Holiday Breakfast

Australia is looking at changing some building rules because of climate change.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has floated the idea of banning building on flood-plains, coming at the end of a year plagued by floods and bush fires.

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds says that building on flood-plains is a practice that's been in place since the European settlements.

Olds says state and local governments get money from the housing consents on those sites, and they'll be reluctant to give up that revenue.

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Big changes in the property market.

The average value has fallen below the million dollar mark for the first time since August 2021.

One Roof Editor Owen Vaughan told Tim Dower that there's been a complete turnaround with price declines of up to 20 percent in the last 12 months.

He says the biggest driver of the earlier prices rises was low interest rates and the drop is the result of the steady rise in rates.

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Australia and Canada have joined other countries including the U.S and U.K in requiring visitors from China to do pre-departure Covid-19 tests to gain entry.

China has seen a massive spike in cases after ditching strict protocols.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold says that the move has been controversial in Canada, with some saying it won't be effective.

He says others argue it will at least buy some time.

New Zealand is doing an assessment on whether to put the policy into place.

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Taxpayers have forked out 30 million dollars worth of ACC claims for e-scooter related injuries since 2018.

The more than 10 thousand claims have an average cost of nearly 3000 dollars.

Advocacy group Living Streets Aotearoa says they are dangerous and put people off walking on footpaths.

President Tim Jones told Tim Beveridge that the law allowing them onto footpaths is set for review in September next year.

He says the e-scooters can go way too fast on footpaths.

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A dog trainer says no fault should be laid after a pet dog was shot dead after attacking police in Christchurch.

It occurred during a manhunt that ended in Linwood, after two offenders abandoned a stolen car and fled on foot.

A pet dog attacked a police dog by biting its throat ... before going after the handler, and then re-attacking the police dog around its face.

President of Association of Pet Dog Trainers Darran Rowe says police were doing their job and the pet dog was likely acting on instinct.

He says if somebody enters a dog's property with another dog, it is likely to act aggressively and protectively.
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After a one year hiatus Auckland will bring in the New Year with a boom.

A five minute light show and fireworks display on the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge will start at midnight tomorrow.

Covid-19 prevented the display last year.

SkyCity Chief Executive Calum Mallet says this year's display will dip into the six figure price range.

He says that there are plenty of spots to watch the show from.
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A change in China's Covid-19 policy has led to tighter travel restrictions in the US.

From January, people arriving from China will need to show a negative test within two days of arrival to the US.

It follows China ditching mandatory isolation for those infected with the virus.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold says cases are rising rapidly there.

He told Tim Beveridge that's translating to serious infection rates amongst travellers. Arnold says on a recent flight out of China half the passengers had the virus.
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A stubborn attitude to safety by men is the main cause of our near record drowning toll.

So far, 90 people have drowned this year —the same as last year— the highest number recorded since 2011, when there were 91 drowning deaths.

In the last few days, one man died after his canoe capsized on a Christchurch lake on Christmas Day, while two people drowned in Auckland and the far North on Boxing Day.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Daniel Gerrard says fatalities are usually older men not wearing life jackets or being on or in the water alone.

He says they often underestimate the conditions and overestimate their knowledge and expertise.

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A number of aid agencies have halted operations in Afghanistan over the Taliban's ban on female aid workers.

The move has been justified by Taliban officials, who say some women have not been adhering to the correct dress code.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark supports the agencies taking a stand ... which include UNICEF and Save the Children.

She says that the Taliban has crossed a red line.

Clark says the UN security council, which doesn't agree on much these days, issued a statement condemning the Taliban's decision ... showing it's universally reviled.

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More travel chaos for UK commuters as rail and Border Force staff launch a fresh wave of strikes.

One thousand border workers are walking off the job today until New Year’s Eve over their pay ... they've been replaced by civil servants and military personnel.

Driving examiners, train drivers and signallers are also striking.

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Tim Beveridge that they want a 10 percent pay rise ... but that's unlikely.

He says if one group wants 10 percent, everyone is going to want 10 percent ... and nurses want 20 per cent.

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