Canterbury Mornings

Schools are being told they need to keep the lines of communication open when lockdown procedures are in place.A KPMG report into how Canterbury schools handled the lockdown found some schools thought it was a hoax.It also says some staff members had to deal with aggressive and concerned parents.The report highlighted major issues on the day - including not having access to toilets, food, water and medication for up to four hours.Burnside School Principal and member of the steering group for the lock down report, Phil Holstein told Chris Lynch he wasn't surprised by the findings from the report."I’m constantly impressed by the quality resilience and support our students have for each other”"Our staff and senior leaders did a fantastic job in the challenging and unprecedented circumstances. Our students were safe, and the care along with the professionalism from the staff was top level."LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

There are hopes extra funding to repair quake-damaged homes will end a difficult situation.The Government is spending another $300 million bailing out Cantabrians who bought improperly repaired houses with damages above EQC's $100 thousand cap.Earthquake Commission Minister Grant Robertson told Chris Lynch taxpayers have already shelled out $400 million for under-cap repairs.He says this is about finishing the job.Robertson says this is the right thing to do to help everyone move on.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

National Party Leader Simon Bridges is appalled that the letter from the accused Christchurch gunman was ever allowed to be sent to a supporter in Russia.Minister Kelvin Davis has admitted failings in his department after a letter from the alleged Christchurch terror attack gunman has been posted online. Bridges told Chris Lynch it's unforgivable that even this morning, Minister Kelvin Davis didn't know the full details of how many letters the accused had sent. "The Minister should have been all over it, that's what they get paid for, they are asleep at the wheel. An apology is owed to the people of New Zealand."LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

The Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal, set up to resolve long running insurance disputes, is under way.Justice Minister Andrew Little has said the tribunal would be a "circuit-breaker" for disputes that have dragged on for too long.Tribunal Chair Chris Somerville told Chris Lynch there has been an industry created where lawyers on both sides have benefited.He says it's time we got to the meat of the issue and dealt with disputes without so much input from lawyers.  LISTEN ABOVE.

Chris Lynch and Mike Yardley discuss the latest round of firearms reforms and plans for a gun register, the Silver Ferns triumph at the Netball World Cup and waste to energy plants, should they be embraced in NZ?

For Politics Friday this week Chris Lynch was joined by Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Dr Megan Woods and National MP Nicky Wagner to discuss Peter Ellis' fight to clear his name, violence against medical staff and the Mana in Mahi programme.  

Nurses, doctors and hospital staff across the country are facing unsafe workplaces.Almost 2000 hospital staff members reported being assaulted on the job last year.Suzanne Rolls is a New Zealand Nurses Organisation Professional nursing adviser. She says there is more support for people assaulted on the street than staff in hospital. Suzanne joined Canterbury Mornings with Chris Lynch to talk about the ongoing violence against medical staff.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

A freshwater scientist says Canterbury's water isn't safe to drink.Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey has called for urgent research into the levels of nitrates in the region's drinking water.A Danish study found a correlation between nitrate in drinking water, and colorectal cancers.Freshwater ecologist, Doctor Mike Joy, says increasing levels of nitrate are very concerning.He told Chris Lynch he was born and bred in Canterbury, but if he was living there now he wouldn't take the risk of drinking the water supply.Joy says he's sampled many rural Canterbury water supplies that are way above the increased level for cancer risk.

Simon Bridges joined Canterbury Mornings with Chris Lynch to discuss the issues affecting Christchurch residents this week.When asked about the controversial Christchurch Cycleway proposed earlier this week, Bridges says it all depends on the motivation for installing them. Bridges says although it's good having cycle ways to promote healthy living, it shouldn't be done at the cost of ripping out car parks in the central city or making life harder for commuters.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

Chris Lynch spoke to the Project Director of the Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Project Keith Paterson this morning for the latest on what's happening with the Cathedral.LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE

A Christchurch man selling sections of a giant cactus is angry he's been labelled a drug pusher.Jonny Small posted the 30-year-old San Pedro succulent on a Christchurch Facebook Page for more than $1200 but is selling it off in sections.The plant was about three metres wide and two storeys tall. The cactus produces the Class A drug, mescaline, and it has seen Small bombarded with negative feedback.He told Chris Lynch he's had interest from hundreds of buyers including some overseas but he's not a drug pusher."It was about people having to have a piece of this plant to regrow so the genetics of this plant just lives on." He is adamant he's weeding out who has the right intentions for the rare plant, and does not want to sell it to drug dealers. "I have as look at people's Facebook profiles, do a bit of research, make it very clear that I won't give them any address of where it was or anything like that."Small says he's had hundreds of people wanting to buy including some from overseas.However, that is preventi

Chris Lynch was joined by Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods and MP for Waimakariri Matt Doocey to discuss the nearly half million dollar salary of the new Christchurch City Council CEO and discounting electric vehicles.

Chris Lynch was joined by Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Poto Williams and National MP David Carter to discuss whether we should employ a no vaccinations, no benefit policy here in New Zealand and should we have an opt out employment union system.   

Thinking of buying an as is where is house? It could be fraught with legal difficulties.Lawyer, Peter Woods, partner at Anthony Harper, told Chris Lynch why he is concerned about the as is where is market.

Caller of the day Vanessa told Chris Lynch the welfare of the child is most important and believes vaccination is the best way to go. 

General Manager of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce Michaela Blacklock joined Canterbury Mornings with Chris Lynch to give an update on the current business climate in Christchurch.Michaela says the last 18 months have been incredibly exciting for the central city, but some business will be struggling for the short term while new developments slowly begin operating.LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE

Chris Lynch spoke to Icehouse frontman and creative powerhouse Iva Davies following the announcement Icehouse will be performing at Selwyn Sounds 2020.Having just celebrated touring for over 40 years, Icehouse is one of Australia’s most iconic bands, transcending age groups with their hit songs, well known and loved by audiences across generations. 

For the final regular mayor catch up before the local body elections Chris Lynch and Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner discussed the upcoming elections, the appointment of a new Christchurch City Council CEO, Vicki Buck stepping down and rates in the central city.   

Flight attendant and transgender woman, Briar, called the show and told Chris Lynch she would like it to be easier for gender to be changed on birth certificates. She would like to change her gender on her birth certificate to female as for her it is unfinished business and she has made permanent physical changes to reflect that. Briar believes it is important for transgender people to take the public along the journey with them. She says the world hasn't changed as dramatically as we've changed. We've moved quite quickly and we're the ones who have done the changing so we are the ones who actually have to think about the others who may have difficulty with it and take them on that ride with us. 

Proud Maori Grandmother, Rain, called the programme and told Chris Lynch she believes Oranga Tamariki is removing children because it’s in the best interests of the children and Maori need to take responsibility and stop blaming others for their problems.