Matt Heath & Tyler Adams Afternoons

Embattled Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle is fighting back against a growing chorus of voices calling for her resignation.  The sporting body is seeking crisis talks with 11 disgruntled former Wallabies captains who have called for a leadership overhaul at the governing body. World Cup-winning skipper Nick Farr-Jones is behind a vote-of-no-confidence letter delivered to boss Raelene Castle and...

What happens when you're nearly three years into the middle of a 8,700 mile hike, you've given up your home, you have no money -- and then coronavirus stops the world in its tracks? That was the dilemma facing Christian Lewis when his quest to walk every twist and turn of the British coastline to raise money for charity was suddenly derailed by the arrival of the pandemic. Lewis, from Swansea in S...

Every day during lockdown, Simon and Phil are catching up with well-known kiwis to see what they're getting up to in lockdown, and have a bit of a social distance catch-up.  Today's guest was All Black and Chiefs Captain Sam Cane, one of life's good guys. they chatted about how he's keeping fit, who's in his bubble, and preparing for the restart of competition rugby.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

There’s been concern from hard hit food businesses of a refusal from Uber Eats to reexamine their high commission fees as New Zealand prepares for Alert Level 3.  Under Alert Level 3, restaurants and cafes will be allowed to trade using delivery services like Uber Eats - but say the 35% commission fee will push them over the edge financially.  Christchurch restaurant Fush used to use the service,...

Professor David Murdoch is an infectious disease expert with Otago University.  He joined Simon and Phil to discuss ongoing concerns from the World Health Organisation about the spread of Covid-19, the race for a vaccine, and why these's many reasons to feel optimistic.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day during lockdown, Simon and Phil are catching up with well-known kiwis to see what they're getting up to in lockdown, and have a bit of a social distance catch-up.  Today's guest was the brilliant Michael Galvin, who's played the iconic Dr Chris Warner on Shortland Street since its inception.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day during lockdown, Simon and Phil are catching up with well-known kiwis to find out what they're doing and how they're coping.  First up was former All Blacks legend and Sky Commentator Justin Marshall, where they chatted his fitness routine, the future of sport, and making beer.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Police Commissioner Andrew Coster joined Simon and Phil to chat about who he is outside of the uniform.  They discussed his love of road bikes, family life, looking after police officers wellbeing, having to shave off his beard, and taking on the top job during the coronavirus crisis.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks legend and mental health champion Sir John Kirwan is stepping up to support Kiwis by making a wellbeing app he helped design free during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mentemia – Italian for "my mind" – was created by Kirwan, who has shared his battle with depression, along with tech entrepreneur Adam Clark and medical advisers. It provides practical tips and techniques to help users take contr...

Stan Walker, Tiki Taane and Anna Coddington are among more than 20 Kiwi music stars who have formed a supergroup to record a Covid-19-busting tune from lockdown. Made across just seven days by singers and musicians in their living rooms, garages and back yards, 'Stay'​ is a waiata - and accompanying video - urging Kiwis to stay home to save lives. Released today, 100 per cent of the proceeds from...

Tauranga doctors are calling for a ban on online alcohol sales during the Covid-19 lockdown after seeing a spike in family violence and further strains on the public health system. Alcohol is listed on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website as an essential service that allowed the online sale and contactless delivery of alcohol. But 12 Tauranga doctors have signed a letter to...

The parents of the Invercargill-born nurse credited by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for saving his life are overwhelmed by the international response. Jenny McGee was born and raised in Invercargill and has been living and working in London for some time. She currently works as in the intensive care department at St Thomas' Hospital in the city. Over Easter weekend Johnson, who has been in...

Psychologist Sara Chatwin joined Simon and Phil to answer your questions and calls on what we can all do to keep our minds in check as we enter the 2nd week of lockdown.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party Leader and chair of the epidemic response committee Simon Bridges joined Simon and Phil to discuss the concerns of New Zealand businesses right now, and what should happen once we get out of lockdown.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pleasure to have back on for our final Dulux DIY, master painter and all round handyman Bevan Tutty to answer all your questions for those lockdown DIY jobs. Bevan has been in the paint industry for over 40 years. He loves the endless outcomes you can achieve from painting, and its advancing technology. The perfect man to help you out with those DIY projects around the home while we're in lockdo...

Gareth Abdinor is an employment lawyer and partner with Malley & Co solicitors.  We have him on regularly to answering your employment related questions.  Great to have him back on today to tackle the raft of issues arising with the Covid-19 lockdown and the ramifications on employment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts at ANSTO’s Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne, are prioritising work that could hold the key to fast-tracking the development of a vaccine for COVID-19. The Synchrotron is the largest particle accelerator in the southern hemisphere. It is about the size of the MCG and produces light a million times brighter than the sun. It is operated by ANSTO and funded by the Australian Government and ot...

The National Party leader is calling for the Government to over-test for COVID-19. Another 61 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed today, bringing the total number of confirmed and probable cases to 708. Epidemic Response Committee chair Simon Bridges told Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford we need thousands of people tested each day, to crack down on the virus. "So we can come out of this sooner and...

Former All Blacks skipper Kieran Read joined Simon and Phil to discuss his future in rugby after his forced return from Japan, the future of the sport itself, and his hopes for recovery once Covid-19 is contained.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research has shown the dramatic effect of the nationwide lockdown on New Zealand’s air quality, and climate experts say it’s proof we have the power to improve our environment. Initial results of air quality monitoring from NIWA show a big drop in traffic pollution in our biggest city. NIWA Principal Air Quality Scientist Dr Ian Longley joined Simon and Phil to discuss the dramatic changes, an...

As cases of Covid-19 increase in many parts of the world, particularly Europe and the US, in China they have seen cases drop, with some restrictions loosened in parts of the country.  Hazel Seager is a Kiwi teacher living in Qingdao City, and has very recently been able to leave self-quarantine as the country slowly reopens. She joined Simon and Phil to share what it was like as the country re-eme...

The internet is awash with suggestions for keeping yourself occupied at home during the coronavirus outbreak, but one Australian scientist ended up in the hospital thanks to his choice of entertainment. With medical authorities around the world advising people to stop touching their faces, to help slow the spread of the virus, Melbourne-based Daniel Reardon thought he would try to make a sensor th...

Rob McIntyre has been living in Singapore for about 18 months working as General Manager Sales & Marketing for two of the biggest hotel complexes in the country. Singapore has been deeply effected by COVID 19, but have flatted the curve of new cases and appear to be keeping it in check.  Rob talked with Simon and Phil about the measures the Singaporean Government have put in place, how it's worked...

Employment lawyer and partner at Malley & Co solicitors Gareth Abdinor joined Simon and Phil today to take your many calls and questions on employment issues during the lockdown.  Plenty to discuss today, including the wage subsidy, annual leave, claiming benefits and more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epidemiologist and Professor in Public Health Michael Baker joined Simon and Phil to discuss the impending nationwide lockdown to limit the spread of coronavirus.  He says if we all take it seriously, stay within our bubbles as much as humanly possible, and follow offical advice, the sooner the lockdown will be able to start to be lifted.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...