Canterbury Mornings

Chris Lynch was joined by Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson and National MP Nicky Wagner for this week's edition of Politics Friday.They discussed the local body elections and claims of negative campaigning.Both Ruth and Nicky agree it's disappointing to see candidates engage in negative campaigning.Nicky Wagner says it's sad if candidates think they can't win without besmirching others.

People Choice and Labour candidates are being accused of spreading misinformation and negative campaigning. Central Ward candidate Jake McLellan sent residents a leaflet saying "it's about listening to communities not property developers, unlike other candidates who are in their pockets."Several city residents told Newstalk ZB McLellan's comments are the "height of hypocrisy" given People's Choice councillors turned up to the opening of the Riverside Market built by private developers. Current city councillor Mike Davidson says "this is just another example of negative campaigning that a number of People's Choice Candidates have made during this election."He says a People's Choice candidate made incorrect statements about him during the campaign. Mr Davidson says "I guess one of their values is not honesty."LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE 

A large climate protest in Wellington has closed off all access to MBIE's Stout Street building.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says staff should work from home or from another ministry office today if possible.Dozens of activists with the international group Extinction Rebellion are intermittently blocking Lambton Quay and Whitmore Streets as part of rallies planned for 60 capital cities around the world.First time protester Mel Vautier told Chris Lynch protesters have been seen as disrupters in the past but we look back glad at what they achieved so hopefully it's the same situation here.Mel is chained to a car in the middle of Stout Street with 5 other protesters and another group of protesters are chained to a boat in the middle of an intersection further down the road. People are being urged to avoid the area.

Unvaccinated Cantabrians who crossed paths with a contagious hospital worker are being urged to stay home.This comes after a Burwood Hospital employee contracted measles.The woman also visited New World Prestons, Fitness Canterbury, QEII and Hoi An Restaurant.Canterbury Medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton told Chris Lynch anyone unvaccinated who was in the same place at the same time should isolate themselves.She says symptoms can take some time to show up.“People should take the opportunity to check their immunity status with their healthcare provider.”LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

The winner of the Newstalk ZB 'Best coffee in Christchurch' competition is Gatehouse Cafe. Chris Lynch spoke to cafe owner Lee Barrington to inform her of the win.Lee says it's an absolute family effort with three of her kids as part of the team.  Go check out the coffee at Gatehouse Cafe yourself at 185a Kirk Rd, Templeton. 

Aaron Campbell, ECan candidate for Christchurch West - Ōpuna, called into the show to discuss the proposal for free buses inside the four avenues. Mr Campbell told Chris Lynch he believes people would much rather public transport be fast, frequent and reliable rather than free.He says a lower charge would be more sustainable than free and the city council should have control over public transport rather than ECan.  

A former Christchurch Mayor says councillors should have been told sooner - about allegations of inappropriate behaviour.Deon Swiggs has outed himself as the councillor accused of sending inappropriate messages to three people between the age of 13 and 21.Swiggs denies the allegations.Concerns were first raised with Lianne Dalziel in May, but the mayor says she wasn't provided with the most serious of the allegations.Bob Parker told Chris Lynch councillors only found out about this through the media last week.He says its a worrying situation as it only came out last week during the election process - when it's been around for six months.Parker says the mayor should have been more open.

Chris Lynch was joined by Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson and National MP Nicky Wagner to discuss the political issues of the week, including the potential amalgamation of polytechnics, local body elections and the government's purchase of Kate Sheppard's former home.

Incumbent city councillor Sara Tempelton told Chris Lynch the council has actually done quite a lot. She called into the show and read out a long list of the council's achievements. Listen above.

Burwood Ward Council Candidate Phil Mauger told Chris Lynch he’s "representing the people not a political party."He comments follow criticism of Christchurch Labour MPs who’ve been sending residents letters urging them to vote for Labour affiliated People’s Choice councillors.Mr Mauger says group voting is not democracy and residents deserve a range of voices, and not one political party agenda. Listen above.

Central Christchurch MP Duncan Webb is defending his promotion of People's Choice candidates in the local elections.A Central Community Board candidate has criticised the Labour MPs backing of the candidates affiliated with his party.Duncan Webb says he's not using parliamentary resources or money in his support of the candidates.He told Chris Lynch he's doing nothing wrong and says of course he'll promote Labour candidatesListen above.

The top three Christchurch mayoral candidates John Minto, Lianne Dalziel and Darryll Park have gone head to head on the city's hot topics.Controversial topics included water bottling, chlorination, the Eastern suburbs and the Crusaders name change.Political commentator Mike Yardley told Chris Lynch John Minto's authenticity made him the clear winner of the debate.He says there's a serious risk Minto could split the left-wing vote."If he really eats into Lianne Dalziel's potential voter base, we could have a surprise result where Darryl Park manages to take the top slot."LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

A Christchurch Councillor says if the city doesn't put its hand up for cycle ways - it'll miss out on crucial funding.Cycleways have become a hot button issue in the mayoral race - with Candidate Darryll Park pledging to ditch a $36 million track from Templeton to Christchurch, to bring rates down.But Councillor Mike Davidson says most of that money comes from the Government and includes funding for valuable road improvements.He says ratepayer funds are also spread over 15 years.LISTEN ABOVE

Christchurch's mayor has dubbed the design of a central city street a basket case at the first mayoral debate.Lianne Dalziel, Darryll Park and John Minto went head to head.Dalziel says while some of the cycleways are fantastic - the redesign of St Asaph street makes her want to cry.She says the problem is council gets stuck in design mode."Don’t worry about the nice build ups and don’t worry about the nice trees and all the rest. Just fix the roads and let them settle down."Darryl Park was quick to point out the fact that Dalziel was the council boss.The mayor explained being mayor is not like being a chair of a board - and she only has one vote around the table

Chlorine may remain in Christchurch's water until at least the end of the year.The Christchurch City Council  is preparing an updated Water Safety Plan to comply with new regulations.Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield told Chris Lynch he understands Christchurch's aspiration to not have chlorine in the water long term.He says they have concerns about the reticulation from the well heads to homes so their advice is the council keeps low level of chlorine to insure the safety of the water.Bloomfield says they are working with the council to see how they can achieve their goal to remove chlorination.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

Mayoral candidate Robin McCarthy spoke to Chris Lynch why he believes he would be the best mayor for Christchurch and what he would bring to the job.Mr McCarthy says the council management structure is wrong due to the lack of accountability. He says there needs to be a culture change.Listen above.

National Party leader Simon Bridges believes water will become the single most important issue facing New Zealanders this year, as chlorine in Christchurch’s supply will remain.Bridges told Canterbury Mornings with Chris Lynch the outcry from Christchurch residents over the announcement water will stay in the city’s water supply should be seen as a warning sign for things to come."We are going to see water become one of the biggest issues in the country by the end of the year."The rumour is next week the government will come out with their water regulations, which will be some of the craziest and toughest the world has ever seen."LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

Christchurch Council say it's not their fault the city's drinking water will remain chlorinated, for now.The Ministry of Health has obliged the Council to keep adding chlorine to two-thirds of the city's water supply.The Christchurch City Council will keep adding chlorine to two-thirds of the city's water supply - as it works to meet the Government's new water safety requirements.Three Waters and Waste head Helen Beaumont says told Chris Lynch the Ministry has praised its repairs of the city's well-heads.But she says it wants mains and reservoirs deep-cleaned before stopping chlorination.Beaumont says she's confident Council can make a good case for an exemption - as they're some of the most well-versed in the country on water issues.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE 

Caller in to the show today, Stuart Ennor, runs Kairos Free Store.The store collects unsold food from cafes and eateries in the Christchurch CBD, that would otherwise be thrown out at the end of the day, and then gives it away for free to people in need.He told Chris Lynch they get everyone from families, homeless, to people on their way home from work. They have a no questions asked policy.Listen above.

Today’s talk back discussion was on the subject of adoption. Caller into the show Liz has seen all sides of adoption. Liz was adopted as a baby, she also put a child up for adoption, then later in life went on to adopt a child into her family. Listen above to her interesting perspective.