Canterbury Mornings

National leader Judith Collins says the reasons behind a low amount of support for the party in the South Island will be considered as part of a review.She joined Canterbury Mornings with Chris Lynch on Newstalk ZB."You can see the party vote went up for act, they took a chunk of what we would normally consider our vote."Whether they [South Island] went as red as it looks like if you compare the centre-right vote together, it's not so much," she told Lynch.Collins said they expect Gerry Brownlee to continue to represent Christchurch for the party."I think some people would look at the rebuild and say oh it should have done better but I know he gave the biggest effort of anybody into that rebuild."In the fullness of time, I think he will be treated much better by history."The party is considering how it can make sure it has a presence in Christchurch and the wider area."Not just with Gerry but with others and how we can bring in other MPs as well to ensure we are covering the city."National's resounding defeat

The foreign fishermen who've tested positive for Covid-19 in Christchurch were given a recognised test before boarding the plane.Eleven have returned positive results at the Sudima Hotel and 14 other cases are under investigation.They're among 440 fishers from Russia and the Ukraine, 270 of whom are due to go out on three Independent Fisheries boats next month.Air Commodore Darryn Webb told Chris Lynch on Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings that numbers of infected people were expected to increase."I think it's logical to expect that. We knew in the planning that places like Russia are high risk."Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield would update at 1pm, he said.He said it was not an "uncontained outbreak" and something that happens in our facilities. The processes were robust and fit for purpose."We have an exclusive use facility for these fishermen. Part of the process early on is that we do know they are coming from a high risk area so let's provide them a single location."He said there was a 24-hour

The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Government to articulate its economic plan in the next few weeks."In the midst of Covid-19 and the unpredictability that continues to bring, the election outcome will give some certainty and a level of continuity for the business community," said the chamber's chief executive Leeann Watson.Watson told Chris Lynch it will be important that the Government articulates its economic plan in the next few weeks and focuses on a transformative agenda to maintain business confidence and accelerate the country's economic recovery."The last year has been very challenging, with the uncertainty of Covid-19 compressed by the lead-up and subsequent postponement of the general election."Businesses need predictability and stability for forward planning, particularly for sectors such as agriculture, energy, manufacturing and infrastructure."With a strong mandate to govern alone this also brings expectations of delivery and trust so it is imperative the Labour Part

Banks Peninsula clearly got swept up in the red wave with the Labour candidate claiming a commanding win.New MP Tracey McLellan told Chris Lynch she is excited and feeling pretty stoked with the strong mandate. McLellan comfortably took the electorate with a more than 11,000 vote majority between her and nearest rival, National's Catherine Chu.She says the campaign was strongly built on the positive message of building back better and being part of a team. Listen above.

A new Christchurch MP says the real work starts today.Labour's Sarah Pallett firmly won the Illam seat on Saturday night, a position held by National MP Gerry Brownlee since 1996.Pallett told Chris Lynch people in her electorate have shown they are ready for a change.She says people are ready to support Labour's mandate while having appreciated their work that has been done over the past three years - particularly through the Covid-19 crisis.Pallett's win is one of 15 Labour seat victories previously held by National.Listen above.

Labour's campaign manager Megan Woods admits the Party was floored to win Christchurch's Ilam seat over Gerry Brownlee.Brownlee fell two thousand votes behind Labour's Sarah Pallett to lose the electorate he's held since 1996 to transform Christchurch into a Labour stronghold.Woods told Chris Lynch Pallett connected with the electorate and Jacinda Ardern's appeal cannot be ignored.But she says the win wasn't expected.Woods says it speaks to Christchurch people buying into Labour's plans for the future.Listen above.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel feels a Labour-led Government will usher in a new environment of inclusive politics.In this new spirit, the city council has brought in ECan and district councils to put together a briefing for new MPs with a strategic plan.Dalziel told Chris Lynch she was impressed on election night when Jacinda Ardern says she would govern on behalf of all Kiwis.She says this is clearly a response to people who had never voted for Labour before.Dalziel says it felt like a rejection of abrasive and divisive politics.Listen above.  

Chris Lynch and Mike Yardley react to the election results and discuss the big winners and losers for Canterbury with some reaction from listeners. Listen above.

Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey isn't taking anything for granted following his win.He's disappointed fellow National candidates lost the fight in greater Christchurch - but humbled that Waimakariri voters stuck with him.Doocey told Chris Lynch a lack of internal discipline was one of many factors contributing to the election result.He says voters would struggle to believe National could lead the country if it couldn't lead itself.As the Party Whip, Doocey will organise the induction of new MPs and on Wednesday farewells retiring MPs and a few who didn't make the cut.Listen above

Christchurch East MP Poto Williams vows a stronger voice for Christchurch will emerge from the new Labour stronghold.The Christchurch East MP comfortably took the electorate with a more than 14,000 vote majority between her and nearest rival, National's Lincoln Platt.Williams told Chris Lynch Labour's in a position now to push the message more strongly for the city.She says the national Covid 19 recovery needs to look at Christchurch's unique set of legacy earthquake issues.Williams said she is sad to see National veteran Gerry Brownlee on the losing end, even if their relationship got testy at times.Listen above. 

Christchurch Police accept they should have abandoned the pursuit of a fleeing driver,  that ended in the death of Kenneth McCaul.The Independent Police Conduct Authority found officers shouldn't have started the chase and had many opportunities to pull out.The fleeing Toyota passed through eight red lights at up to 137 kilometres an hour before colliding with McCaul's vehicle.The driver, then 17 year old driver was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment.But McCaul's husband, Owen Fraser, told Chris Lynch he doesn't blame the police."The police were not in the wrong, it was the driver who wouldn't stop."LISTEN ABOVE  

Canterbury District Health Board medical officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink joined Chris Lynch on the show to talk about the dangers of Legionnaires' disease now that spring is here and people are looking to get out into the garden. Listen above. 

Christchurch may be losing its status as the country's most affordable city.House prices are nearly six percent higher than a year ago at a mid-point of just over 500 thousand dollars.OneRoof property commentator Ashley Church told Chris Lynch it's driven by mortgage rates, which could go as low as one percent.Ashley Church says the Reserve Bank won't increase cash rates until the economy is back on its feet.Listen above.

Act Party leader David Seymour feels sorry for most people who attack him.Eighteen-year-old Green Party candidate Luke Wijohn  this week let off a stream of insults at Seymour, saying he defended white supremacists, and criticising his wanting to charge students interest on loans, and decrease the minimum wage.Seymour told Chris Lynch he pities people who have such strident views, but spend so little time thinking about them.He hopes Greens' leaders will take Wijohn aside and remind him the Party values mean they're supposed to be nice.Asked about Judith Collins' obesity comments, David Seymour says lifestyle choices have helped him lose weight.National leader Judith Collins is standing by comments she made on Newstalk ZB, suggesting obesity is a personal choice and a matter of personal responsibility.The Act leader says he's lost 14 kilograms and improved his health, by taking personal responsibility and giving up alcohol.WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE

Christchurch may soon become an international name for transport and technology.Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel told Chris Lynch the city is continuing to establish itself as a hub for transport and aerospace development. This includes initiatives such as the world's first self-piloted electric air taxi.Dalziel says if her city can continue to trial these technologies of the future than Christchurch will soon find itself on the global map for all the right reasons.Listen above.

Judith Collins says she will end her "no alcohol while campaigning" streak after the election this weekend.On Chris Lynch's Newstalk ZB show this morning in Christchurch, the National leader said she will probably have to have a drink on Sunday night as she will be busy on Saturday with the election."On Saturday night I'm going to be with my people from Papakura, all my supporters and volunteers, and then we will move into the national party's event afterward."When asked if she writes both a winning and concession speech, Collins said she does not prepare anything."I haven't written anything, most of my speeches I just say what I think and I expect I'll do exactly the same on Saturday night. That saves me the trouble of thinking, winning or losing. I'm only playing to win."I'm going to do the very best job I can to get that National party vote up. It's been 'party vote National' every single moment of my waking life."Collins also slammed the latest announcement from the Provincial Growth Fund, saying she is '

Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce General Manager Michaela Blacklock joined Chris Lynch to discuss the outlook for the job seekers in the current economic climate. 

Jacinda Ardern says more funding isn't going to help fix problems at Canterbury DHBLast week the Government signed off on a $180 million cash injection, which will effectively write off the DHB's deficit.Jacinda Ardern told Chris Lynch part of the problem stems from the fact there was a period of under investment of DHBs for years.But she admits that's not the only issue."It’s not enough to say more money will fix the issue. We need to look at the way which we are running our health sector generally."Ardern says population based funding has been used for a number of years - which means smaller populations miss out - despite having high health needs.

The Canterbury DHB hasn't been living within its means - but the Government says it needed to step in to keep the lights on.Chris Hipkins has signed off on a $180-million cash injection.The DHB has a $180 million deficit - the highest DHB deficit in the country.Hipkins told Chris Lynch there still needs to be discussions with the Canterbury DHB to get it operating within its budget.He says Government gave them an extra 100 million in funding this year, but the DHB kept upping its spending.LISTEN ABOVE

A Christchurch researcher is developing technology he hopes can print human blood vessels and tissue.Biomedical engineer, Dr Khoon Lim, has been researching the technology for the past eight years and has pioneered a "bio ink" containing human cells.He told Chris Lynch he is trying to create functional body parts that can be implanted into patients.Dr Lim now has prototypes of printed human cartilage.Listen above.