Canterbury Mornings

Christchurch's mayor says she first heard the Serious Fraud Office was investigating her election spending when she stepped off a flight from Japan.On Friday, the SFO announced it had police referrals to do with expenses for Lianne Dalziel and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.Dalziel had been overseas, giving an official apology in Japan to people whose family members died in the CTV Building collapse.She told Chris Lynch she found out from the media in Auckland Airport."When I read on line that it had been referred to the Serious Fraud Office, I was quite surprised and I guess disappointed I hadn't been provided with any advice."However, Dalziel says she isn't concerned about what people think about the investigation.She says she's taking it seriously, but she has a job to do."It may be there are those who have particular interests in presenting things as if perception is reality. I want to continue in the role. Nothing has changed." 

Two earthquake damaged heritage buildings will get $1.2 million taxpayer dollars for repair and refurbishment.After recommendations from council, the buildings on Lichfield and Worcester Street are being allocated $600000 each.But Councillor Sam MacDonald told Chris Lynch he's not happy.He says he will call out nonsense like this when the council is spending ratepayers' money and there are so many financial pressures on the organisation across the city.LISTEN ABOVE

A man has pleaded guilty to beating a young Christchurch mum to death 24 years ago.Jeremy Powell, 45, appeared in the High Court in Christchurch this morning.He's admitted to killing 21-year-old Angela Blackmoore in 1995 - as her two year old son slept in the next room.A woman in her forties is also appearing in the Christchurch High Court in relation to the case.In the summary of facts, the court heard Powell turned up to the victims house with a bat, and a large knife hidden in his trench coat.Powell then admitted beating her over the head with the bat - until she was dead.Blackmoore suffered 39 wounds to the head and neck.In the summary, Powell claims he was to be paid $10,000 for killing her.He'll be sentenced on April 1.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE AS NEWSTALK ZB REPORTER AMBER ALLOTT SPEAKS TO CHRIS LYNCH

Mike Yardley and Chris Lynch discuss the week that was, from migrant exploitation to the right to silence. Listen above.

As migrant workers are moved around the country, more people will see the opportunity to exploit them.This rather depressing take from an immigration lawyer, as two Christchurch businessmen face charges for exploiting Indian migrant workersAuckland lawyer Alistair McClymont told Chris Lynch its a problem that's migrated itself from our largest city.The Government's undertaking a Temporary Migrant Worker Exploitation review. But McClymont says that won't address the root causes of the problem.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE

Immigration New Zealand is being accused of not doing enough to support Christchurch migrant workers being exploitation by their employers.  The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is investigating migrant exploitation, but admits it doesn't have any time frames on when it will release its report and what, if any, changes will be made.  Chris Lynch spoke to MBIE's Labour Inspectorate Acting National Manager Jeanie Borsboom about the issue.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE

Pressure from ratepayers and Government agencies to do more about climate change is a main driver behind ECAN's proposed rates hike of almost 10 percent.​The first fully-elected councillors since the earthquakes will approve the Draft Annual Plan tomorrow before it goes out for consultation.​​Deputy Chair Peter Scott isn't happy about the rates rise​.​But he told Chris Lynch, you only have to look at the Rangitata River last December to see the importance of flood protection.​​Peter Scott says agencies like NZTA, Kiwi Rail, TransPower and Tourism New Zealand are becoming increasingly concerned about the need for resilience, after extreme weather events. ​ 

ACT Party leader David Seymour wants us to think of the children.He's calling for a new offence for people who fail to cooperate with the police in child abuse cases.It's in the wake of a brutal assault on a four year old child in Flaxmere last month.Seymour told Chris Lynch there are exceptions to the right for silence in other areas of the law so if it's good enough for the protection of fish then it's good enough for the protection of children. 

Jean Te Huia, CEO of Māori Midwives Aotearoa, spoke to Chris Lynch about the family of a critically injured young boy in Flaxmere closing ranks and refusing to speak to police. 

The Serious Fraud Office has commenced an investigation in relation to the New Zealand First Foundation, a spokesman has confirmed.This comes after the police last week referred the matter to the SFO – it took the office just eight days to decide an investigation was warranted.Last week, NZ First Leader Winston Peters was adamant that the SFO wouldn't find any wrongdoing on behalf of him, or his party."I was not involved in any way, shape or form," he told media last week.This comes after questions were raised last year about how the Foundation handled donations.The Electoral Commission said at the time it was looking into the matter.On Monday last week, it handed the probe over to the police – the police said it would be handing it over to the SFO.Last week Peters said he was pleased that the matter had been deferred to the police, then to the SFO.But he said NZ First was going to wait and co-operate with the SFO to provide all the information.He said he was not subject to any investigation nor was New Zeala

A growing number of fatal car chases could be behind a new police chopper trial in Christchurch.The five-week Eagle helicopter trial launched this morning, the first time one's been based in the South Island.Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel told Chris Lynch she hasn't made up her mind about the chopper yet but she's supportive of anything that helps police tackle the city's fleeing driver problem.She says far too many people have lost their loved ones in police pursuits.

A new step forward in policing has taken to Canterbury skies.The Eagle helicopter is being trialled for five weeks during which time it'll target fleeing drivers, become a swifter response to call outs and be available for deployment around the South Island.Police Minister Stuart Nash says it's 21st century policing."As our roads become more congested, as our bad guys become badder, as they use more powerful tools, we need to keep pace."It's the first time one's been based in the South Island.Police Commissioner Mike Bush told Chris Lynch the rising number of fatal police pursuits was one of the driving factors behind the trial."Your not going to get away; regardless of whether its minutes, hours or days, you will be held to account."He says the success of the trial will be judged by a number of criteria."That's how much crime we actually prevent, how many incidents they respond to, how many people we support in the apprehension, but mostly how effective it is for our staff on the ground and the communities w

Chris Lynch was joined by Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods and MP for Ilam Gerry Brownlee for this week's edition of Politics Friday.The government's promising to reduce demand for motels by building a thousand more transitional houses by the end of the year. Minister Megan Woods says she is confident they are going to do it with 63 places already available for people to move into. Gerry Brownlee says this is just another example of talking it up to make it sound good with very little action making any difference.  Listen above. 

Simon Bridges has doubled down on his decision not to work with NZ First following the election.Bridges told Chris Lynch any suggestion that National would work with NZ First or Winston Peters after the next election is fake news. He says if Winston Peters calls us, we won't be answering the phone and we certainly won't be ringing him.

Christchurch locals angry over a decision to allow six broadcast quality light towers over Hagley Oval have taken their complaint to Parliament.Canterbury Cricket Trust sought changes to the District Plan to allow them to host night games for the Women's Cricket World Cup.Associate Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Poto Williams used her powers under earthquake recovery laws to approve it so the Trust didn't have to apply for resource consent.Chairman of Chirstchurch Civic Trust Chris Kissling told Chris Lynch that in doing so, the Minister has over ridden the Hagley Park Management Plan. Chris Kissling says Hagley Oval could still host the games with four light towers - and retain the landscape characteristics of the park.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE

After 15 years of being the Christchurch Central MP, Nicky Wagner is moving on.Now, it's time to do new things, go new places and have new adventures.She told Chris Lynch she's writing a book.Wagner says the book isn't about politics, it's about sleep and how it affects peoples lives. LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

Newstalk ZB's Brian Ashby gives an insight into the conditions and coverage for this weekend's Coast to Coast 2020. Ashby told Chris Lynch race organisers will likely make a decision early Thursday afternoon if they will need to use the alternate course due to adverse weather conditions.  

A hospitality leader is pointing the finger at the council for the demise of Christchurch restaurants and bars.Peter Morrison, Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Branch President is calling on the council to consider Christchurch hospitality operators when allowing things like the Night Noodle Market to set up in the city. Morrison told Chris Lynch the likes of the noodle market is taking business away from the cities restaurant and cafe owners who are trying to make their money to last them the winter. LISTEN ABOVE

Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods and National MP Nicky Wagner joined Chris Lynch for the first round of Politics Friday for 2020.Up for discussion was the reaction to the Canterbury infrastructure package, the lack of a hospital carpark in Christchurch and New Zealand's response to novel coronavirus.Listen above. 

A backlash for a Christchurch born musician who called the city's CBD development "strangely hollow".James Milne, known as Lawrence Arabia's tweet also called the 'sparkling new Christchurch CBD sorely lacking in interesting businesses'.Christchurch businessman Antony Gough told Chris Lynch perhaps the musician has his feet planted 10 years ago.Listen above.