Holiday Breakfast

Extreme disappointment for New Zealanders in Australia longing to fly home for summer. 
They're out of luck, with the reopening of the border, pushed back until the end of February. 
Australian newspapers are reporting Omicron cases could reach up to 200-thousand cases a day next year, without tougher restrictions.  
Correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower many in New South Wales are questioning why wearing masks in shopping centres has been dropped. 
“But the State Government in New South Wales under Dominic Perottet, and indeed in Victoria under Daniel Andrews is adamant that we’re not going back to those measures.” 
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Covid cases in the United States are reaching staggering heights. 
The country is suffering its worst-case numbers yet, just days out from Christmas. 
Omicron is dominating, with the variant accounting for 73 per cent of infections.  
US correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower the rapid rise is staggering.  
He says shut downs and cancellations are widespread. 
“This is a serious spike in cases, to be honest, caused by the new variant, here it is being fuelled by the fact that, still, vaccination rates are ridiculously low.” 
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Back on the road again...and with our internal borders open again, one area that's eager so see visitors is the Hauraki District. 
Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams joined Tim Dower. 
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The Government isn't giving too much away when it comes to today's announcement on our moves against Omicron. 
Cabinet met yesterday to get advice on bringing forward booster shots, and possibly changing the settings at the border. 
There are people in Australia banking on the borders to open, without the need for MIQ, on January 17. 
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson told Tim Dower they don't want people restricted from returning, any longer than they have to. 
Chris Hipkins will make an announcement at 2 this afternoon. 
“We also have to be aware that circumstances with Covid-19 keep moving, the public ask us to be agile and nimble in the face of Covid, and therefore, we have to continually update our decision-making process.” 
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Strong calls for the country to switch to using its own local ships and crews – to ensure a reliable service. 
That's the message from the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild representing maritime workers. 
Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the global supply chains – sparking shipping delays.  
Merchant Service Guild vice president Iain MacLeod told Tim Dower being stuck down the bottom of the world, New Zealand should be looking after its own infrastructure. 
“We need to level the playing field so New Zealand operators can compete against these big boys, and trade successfully to look after New Zealand’s market.” 
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Restrictions on arrivals from UK into France and Germany. 
Booster vaccinations ramping up in France. 
Correspondent Catherine Field joined Tim Dower. 
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Our summer with the Mayors road trip continues into South Waikato this morning. 
It's been a weird 2020, with Covid cases popping up out of the blue, and various restrictions.  
But out of the confusion, new leaders emerged in the community. 
South Waikato District mayor Jenny Shattock joined Tim Dower. 
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A new birthing unit designed to handle 24-hundred babies every year will open in Christchurch in early 2023.  
The Canterbury District Health board's announced a new unit located near Christchurch Hospital has been approved. 
It will feature family rooms and education areas.  
Christchurch midwife Jay Waretini-Beaumont told Tim Dower it's fantastic news. 
“It being something that we have, or I have heard about since I was a student midwife 10 years ago, so to see it come into fruition is just the bee’s knees.” 
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New Zealanders stuck overseas are waiting to hear if they can come home next month or not. 
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins will make an announcement this afternoon on the Government's response to Omicron. 
It's getting advice on bringing forward booster shots, and possibly changing the settings at the border. 
As things stand, those in Australia can come home and skip MIQ from January 17. 
Grounded Kiwis spokesperson Alexandra Birt told Tim Dower they've heard rumours a change will be made today. 
“The people who were impacted by that, particularly the people who had booked to come back from Australia, the uncertainty is really difficult for them to deal with, many of these people have been waiting months and months, some of them are in very dire situations.” 
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What a weird year for any government.  
An historic election win, but it all came crashing down in August when Delta arrived – Auckland has had more than 100 days in lockdown.  
So, with the traffic lights now in place, the borders gone – how does the government feel the year went? And what does 2022 have in store? 
We had a talk with Sir Ian Taylor yesterday, you'll likely know his thoughts on the MIQ process and such.  
Here's what he said about what happens when business tries to pitch MIQ or Covid testing ideas to the Ministry of Health, what do you say to this? 
“Everywhere you turn it’s the Ministry of Health that seems to block any discussion, and it is interesting that there are a number of business people I have talked to that have stepped up in support, there are a number of people working with government who have stepped up in support, but all of them feel threatened to speak out. Now that’s not a democracy.” 
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