The British government announced it will hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a settlement that ends decades of disputes over Britain’s last African colony, while maintaining a key US-British military base in the archipelago.

Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney says the UK keeping its military base for another 99 years marks a landmark deal for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's new government.

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The British government announced it will hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, in a settlement that ends decades of disputes over Britain’s last African colony, while maintaining a key US-British military base in the archipelago.
Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney says the UK keeping its military base for another 99 years marks a landmark deal for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's new government.
LISTEN ABOVE

Vincent McAviney: Europe correspondent on UK giving sovereignty to Chagos Islands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/53fc681b-ca70-4da3-a74c-b1fe016c080a/transcript

There's several possible reasons behind a rise in the number of homes empty on Census night. 

The latest data shows just more than 110 thousand homes were empty, up from just under 100 thousand in 2018. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says part of that could be due to Cyclone Gabrielle flood levels, and high levels of construction.  

He told Ryan Bridge that some of the biggest areas with the largest increase in “ghost homes” were Auckland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's several possible reasons behind a rise in the number of homes empty on Census night.&nbsp;
The latest data shows just more than 110 thousand homes were empty, up from just under 100 thousand in 2018.&nbsp;
Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says part of that could be due to Cyclone Gabrielle flood levels, and high levels of construction. &nbsp;
He told Ryan Bridge that some of the biggest areas with the largest increase in “ghost homes” were Auckland, Gisborne, and Hawke’s Bay.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on the ghost houses revealed in the latest census data

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4f564b77-f46c-4f31-bd33-b1fe015af97b/transcript

Flooding and landslips are keeping officials busy in Otago.  

The area is in a State of Emergency due to heavy rain, with downpours expected to continue into the afternoon. 

Fire and Emergency NZ have responded to 31 calls between 6pm last night and 5.30am, with around 70 people evacuating to welfare centres. 

Dunedin Civil Defence Manager Scott MacLean told Ryan Bridge their advice is for people to stay home and stay safe. 

He said that people should avoid going out driving unless they absolutely have to, as it causes problems for emergency responders. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Flooding and landslips are keeping officials busy in Otago. &nbsp;
The area is in a State of Emergency due to heavy rain, with downpours expected to continue into the afternoon.&nbsp;
Fire and Emergency NZ have responded to 31 calls between 6pm last night and 5.30am, with around 70 people evacuating to welfare centres.&nbsp;
Dunedin Civil Defence Manager Scott MacLean told Ryan Bridge their advice is for people to stay home and stay safe.&nbsp;
He said that people should avoid going out driving unless they absolutely have to, as it causes problems for emergency responders.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Scott MacLean: Dunedin Civil Defence Manager on the State of Emergency in the region

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ffedea8d-026c-4798-a8bd-b1fe0155b4ad/transcript

Kudos to Qantas for introducing a wellbeing zone on the cattle class of the aircraft. 

Airlines are cramming us in like sardines, anyone who's travelled will know this. 

They serve you booze, you recline your seat, the planes dry you out and then as a natural consequence, people go nuts. 

Unruly passengers ripping open the emergency doors, running up and down the aisles screaming like mad people. 

Globally, physical assaults on aircrafts are up 60% post-pandemic. Air New Zealand alone deals with 200 reports a month of abusive behaviour. 

People are responsible for their behaviour, yes, but the airlines are responsible for the environment which you travel in. The world is full of nutty people, and you have to cater for nutty people on aircraft, don't you? 

So good on Qantas. From 2026 they will have a dedicated wellbeing area at the front of economy, they've got sculpted wall, integrated handles for exercise, stabilising you in doing some squats or whatever you want to do. 

They've got a cabinet of healthy snacks, fruit juices, smoothies, self-service. 

Now, here's the kicker - It's for their 20-hour flights. Would you do it? 

Would you do it, even if there's fruit smoothies and integrated handles for stretching and exercise? 

The answer for me is a resounding no, but at least they're trying something. Others should follow suit. 

Kudos to Qantas for introducing a wellbeing zone on the cattle class of the aircraft.&nbsp;
Airlines are cramming us in like sardines, anyone who's travelled will know this.&nbsp;
They serve you booze, you recline your seat, the planes dry you out and then as a natural consequence, people go nuts.&nbsp;
Unruly passengers ripping open the emergency doors, running up and down the aisles screaming like mad people.&nbsp;
Globally, physical assaults on aircrafts are up 60% post-pandemic. Air New Zealand alone deals with 200 reports a month of abusive behaviour.&nbsp;
People are responsible for their behaviour, yes, but the airlines are responsible for the environment which you travel in. The world is full of nutty people, and you have to cater for nutty people on aircraft, don't you?&nbsp;
So good on Qantas. From 2026 they will have a dedicated wellbeing area at the front of economy, they've got sculpted wall, integrated handles for exercise, stabilising you in doing some squats or whatever you want to do.&nbsp;
They've got a cabinet of healthy snacks, fruit juices, smoothies, self-service.&nbsp;
Now, here's the kicker - It's for their 20-hour flights. Would you do it?&nbsp;
Would you do it, even if there's fruit smoothies and integrated handles for stretching and exercise?&nbsp;
The answer for me is a resounding no, but at least they're trying something. Others should follow suit.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Kudos to Qantas for trying something new

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f5314b4b-5938-4dc9-8a71-b1fe014c7f90/transcript

The Government is confident their support of frontline Police is coming to fruition. 

Recruitment numbers have soared in the past year, with almost 1,400 applicants in July – the highest since 2014. 

It's seen around five and a half thousand applicants in the first eight months of the year, more than double across the same period last year. 

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge it's encouraging, but there's still some work to do. 

She says their attrition rate is still low at 4.8%, while other public sectors have rates of up to 54%. 

Costello also assures that the surge in recruits won't compromise the quality of the training, as nothing will change in their approach. 

She says they’ve totally committed to ensuring the same standards are maintained. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government is confident their support of frontline Police is coming to fruition.&nbsp;
Recruitment numbers have soared in the past year, with almost 1,400 applicants in July – the highest since 2014.&nbsp;
It's seen around five and a half thousand applicants in the first eight months of the year, more than double across the same period last year.&nbsp;
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello told Ryan Bridge it's encouraging, but there's still some work to do.&nbsp;
She says their attrition rate is still low at 4.8%, while other public sectors have rates of up to 54%.&nbsp;
Costello also assures that the surge in recruits won't compromise the quality of the training, as nothing will change in their approach.&nbsp;
She says they’ve totally committed to ensuring the same standards are maintained.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Casey Costello: Associate Police Minister on the soaring police recruitment numbers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/1e10d589-4a90-4a78-a688-b1fe013f4e79/transcript

Health New Zealand is expecting its financial deficit for the past financial year to be near a billion dollars.  

The agency's released its report for the June quarter.  

Earlier in quarter three, a $299 million surplus was forecast - but the preliminary financial result for the year to the end of June is a $934 million deficit. 

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Ryan Bridge services and departments are going to be dealing with significant cuts.  

She says some of it will impact staffing levels, and some the ability to implement digital solutions that'll make staff and systems more efficient. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Health New Zealand is expecting its financial deficit for the past financial year to be near a billion dollars. &nbsp;
The agency's released its report for the June quarter. &nbsp;
Earlier in quarter three, a $299 million surplus was forecast - but the preliminary financial result for the year to the end of June is a $934 million deficit.&nbsp;
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Ryan Bridge services and departments are going to be dealing with significant cuts. &nbsp;
She says some of it will impact staffing levels, and some the ability to implement digital solutions that'll make staff and systems more efficient.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sarah Dalton: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director on Health NZ's $934 million deficit

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7d3f57b5-51e5-42e7-8408-b1fe013c314c/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 4th of October, Dunedin has declared a state of emergency following significant rainfall overnight and surface flooding. Civil Defence Controller Scott Maclean has the latest. 

Police recruitment wings will be expanded from next year following record applications to join the force. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello speaks to Ryan. 

Health New Zealand has gone from a forecast surplus to a nearly $1 billion deficit. What's gone wrong? The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists are on the show to discuss. 

Ghost houses - more than 100,000 empty houses found in 2023 census data; do we need a tax on them? 

Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge 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 for Friday 4th of October, Dunedin has declared a state of emergency following significant rainfall overnight and surface flooding. Civil Defence Controller Scott Maclean has the latest.&nbsp;
Police recruitment wings will be expanded from next year following record applications to join the force. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello speaks to Ryan.&nbsp;
Health New Zealand has gone from a forecast surplus to a nearly $1 billion deficit. What's gone wrong? The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists are on the show to discuss.&nbsp;
Ghost houses - more than 100,000 empty houses found in 2023 census data; do we need a tax on them?&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 4 October 2024

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c015045a-9fda-4fb9-bcb4-b1fe011a91d7/transcript

Mood of the boardroom survey, more than 100 of our top business leaders have had their say on the government, its ministers and the economy today.

CEOs ranked the performance of the Cabinet Ministers with ‘1’ being not impressive and ‘5’ - very impressive.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon scored with 3.73 whilst keeping his cabinet focused on delivery and education, Minister Erica Stanford was top of the class for Minister Performance resulting with a score of 4.01.

Simeon Brown, Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop came closely behind Stanford, Brown resulted with a score of 3.89, Willis and Bishop tied on 3.88.

Managing editor for NZME Duncan Bridgeman says that after a year of having a new government, he believes there's some uncertainty around the delivery that Christopher Luxon and his team can pull through when coming down to economic growth with the business community. 

<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Mood of the boardroom survey, more than 100 of our top business leaders have had their say on the government, its ministers and the economy today.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">CEOs ranked the performance of the Cabinet Ministers with ‘1’ being not impressive and ‘5’ -&nbsp;very impressive.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Prime Minister Christopher Luxon scored with 3.73 whilst keeping his cabinet focused on delivery and education, Minister Erica Stanford was top of the class for Minister Performance resulting with a score of 4.01.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Simeon Brown, Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop came closely behind Stanford, Brown resulted with a score of 3.89, Willis and Bishop tied on 3.88.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Managing editor for NZME Duncan Bridgeman says that after a year of having a new government, he believes there's some uncertainty around the delivery that Christopher Luxon and his team can pull through when coming down to economic growth with the business community.

Duncan Bridgeman: NZME Managing Editor expresses his concerns with economic growth in the business community

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are on strike Tuesday against the nation’s East and Gulf Coast ports.

They are demanding a $5/hour increase in pay every year for the next six years.

Mitch McCann, US Correspondent says that New Zealand exporters are likely to be affected by congestion and delays.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at home advises exporters to stay in contact with the freight companies to see what options are available for them.

McCann told Ryan Bridge while the strike continues, they're also advised to keep in touch with the US customers to inform them about potential delays in the coming weeks.

LISTEN ABOVE

Nearly 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are on strike Tuesday against the nation’s East and Gulf Coast ports.
They are demanding a $5/hour increase in pay every year for the next six years.
Mitch McCann, US Correspondent says that New Zealand exporters are likely to be affected by congestion and delays.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at home advises exporters to stay in contact with the freight companies to see what options are available for them.
McCann told Ryan Bridge while the strike continues, they're also advised to keep in touch with the US customers to inform them about potential delays in the coming weeks.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 4px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">LISTEN ABOVE

Mitch McCann: US Correspondent tells us about US Ports major strike and how it impacts NZ

The real proof will be in the pudding – if smoking rates come down, does it matter how she did it? 

If it was a non-tobacco company getting a tax cut to provide a product that was less harmful than ciggies would there be outrage? 

Or are we blinded by the fact it's a multinational whose legacy has been peddling cigarettes that clouds our judgement? 

Are we being rational about this? 

Isn't the ultimate goal to reduce smoking rates? 

Are the ‘try anything, do it differently’ policies she's pushing going to bring smoking rates down? 

Time will tell. 

She should have been more on to it and open about the advice she had received on heat not burn products, sure. It's being released this week, we're told. 

But calling for her to resign and labelling her as corrupt and in the hands of the tobacco lobby are a bit much. 

Costello's own father died of smoking related respiratory disease. She's a Māori woman herself. 

Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and National was accusing a Māori wahine toa minister, who's dad had died of cancer, of being in the pocket of big tobacco and actively trying to cause genocide on her own people, what the reaction would be form the left? 

If the argument is that she should be more open and transparent, half of Labour's last cabinet should have resigned in their first term too, 

So far, no smoking gun. Let's see what she's achieved once the smoke clears. 

The real proof will be in the pudding – if smoking rates come down, does it matter how she did it?&nbsp;
If it was a non-tobacco company getting a tax cut to provide a product that was less harmful than ciggies would there be outrage?&nbsp;
Or are we blinded by the fact it's a multinational whose legacy has been peddling cigarettes that clouds our judgement?&nbsp;
Are we being rational about this?&nbsp;
Isn't the ultimate goal to reduce smoking rates?&nbsp;
Are the ‘try anything, do it differently’ policies she's pushing going to bring smoking rates down?&nbsp;
Time will tell.&nbsp;
She should have been more on to it and open about the advice she had received on heat not burn products, sure. It's being released this week, we're told.&nbsp;
But calling for her to resign and labelling her as corrupt and in the hands of the tobacco lobby are a bit much.&nbsp;
Costello's own father died of smoking related respiratory disease. She's a Māori woman herself.&nbsp;
Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and National was accusing a Māori wahine toa minister, who's dad had died of cancer, of being in the pocket of big tobacco and actively trying to cause genocide on her own people, what the reaction would be form the left?&nbsp;
If the argument is that she should be more open and transparent, half of Labour's last cabinet should have resigned in their first term too,&nbsp;
So far, no smoking gun. Let's see what she's achieved once the smoke clears.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: The hysteria over Casey Costello's handling of smoking

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

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