Holiday Breakfast

The community Omicron infection of UK DJ Dimension is spreading ripples across the entertainment industry.  
He was set to play the Rhythm and Alps festival and spent time at Auckland CBD locations before his positive test was returned.  
About 81 international music artists have been given a spot in MIQ, to come to New Zealand – to get a border exemption they have to get a certain visa.  
NZ Promotions Association president Brent Eccles told Tim Dower it's the worst possible thing for the sector. 
“The problem is that there were a number of other people that were with him and that caused a knock-on effect right across the country, in terms of entertainment.” 
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The South Taranaki town of Patea is famous again, this time for something nothing to do culture or music. 
It's the price of a house. The average is up by sixty per cent in the past year, making it the hottest district in the entire country 
And prices are still climbing almost everywhere else in Valocity's new figures. 
James Wilson from Valocity joined Tim Dower. 
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The Omicron case, a UK DJ here for a festival, returned a positive day nine test after isolating for 10 days – but went into the community before getting the result.  
He spent time in Auckland CBD while possible infectious – with locations of interest including a nightclub and bar.  
Otago University's Lesley Gray told Tim Dower it's important red traffic light setting rules were followed at the locations of interest. 
“If that was observed up to and if people were masking up when moving between areas, for example going to the bathroom, then the risk would be lower.” 
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The Italian Government is mulling over whether to mandate vaccination for workers. 
Nearly 100-thousand new Covid infections and 148 deaths were reported in Italy yesterday. 
Correspondent Angela Giuffrida told Tim Dower it's prompted the Government to consider more measures.  
She says there hasn't been a lot of reaction from the public yet. 
“We should know tonight whether the government confirms that or not, I’m sure there will be some reaction to it afterwards, just waiting to see what happens.” 
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Covid hasn't stopped Taranaki's housing market booming this year.  
South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon says in a whirlwind year, growth in the area has been a highlight.  
Housing demand has been so high, developers have brought forward the next stage of site sales for a new residential community – known as Longview – by five months.  
South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon told Tim Dower it's been fantastic. 
“We’ve had unprecedented number of subdivisions, new houses, our business park is going very well, and all this has led to the fact that we’ve actually been ranked as having one of the fastest rates of growth.” 
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Disabled Whangamata residents will be able to make the most of the summer, with two new beach wheelchairs.   
Toes in the Water fundraised for the specialised chairs, and two walkers. 
Chairperson Dave Ryan told Tim Dower traditional wheelchairs aren't good on soft sand. 
“These wheelchairs are really terrific, and we’ve followed on from what Waihi Beach community project have done, by purchasing them.” 
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A new book by Kiwi chef Annabel Langbein, has hit the shelves.  
Summer at Home is particularly special for Langbein, who co-wrote it with her daughter, Rose.  
Langbein told Tim Dower, Rose has been living in hole in the wall apartments for a long time. 
“She can make do with very little, and the brilliant thing about this book she said, mum I want to have a restricted pantry so that you don’t go out and you buy all these ingredients, often they can be expensive and you use them once.” 
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Top urban planners will be gathering in Christchurch for three days next March to tackle the country's biggest challenges for the coming year.  
Housing affordability and climate change are key topics.  
NZ Planning Institute CEO David Curtis told Tim Dower in terms of housing affordability; they're looking beyond normal market forces.  
He says looking back 20 years, Auckland's Long-Term Plan offered good resolutions to housing and transport issues. 
“The problem was, again it’s still subject to political whim, and we’re looking now at how do we work more closely with government as planners around the current RM reform.” 
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High hopes visitors would flock to Queenstown over summer have been crushed ... so far.  
Businesses believe Covid restrictions and uncertainty are making people fearful of travelling to the tourist town.  
Around the Basin general manager, Steve Norton, told Tim Dower a third of businesses have shut up shop for good. 
“And there’d be probably another third that are really struggling at the moment, so I’d say some businesses are probably operating on 15–20% of what they were doing in pre-Covid times, in 2019.” 
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Four children are in intensive care after a serious crash near Matamata late on Monday night.   
Five children aged 10 to 13 were seriously injured after being flung from the vehicle.  
Police have confirmed the vehicle was stolen from Hamilton, and likely linked to a burglary. 
Local mayor Ash Tanner told Tim Dower the road isn't notorious for accidents ... and it's not yet clear what happened. 
“Everybody makes mistakes and this a particularly bad one that ended the way it has, and thoughts go out to the family and you’ve also got to share a thought for the emergency services.” 
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