedy. Something Jerry Seinfeld spoke about when he was in New Zealand recently, people can't push the boundaries anymore.

Let me just read you a few in the top 10 funniest jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

And actually, you can try and guess is this a joke, you know, is this from a comedy festival or is this from a Christmas cracker?

"I was going to sail around the globe in the world's smallest ship, but I bottled it."

That was literally the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And maybe because I'm reading these from a story it's the delivery that's funny, maybe that's what's missing.

"I've been taking salsa lessons for months, but I just don't feel like I'm progressing. It's just one step forward, two steps back."

That was the second funniest joke.

"Ate horse at a restaurant once, wasn't great. Starter was all right, but the mane was dreadful."

Do you want me to keep going?

"I sailed through my driving test. That's why I failed."

These are not Christmas cracker jokes; these are from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

What ever happened to the really good ones? My favourite comedian was Joan Rivers. She was rude and shocking and outrageous, hilarious and actually a real pioneer and a trailblazer for women in her field as well.

But, you know, well she's dead and so are good jokes, it seems.

Ever wondered what the funniest joke in the world is? 
Well, I can tell you because the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has declared the funniest joke. 
It's a ship gag, a gag about a ship, as in like a vessel that goes in the ocean. To be honest, it's not that funny and maybe I'm just getting older and mingy about life. 
I don't know, maybe I don't find things as funny anymore. 
Have you tried to find a funny movie lately? Have you managed to find one? 
No, because they don't make them anymore and they certainly don't make jokes that are actually funny at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 
And I should preface this by saying that, look, I'm not funny. So, you know, it is a hard thing to do. I get it. 
But I just wonder whether we're not being a little too safe with our comedy. Something Jerry Seinfeld spoke about when he was in New Zealand recently, people can't push the boundaries anymore. 
Let me just read you a few in the top 10 funniest jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 
And actually, you can try and guess is this a joke, you know, is this from a comedy festival or is this from a Christmas cracker? 
"I was going to sail around the globe in the world's smallest ship, but I bottled it." 
That was literally the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And maybe because I'm reading these from a story it's the delivery that's funny, maybe that's what's missing. 
"I've been taking salsa lessons for months, but I just don't feel like I'm progressing. It's just one step forward, two steps back." 
That was the second funniest joke. 
"Ate horse at a restaurant once, wasn't great. Starter was all right, but the mane was dreadful." 
Do you want me to keep going? 
"I sailed through my driving test. That's why I failed." 
These are not Christmas cracker jokes; these are from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 
What ever happened to the really good ones? My favourite comedian was Joan Rivers. She was rude and shocking and outrageous, hilarious and actually a real pioneer and a trailblazer for women in her field as well. 
But, you know, well she's dead and so are good jokes, it seems.

Mark Quin: Ambulance Association Division Chairman on the impact of the St John ambulance labour strike

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