Canterbury Mornings

New Zealand is officially in its first recession for 11 years, a casualty of the Covid fallout hammering economies around the world.This country's gross domestic product has shrunk a record 12.2 per cent in the June quarter - as the Covid-19 lockdown and border closures stalled economic output.New Zealand has recorded a second successive quarter of negative growth - the technical measure of a recession.Economists had been forecasting a fall of between 11 per cent and 14 per cent, but forecasts had improved dramatically since the closure of boarders and initial lockdown.New Zealand's last recession ended in the June quarter of 2009.Economist Cameron Bagrie joined Chris Lynch to crunch the numbers.LISTEN ABOVE

There are renewed calls for cameras to go up at a New Brighton Park after two children were attacked.Emma Duggan’s 12-year-old son and his friend were in Thomson Park, in New Brighton, on Sunday when they were punched repeatedly.The friend was taken to hospital and Duggan's son still has headaches.She told Chris Lynch she's since heard the community and local police had called for cameras there - but they never went up.“If there were cameras installed there, we could’ve figured this out already.”A Christchurch City Council spokesperson says there is no provision for security cameras in parks - and says safety was addressed when the park was upgraded.LISTEN ABOVE

Waimakariri Council says a family left with a crumbling house despite the council labelling it 'compliant' need to take the matter to court.In 2010 Nic Hammond bought her home which had received a code compliance certificate just two years earlier.The blocks it's built with have failed and it's now crumbling and leaking.Waimakariri District Council CEO Jim Palmer told Chris Lynch the council certificate was based on extensive reports provided by the home's previous owner including two from structural engineers.He says other parties are to blame.However, Nic Hammond says Palmer doesn't listen and they have been fighting for years.Darin Hammond, Nic's brother in law, also spoke to Chris as he is the builder who applied for the determination from the Ministry for Building Innovation and Employment.Darin says the council knew this house should never have got code compliance in the first place. Listen above.

Hopes Christchurch will soon be able to start building a movie industry.It'll be easier to set up new film studios in the city after the Crown yesterday fast-tracked changes so the city's district plan can be modified.Former Bachelor star and film industry advocate Jordan Mauger told Chris Lynch a few big producers and executives have visited Christchurch in the past but with no locals offices or studios they don't stick around.He says keeping them around will create jobs and see the whole region benefit.Listen above.

Business leaders are frustrated with the extension of level 2 for another week.Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce CEO Leeann Watson spoke to Chris about the need to focus on rebuilding the economy.Listen above

Waimakariri couple living a nightmare as their home crumbles around them.Nic Purdom and her partner Kerry Hammond have been fighting with the Waimakariri District Council for compensation since noticing the Excalibur earth blocks of their home crumbling in 2013. Nic says the council should never have signed off the consents for the house to be built in the first place.Listen above.  

Waimakariri couple living a nightmare as their home crumbles around them.Nic Purdom and her partner Kerry Hammond have been fighting with the Waimakariri District Council for compensation since noticing the Excalibur earth blocks of their home crumbling in 2013. Nic says the council should never have signed off the consents for the house to be built in the first place.Listen above.  

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has paid tribute to long serving Christchurch City Councillor Sally Buck.Sally Buck died last week after battling ill-health.Ms Buck announced her resignation from the Waikura/Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board in June.Lianne Dalziel told Chris Lynch Sally Buck was a quiet achiever, who was “genuine, nice, caring and kind.”Ms Dalziel says Ms Buck was first elected as a city councillor in 1998, and was an extraordinary listener.She said “she got things done and we’re talking about someone who served the community for over 20 years, and that’s outstanding.”“The thing about Sally is she didn’t take a hard line view, but really listened to the concerns of the community she served.”Listen above.

Every Friday Chris Lynch is joined by Mike Yardley wrap the week that was.Listen above

Chris Lynch was joined by Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey to discuss the week in politics.Listen above.

A car park shortage that has angered patients and visitors going to the Christchurch Hospital for years is about to be finally cracked.The Government will build a new 450 space public car park building on nearby district health board land and add about 240 spaces to an existing staff car park in Antigua Street.Regeneration Minister Megan Woods told Chris Lynch there will eventually be more than one thousand new car parks close to the hospital.She says the shortage has gone on for too long.Woods says few people haven't experienced the frustration of trying to find a carpark near the hospital.The new carpark is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months.LISTEN ABOVE

We have to change how we think and act to save lives.Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.Youth mental health advocate Dr Sue Bagshaw told Chris Lynch we can all play a part in changing society for the better.She says it's about creating a world where we accept failure and don't expect each other to be perfect.Michael Hempseed who wrote the suicide prevention guide used by doctors and police says people also need to untangle their self-worth from their job.He says we should also value people for being good friends and neighbours. WHERE TO GET HELPIf you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737

Anti-terror bollards are being installed along one of Christchurch's busiest bar and restaurant areas.Eighteen months after the worst terror attack on New Zealand soil, where 51 people were shot dead at two city mosques, the local authority has moved to protect drinkers and diners along Oxford Tce, on the banks of the Avon River.Canterbury police raised concerns about the "potential risk" that vehicles driving through the area pose to "the groups of people who congregate at night outside the bars on Oxford Terrace".Christchurch City Council said the primary purpose of the $550,000 project was to control permitted access to Oxford Tce, south of Hereford St, and City Mall."Since the creation of the southbound shared zone on Oxford Tce, issues have arisen with vehicles entering the mall outside of the permitted times, driving in the wrong direction and parking illegally," the council said.A city council source told the Star this year terrorist attacks had been part of the discussions over the benefits of install

National's leader has labelled The Ministry of Education 'bonkers' over its focus on sexuality education.A revamp of the resource is taking into account increased awareness around sexuality and gender diversity and the availability of explicit pornography online.Judith Collins says when it comes to gender it's up to parents on what's best for their children not the Ministry.She says what really matters right now in education is that students learn to read, write, enjoy school, love learning and that they have a future.Listen above.

Concern new guidelines for education on relationships and sexuality could disadvantage children from religious backgrounds.Schools are now guided to allow students to use bathrooms and wear uniforms that best reflect their gender.But Speak Up For Women spokeswoman Ani O'Brien told Chris Lynch exploring gender ideology could be difficult for some.She says it could unfairly impact Muslim girls, for example, because they aren't allowed to share intimate spaces and change in front of members of the opposite sex, regardless of how the other person identifies.LISTEN ABOVE

Schools have been told to let students choose their own gender identities and names.New relationships and sexuality education guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education say that schools must "uphold the human rights of all people".Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin told Chris Lynch at no time will a teacher ask a child what gender they want to be.She says it's as simple as a child stating their preferred name.Martin says calling caregivers Mum and Dad won't be removed, but they'll also include names like aunty, and grand parents and other caregivers.LISTEN ABOVE

National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee has rubbished claims by Christchurch's Mayor it's his fault infill housing is clogging up quiet streets.Mayor Lianne Dalziel blames the previous Government for high density housing in residential zones.Brownlee told Chris Lynch the city council has wanted to increase inner city housing for years including under Dalziel's seven year term.He says the district plan was put through a fast-track process at the council's requestDalziel says packing in townhouses can create traffic and living problems in narrow streets.A report will go to the council on Wednesday.Listen above.

Christchurch's mayor is backing a shake up of high density housing which is jamming up streets in quiet neighbourhoods.A city council report on residential medium density zones will go to a committee on Wednesday with residents complaining of their poor quality.Mayor Lianne Dalziel told Chris Lynch she asked for a report to investigate high density housing in the district plan.She says they are signed off at council because they're in compliance with the plan.Dalziel says the demolition of three houses to build 18 townhouses can create traffic and living problems in narrow streets.Listen above.

The All Right? campaign was launched in February 2013 to support the psychosocial recovery of Cantabrians following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.Today marks 10 years since the September 4 quake and Ciarán Fox from All Right? joined Chris to speak about the city's recovery and what we've learned.Listen above.  

Every Friday Chris Lynch is joined by Mike Yardley wrap the week that was.This week on the 10 year anniversary, Mike reflects on the September 4th earthquake.Listen above.