IT'S TUESDAY THE 23rd OF JULY. MORENA. THIS IS BREAKFAST. OUR TOP STORY THIS MORNING ` THE GOVERNMENT FIRES THE BOARD OF HEALTH NEW ZEALAND AND REPLACES THEM WITH A COMMISSIONER. HEALTH NZ IS CURRENTLY OVER-SPENDING AT THE RATE OF $130m A MONTH. HEALTH MINISTER DR SHANE RETI SAYS THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION IN FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. COMING UP, WE'LL HEAR FROM THE FORMER HEALTH NZ CHAIR WHO CALLS THE DECISION THE WRONG DIAGNOSIS, WRONG TREATMENT. PLUS, AT 7.00, WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PRIME MINISTER. ALSO COMING UP ` THE SMALL EAST COAST COMMUNITY TRYING TO STOP MORE POKIE MACHINES COMING INTO THEIR TOWN. THE FIGHT AGAINST A GAMBLING BUSINESS OPENING AT THE LOCAL PUB NEAR WAIROA SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WE'LL HEAR WHY ONE RESIDENT IS ON A CAMPAIGN TO PUT THE WELFARE OF HER TOWN OVER PROFITS. AND THE ATHLETES ARE ARRIVING ` EVEN OUR TVNZ TEAM HAS LANDED. PARIS OLYMPICS PREPARATIONS MOVE UP A GEAR AHEAD OF THE OPENING CEREMONY. UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY PROTOCOLS ARE UNDERWAY IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL. THIS HOUR, WE'LL GO LIVE TO PARIS TO GAUGE THE VIBE AND FIND OUT WHAT'S FIRST ON THE AGENDA FOR NEW ZEALAND, AND WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. ARE YOU TAKING TIME OFF WORK TO WATCH THE OLYMPICS? WHAT IS IT, 10 DAYS? DO PEOPLE STILL TAKE TIME... AS A KID MY PARENTS USED TO THROW MATTRESSES IN THE LOUNGE AND YOU WOULD SPEND ABOUT 10 DAYS COMING IN AND OUT, WATCHING WHAT HE WANTED TO WATCH. I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE STILL DOING THAT NOW. THAT'S MY WHARE. BUT WE FORGET TO TAKE THE BED BACK AFTER THE WEEKEND. AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD MOST TO WATCHING? ATHLETICS? WEIGHTLIFTING? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. RIGHT NOW, IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. HERE'S INDIRA WITH THE NEWS. IT'S BEEN 24 HOURS SINCE JOE BIDEN THREW THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL RACE ON ITS HEAD. ALL EYES ARE NOW ON VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, WHO HAS STEPPED UP AS BIDEN'S LIKELY SUCCESSOR TO TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP. THE BBC'S SARAH SMITH REPORTS. (BAND PLAYS UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC) A GROUP OF ATHLETIC CHAMPIONS VISITING THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT USUALLY BROADCAST LIVE ON TV, BUT KAMALA HARRIS, WHO'S WELCOMING THEM, IS NOW THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION. SHE'S EXPECTED TO SOON TAKE OVER AS THE DEMOCRAT'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, NOW THAT JOE BIDEN HAS STEPPED ASIDE AND ENDORSED HER. AND I AM FIRST-HAND WITNESS THAT EVERY DAY, OUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FIGHTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND WE ARE DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR NATION. JOE BIDEN HAD NEVER LOOKED MORE FRAIL OR ELDERLY THAN THE LAST TIME WE SAW HIM, GOING HOME TO RECOVER FROM COVID AND TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF HIS LIFE. KAMALA HARRIS GOT A CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT ON SUNDAY MORNING SAYING HE WAS GOING, AND HE HOPED SHE'D TAKE OVER. THIS RACE WILL BE DECIDED BY YOU. THE POLITICAL MOMENTUM THAT SWUNG BEHIND HER THEN CAME SO FAST IT WOULD GIVE YOU WHIPLASH, WITH MANY OF THE PARTY'S NAMES RUSHING TO ENDORSE HER. HILLARY CLINTON POSTED AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH TOGETHER, SAYING MISS HARRIS WILL MAKE A BRILLIANT CASE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP. POSSIBLE CANDIDATES LIKE JOSH SHAPIRO, GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, SAID HE'LL DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO HELP ELECT KAMALA HARRIS. CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAID SHE'D LEAD THE COUNTRY IN A HEALTHIER DIRECTION. KAMALA WAS IN ON IT. REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY ATTACKING HER, ACCUSING HER OF COVERING UP FOR JOE BIDEN'S HEALTH PROBLEMS. BUT KAMALA KNEW JOE COULDN'T DO THE JOB, SO SHE DID IT. LOOK WHAT SHE GOT DONE ` A BORDER INVASION, RUNAWAY INFLATION. THERE ARE NOW JUST FOUR WEEKS FOR KAMALA HARRIS TO SECURE HER PLACE AS HER PARTY'S CANDIDATE AND TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO VOTERS ON HER OWN TERMS. A HELICOPTER WILL BE SENT OUT AT FIRST LIGHT TO INSPECT A LARGE FIRE NEAR TWIZEL. FOUR PROPERTIES WERE EVACUATED NEAR LAKE PUKAKI, WHERE THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY BURNING THROUGH GRASS. A COMMUNITY MEETING IS BEING HELD AT AROUND 7 THIS MORNING FOR THOSE AFFECTED. THE FIRE IS NOT YET CONTAINED, AND THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE. STATE HIGHWAY 80 REMAINS CLOSED. A SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES NATIONWIDE IS PROMPTING A CALL TO GET PROTECTED. A BRIEFING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION CENTRE HAS HIGHLIGHTED LOW IMMUNISATION RATES, WITH ONLY HALF OF PREGNANT PEOPLE BETWEEN DECEMBER 2023 AND FEBRUARY 2024 RECEIVING THE FOUR IMMUNISATIONS NEEDED. THE FIGURE DROPPING TO LESS THAN A THIRD FOR MAORI. WHOOPING COUGH IS A HIGHLY INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE WITH LIMITED TREATMENT OPTIONS ONCE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, WITH AROUND HALF OF BABIES UNDER 1 DIAGNOSED ARE HOSPITALISED. TO SPORT, AND THE CENTRAL PULSE HAVE SECURED A HOME FINAL IN THE ANZ PREMIERSHIP AFTER A DOMINATE PERFORMANCE OVER THE TACTIX. THE PULSE WINNING THREE OUT OF THE FOUR QUARTERS. THE HOT HAND OF YOUNG SHOOTER MARTINA SALMON HELPING THE CENTRAL SIDE TO THE 58-44 VICTORY. SALMON... THAT'S DELIGHTFUL. THE PULSE WILL HAVE THIS WEEK OFF WHILE THE TACTIX WILL HOST THE MYSTICS IN SATURDAY'S ELIMINATION FINAL. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S MAKING THEMSELVES AT HOME IN PARIS AHEAD OF THE OLYMPICS. AROUND 60 KIWI ATHLETES HAVE SO FAR ARRIVED IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL AND ARE SETTLING INTO THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE. CHEF DE MISSION NIGEL AVERY SAYS THERE'S A BUZZ IN THE AIR. THEY'RE FEELING EXCITED. THEIR TRAVEL WAS DISRUPTED TO SOME DEGREE BY THE OUTAGES AND WHATNOT. BUT, HEY` AND I THINK SOMEBODY LEFT AN UNACCOMPANIED BAG AND THERE'S... YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST TRAVEL, RIGHT? AND SO I THINK YOU JUST ROLL WITH THAT. MOST OF THEM ARE ON A ROLL, AND THEY GO STRAIGHT TO THE DINING HALL, HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT, CHECK THAT OUT, WHICH IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT PART. BUT NOW THEY'RE JUST GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND AND JUST GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER IN THAT ENVIRONMENT PLUS OTHER TEAMS. THE FIRST NEW ZEALANDERS TO COMPETE IN PARIS WILL BE THE MEN'S FOOTBALLERS AND MEN'S RUGBY SEVENS TOMORROW NIGHT. CAN'T WAIT! AND BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR LEBRON JAMES HAS BEEN PICKED AS ONE OF TEAM USA'S FLAGBEARERS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE 39-YEAR-OLD SAYS IT'S AN HONOUR TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES IN WHAT WILL BE HIS FOURTH OLYMPICS. JAMES AND THE STAR-STUDDED AMERICANS HEAD TO PARIS AS FAVOURITES FOR BASKETBALL GOLD, DESPITE SCRAPPING PAST SOUTH SUDAN IN THEIR LAST WARM-UP GAME. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM IS SET TO NAME ITS FLAGBEARERS ON FRIDAY. SPEAKING ABOUT THAT, SORRY TO INTERRUPT, I WONDER WHO NEW ZEALAND'S FLAG BEARER IS GOING TO BE. WHO'S YOUR PICK? I DON'T KNOW. WHO WAS IT LAST TIME? IT DEPENDS ON WHEN THE EVENTS ARE BEING SCHEDULED, BECAUSE THAT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON WHO CAN INTO CAN'T. WHEN WAS LISA CARRINGTON THE FLAG BEARER? I CAN'T REMEMBER. WAS THAT RIO? WAS THAT THE LAST ONE? WHAT ABOUT THE ONE WITH TOM AND GUY WITH THE COCONUT OIL ALL OVER HIS BODY? LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (GROOVY MUSIC) (GROOVY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. KAITAIA, 16 IS YOUR HIGH. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY ` NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, BUT DO EXPECT TO SEE THE SUN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 11 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY FOR YOU. 15 THE HIGH FOR GISBORNE, NAPIER AND HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. 15 THE HIGH FOR WHANGANUI. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. KAIKOURA, A WINDY MORNING FOR YOU, BUT THAT SHOULD EASE OFF AFTER LUNCH. 14 IS YOUR HIGH, NELSON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. THAT CLOUD WILL CLEAR FOR MOST OF YOU. EXPECT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR MILFORD SOUND AND DUNEDIN. AN OVERSPEND OF AROUND $130 MILLION A MONTH ` THAT'S WHY THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAD SERIOUS CONCERNS AROUND THE 'FINANCIAL DETERIORATION' OF HEALTH NZ. AND THAT'S WHY MINISTER SHANE RETI ANNOUNCED HEALTH NZ'S BOARD WOULD BE REPLACED BY A COMMISSIONER, BLAMING WHAT HE CALLED THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT'S 'MISMANAGED' HEALTH REFORMS. TO DISCUSS, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY FORMER HEALTH NZ CHAIR ROB CAMPBELL. MORENA, ROB. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. WAS AN URGENT INTERVENTION REQUIRED? I DON'T KNOW THE MOST RECENT FIGURES, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IF YOU TAKE THOSE FIGURES AT FACE VALUE, AND INTERVENTION WAS REQUIRED AND HAS BEEN REQUIRED FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. SO NONE OF THIS IS NEW. IT TOOK DECADES TO WRECK OUR HEALTH SYSTEM, AND IT MAY TAKE DECADES TO BRING IT RIGHT BUT IT WON'T HAPPEN QUICKLY OR CHEAPLY OR CONTINUALLY RESHUFFLING THE CHEERS AT THE TOP. IT'S A SAD DAY, I THINK, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE SYSTEM. YOU WERE CHAIR FOR 2021 TO 2023. IT WAS A MAJOR EFFORT TO GET THE DISTRICT HEALTH BOARDS TOGETHER WHICH WERE ALL AT VERY DIFFERENT STAGES. SOME QUITE GOOD, SOME NOT QUITE NEARLY AS GOOD. A LOT OF DIFFERENCES, SO BRINGING THEM TOGETHER WAS THE FIRST JOB AND IN THAT TIME, THERE WAS DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LEADERSHIP AND THE FRONTLINE OF HEALTH SERVICES. BUT THE CLEAR EFFORT HAS BEEN TO TRY AND GET OVER THAT. WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I DO THINK ANYONE WOULD SAY THERE HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH DONE IN TE WHATU ORA. JULY 2022 WAS WHEN THE NEW HEALTH REFORMS CAME INTO PLAY. HAS THERE BEEN ENOUGH TIME SINCE THEN UNTIL WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CAME IN AT THE END OF LAST YEAR UNTIL THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOW? I THINK WE KNOW IT HASN'T BEEN. THERE IS TOO MUCH HE SAID SHE SET UP AMONG POLITICIANS. WE WATCH THE HEALTH SYSTEM DETERIORATE AS MORE PRACTICES BECAME PRIVATE. POORLY DELIVERED AND POORLY FUNDED, SO WE ALL KNOW THIS, NOT JUST ONE POLITICAL PARTY. THE PRIME MINISTER SAID IT IS NOT ABOUT FUNDING, IT IS ABOUT MISMANAGEMENT. IS HE RIGHT? NO, I THINK IT'S A MIXTURE, LEGISLATION HAS NOT BEEN AS INTENDED. SUCCESSIVE MINISTERS, INCLUDING THE CURRENT ONE, HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CROWN ENTITIES STRUCTURE THAT WAS CREATED AND HAVE WORKED PAST AND THERE IT SO THE BOARD IS ACTUALLY NOT ALL THAT RELEVANT TO THE SITUATION, SO THERE HAS BEEN MISMANAGEMENT OF THAT PROCESS AT A VERY SENIOR LEVEL. I WOULD THINK THAT WAS A BIGGER CONCERN. THE MINISTRY PRESIDED OVER THIS HEALTH SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME. IT EFFECTIVELY DROVE THE RESOURCES FOR THE NEW SYSTEM. THE MINISTER SETS THE FUNDING FOR THE NEW SYSTEM, AND THE MINISTRY JUST SALES THROUGH THIS, AND THEY ARE NOW AS OPPOSED TO BE ALONGSIDE THE SAME COMMISSIONER. WE'VE HAD COMMISSIONERS AND DISTRICT HEALTH BOARDS BEFORE. BUT THIS IS ONE COMMISSIONER... BUT WE HAVE HAD ONE BEFORE. ...OVERSEEING THE NEW CHANGES. IT IS A LOT OF POWER OF ONE PERSON. YES, WE ALL NEED THIS TO WORK EVERY TIME THIS KIND OF CHANGE HAPPENS. MY OWN VIEW THAT IT IS TOO MUCH POWER AND I DON'T THINK THE BOARD WAS THE PROBLEM. THEY TALK ABOUT STACKING THE BOARD, THE BOARD WAS MAINLY GONE. YOU DON'T HAVE A SACK PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LEFT. THE ISSUE HERE IS TO ACHIEVE A SWITCH OF POWER TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY DELIVERING... CAN ONE PERSON ACHIEVE THAT? WELL, IT WILL BE VERY HARD BUT IT IS POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNMENT IS TALKING ABOUT GOING BACK TO 4 REGIONS. I HEAR THAT, BUT I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, KNOWING THE PEOPLE WHO WORK WITHIN TE WHATU ORA. THAT'S NOT REALLY THE ANSWER, FRANKLY. WE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE OF 14 LAYERS OF BUREAUCRACY BETWEEN THE BOARD AND FRONT-LINE SERVICES. NOBODY CAN TELL US WHAT THOSE 14 LAYERS ARE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, BUT DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT TO YOU? IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AWFUL LOT. I GOT AN EMAIL FROM SOMEONE LAST WEEK SAYING, WE FOUND IT REALLY HARD TO DEAL WITH YOUR COMMISSIONER PEOPLE. THEY WERE SENT A DOCUMENT, WHICH I HAVE, WHICH IS 50 PAGES LONG. THEY JUST THREW UP THEIR HANDS IN HORROR. AND IT'S THE CULTURE WE ARE STILL LIVING IN. WE HAVE TO BREAK THROUGH THIS, BUT I KEEP COMING BACK TO THE FACT THAT FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S POINT OF VIEW, TO TALK ABOUT COSTS HERE IS NOT THE ISSUE, IT'S ABOUT CAN WE GET TO GOOD HEALTH SYSTEM? YOU CAN'T HIT A GOOD HEALTH SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE WALKING BACKWARDS ON TOBACCO CONTROL, ALCOHOL CONTROL, SPEEDS ON ROADS AND UNDERFUNDING THE GP SECTOR. WHILE ALL THOSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO. YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE A BETTER HEALTH SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. E WHAI AKE NEI ` THE COUNTDOWN IS ON TO THE OPENING OF THE PARIS OLYMPICS, AND OUR ATHLETES HAVE STARTED ARRIVING AT THE VILLAGE. WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM OUR TEAM LIVE ON THE GROUND SHORTLY. Big Save's Stock Liquidation Sale has nothing to do with liquid, but it does have a lot to do with significant discounts and impressive cost cutting on high-quality furniture. So let these savings flow over you like liquid. Only at Big Save. # CAN YOU FEEL IT? # FEEL IT IN THE AIR. # THE WIND IS TAKING ME EVERYWHERE. CAN YOU FEEL THAT? YES, IT'S OLYMPIC FEVER. OUR ATHLETES HAVE TOUCHED DOWN IN PARIS AHEAD OF THE START OF THE GAMES, WHICH MEANS ITS THE FIRST TIME WE GET TO SAY AN OFFICIAL BONJOUR TO EUROPE CORRESPONDENT MEI HERON AND OLYMPICS REPORTER GUY HEVELDT. BONJOUR! MEI, WHAT'S THE VIBE THERE LIKE? BONJOUR, DANIEL. I HAVEN'T HAD A CROISSANT YET BUT I MANAGED TO GET SOME JAPANESE FOOD FOR DINNER AS I DON'T QUESTION THAT TOO MUCH. BUT THE VIBE IS PICKING UP JUST A BIT. WE WERE THERE WEEKS AGO AND YOU COULD SEE THE RINGS GOING UP. BUT YOU CAN SENSE A REAL PICKUP OF THE MOOD, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU TALK TO THE ATHLETES. THERE ARE ABOUT 60 AND MORE ARRIVING EVERY SINGLE DAY. GUY, I SAW YOU IN THE NEWSROOM LAST WEEK. YOU'RE IN PARIS NOW, WHEN DID YOU GET THERE AND HOW IS PARIS PREPARED AHEAD OF THE GAMES? YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN ME IN THE NEWSROOM APPROXIMATELY 30 HOURS OR SO. I GOT TO PARIS... WAS THE TIME? I DON'T EVEN KNOW. WE LANDED AT ABOUT 10 TO 2. WE HAD JAPANESE, WHAT'S DOWN HERE AND NOW I AM ABOUT TO GO TO BED, BUT I AM BUZZING TO BE HERE. GOING TO THE ARRIVALS HALL, I SAW SO MANY SOUTH AFRICAN ATHLETES, WE WERE ON THE SAME FLIGHT AS A LOT OF SAMOAN ATHLETES. ANDY MURRAY WAS IN MY TRAIN OVER HERE. YOU WIN. THANK YOU. WE ARE SEEING PRETTY BIG ATHLETES HERE, THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SWAPPING PENS WITH OTHER ATHLETES IN THE VILLAGE, AND JUST THE VIBE IN GENERAL IS REALLY PICKING UP, I THINK. I LIKE HOW GUY ARRIVES IN FRANCE AND HAS JAPANESE FOR HIS FIRST MEAL. IT WAS NOT MY IDEA. JUST DRIVING HERE, COMING TO THE MAIN STREETS, THERE ARE COPS ON PRETTY MUCH EVERY CORNER. IT IS REALLY HARD TO MISS THEM, BUT ALSO BLOCKS ROADS AS WELL. WE EXPECTED THIS TO GET EVEN MORE HEIGHTENED AS THE DAYS GO BY BECAUSE THE OPENING CEREMONY IS IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ROAMING THE STREETS. WHEN WE LANDED AT THE AIRPORT, THERE WERE FIVE OR SIX POLICE OFFICERS WITH WHAT LOOKED TO BE CYBER RIVALS, *SNIPER RIFLES. IN THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE THEMSELVES, THEIR OLYMPIANS DON'T FEEL THAT HEAVY PRESENCE. THEY FEEL QUITE RELAXED AND QUITE AT HOME. WELL, THAT'S GOOD. TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IS FIRST ON THE AGENDA FOR NZ. THE SEVENS AND THE FOOTBALL STARS ARE PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT AWAY. THE NEW ZEALAND MEN'S SEVENS TEAM IS UP FIRST, JAPAN AND THEN SOUTH AFRICA ON DAY ONE. THE GAME IS QUITE IMPORTANT TO GET A GAUGE ON WHERE THEY ARE HEADING AND WHERE THEY ARE SITTING IN TERMS OF THIS TOURNAMENT. I RECOMMENDED EITHER WIN GOLD ALL THEY COULD GET AS LOW AS SEVENTH OR EIGHTH. IT'S A REALLY TOUCH AND GO SORT OF THING FOR THAT MEN'S SEVENS TEAM. THEY REALLY GOOD AND CAN WIN GOLD, BUT THE STRENGTH OF THAT COMPETITION IS THAT THEY CAN BE BEATEN IN THE QUARTER-FINALS. I BELIEVE THE FOOTBALL FERNS HAVE PUB IN NEW GUINEA, BUT BEAR IN MIND THAT IS BEFORE THE OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH IS OF COURSE ON SATURDAY MORNING NEW ZEALAND TIME, SO IF YOU ARE SETTING YOUR ALARM TO WATCH SPORT, MAKE SURE IT'S BEFORE THE OPENING CEREMONY. THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF TALK HERE ABOUT WHO WE ARE PACKING TO BE THE FLAG BEARER. WHAT IS THE PROCESS BEHIND THAT AND WHO ARE YOU GUYS PICKING? I RECKON LUCA JONES MIGHT BE A GOOD OPTION FOR A FLAG BEARER. THAT'S A GOOD SHOUT. IT COMES DOWN TO A LOT OF THINGS ` RESPECT INSIDE THE TEAM, LONGEVITY AS WELL, WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THE SILVER FERN, THAT THING. IT COMES DOWN TO THE AVAILABILITY ` MANY DON'T ARRIVE UNTIL IS CLOSE TO THAT EVENT AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN, SO I THINK THEY WILL HAVE A MAN AND A WOMAN, SO I THINK LUCA JONES IS A GREAT SHOUT, IN JONES' FIFTH GAMES. BRILLIANT. I THINK IN TERMS OF OUR MEDAL CHANCES, WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? I'VE BEEN SITTING ON THE PLANE, DEVISING A STORY FOR THE 6 PM NEWS. I HAVEN'T QUITE FIGURED OUT THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT I DON'T THINK NEW ZEALAND WILL WIN QUITE AS MANY MEDALS HAS WEEDED IN TOKYO, BUT I STILL THINK WE WILL WIN AS MANY GOLD MEDALS AS WE DID IN TOKYO. I DON'T THINK ACROSS THE BOARD IT WILL BE QUITE AS SUCCESSFUL. HAVING NOT CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS, YOU CAN KIND OF NEVER TELL. THAT'S WHAT I'M EXCITED FOR IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. HAVE YOU GUYS MANAGED TO LOOK AT THE TEAM VILLAGE? MATE, I ONLY ARRI VED FIVE HOURS AGO! WE HAVEN'T YET, BUT THAT IS A REAL CURIOSITY POINT ABOUT WHAT KIND OF LAYOUT IT IS. I'VE HEARD IT FEELS A LOT MORE COMPACT THAN IT ACTUALLY IS, AND THAT THE BEDS ARE A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE, IT'S QUITE HOT SO THEY WERE GIVEN VERY SMALL FANS, MUCH TO THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT. I THINK YOU'RE HEAR MORE ON HENRY'S STORY. BUT WE HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING AND OUR HOTELM SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE ATHLETES. GO AND GET SOME SLEEP, GUY. WE WILL SEE YOU GUYS THIS WEEK. I RECKON MALE, FEMALE. THE CAPTAIN OF THE SEVENS TEAM LAST TIME, WE THOUGHT MAYBE PORTIA WOODMAN-WICKLIFFE. OUR MOST DECORATED WOMANS RUGBY PLAYER OF ALL TIME. WHO WAS THE ONE THAT GUY MENTIONED? AARON JAKE. HOW DO THEY PICK? AVAILABILITY, SUCCESS. SURELY THEY PUT IT OUT TO THEIR PEERS? I THINK IT'S THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. THEY WILL KNOW, AND THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN FOR A BIT BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE SPOKEN POTENTIALLY TO THEIR FAMILIES, IF THEY TRUST THEIR FAMILIES TO KEEP QUIET. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AS YOUR FLAG BEARERS? ME U TONU MAI ` WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK WITH YOUR 6.30 NEWS. PLUS, HE'S BACK FROM A WEEK OF LEAVE, SO WHY HAS THE PRIME MINISTER SACKED THE HEALTH NZ BOARD ON HIS RETURN? HE JOINS US AFTER 7 O'CLOCK. # (POP ROCK MUSIC) (UPBEAT MUSIC) Ready! (BOTH CHEER) (LAUGHS) VOICEOVER: Small steps can help you achieve your goals. Get your money one step ahead with ASB. Someone left the fridge door open again. Someone keeps leaving the TV on. Someone's been using a lot of hot water. VOICEOVER: Track your home's energy usage with the Genesis Energy IQ app. Big Save's Stock Liquidation Sale has nothing to do with liquid, but it does have a lot to do with significant discounts and impressive cost cutting on high-quality furniture. So let these savings flow over you like liquid. Only at Big Save. THE FORMER CHAIR OF HEALTH NEW ZEALAND IS CRITICISING THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE SECTOR, FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BOARD'S TERMINATION. THE GOVERNMENT'S SACKED THE HEALTH NZ BOARD, REPLACING IT WITH A COMMISSIONER AND BLAMING A 'SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION' IN THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. MINISTER SHANE RETI SAYS THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY OVERSPENDING AROUND $130 MILLION EVERY MONTH. FORMER CHAIR ROB CAMPBELL SAYS INTERVENTION HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME. THERE WAS A DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LEADERSHIP AND THE FRONT LINE, IF YOU LIKE, OF HEALTH SERVICES. BUT THE CLEAR EFFORT HAS BEEN TO TRY AND GET OVER THAT. WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT NOT ENOUGH, THAT'S CLEAR. I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH DONE IN TE WHATU ORA OR IN THE WIDER HEALTH SYSTEM TO MAKE ANYONE HAPPY ABOUT WHERE WE'RE UP TO. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS HEALTH NEW ZEALAND WAS HEADING FOR A $1.4 BILLION OPERATING DEFICIT BY THE END OF THE 2024-25 FINANCIAL YEAR. A LARGE FIRE NEAR TWIZEL CONTINUES TO BURN. FOUR PROPERTIES WERE EVACUATED NEAR LAKE PUKAKI, WHERE THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY BURNING THROUGH GRASS. A HELICOPTER WILL BE SENT OUT AT FIRST LIGHT TO INSPECT THE BLAZE. A COMMUNITY MEETING IS BEING HELD AT AROUND 7 THIS MORNING FOR THOSE AFFECTED. STATE HIGHWAY 80 REMAINS CLOSED. U.S. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HAS MADE HER FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE JOE BIDEN DROPPED OUT FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. HARRIS HAS BEEN WIDELY ENDORSED AS BIDEN'S MOST LIKELY SUCCESSOR TO TAKE ON DONALD TRUMP IN NOVEMBER. IN A SPEECH AT THE WHITE HOUSE, HARRIS THANKED BIDEN FOR HIS SERVICE AND PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS LEGACY. I AM FIRST-HAND WITNESS THAT EVERYDAY, OUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FIGHTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WE ARE DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR NATION. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DELEGATES WILL OFFICIALLY NOMINATE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE PARTY'S CONVENTION NEXT MONTH. THE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE HAS ADMITTED THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONALD TRUMP WAS THE AGENCY'S BIGGEST FAILURE IN DECADES. QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED OVER HOW A GUNMAN MANAGED TO GET SO CLOSE TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT AT HIS PENNSYLVANIA RALLY. IN A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, DIRECTOR KELLY CHEATLE TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY LAPSES AND PLEDGED ACTION TO ENSURE THERE WOULD NOT BE A REPEAT. IT COMES AFTER THE AGENCY ADMITTED IT HAD PREVIOUSLY DENIED THE TRUMP TEAM'S REQUESTS FOR EXTRA SECURITY RESOURCES. A GUNMAN HAS KILLED SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER, AT A NURSING HOME IN CROATIA. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN THE TOWN OF DARUVAR IN THE COUNTRY'S NORTH WEST. THE GUNMAN FLED THE SCENE BUT WAS LATER ARRESTED AT A NEARBY CAFE. ANOTHER SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT, WITH FOUR STILL IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. TO SPORT, AND EXCITEMENT LEVELS ARE BUILDING FOR THE NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC TEAM IN PARIS. THE RUGBY SEVENS TEAMS WERE SOME OF THE FIRST ATHLETES TO CHECK INTO THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE, WITH AROUND 60 NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES NOW SETTLED IN. IT'S BEEN A HUGE BUZZ, WALKING INTO THE VILLAGE. IT WAS A LITTLE BIT QUIETER WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED, BUT NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING INTO THE FIRST WEEK, IT HAS BEEN CRAZY SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND TRYING TO GUESS WHAT ATHLETE OR WHAT SPORT THEY PLAY. BUT IT'S BEEN A REALLY COOL, ESPECIALLY SEEING THE REACTIONS OF THE GIRLS THAT IT'S THE FIRST TIME. IT'S BEEN REALLY SPECIAL. THE MEN'S SEVENS TEAM WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND TEAMS TO COMPETE IN PARIS, KICKING OFF THEIR CAMPAIGN TOMORROW NIGHT. AND FINALLY, YOU CAN NOW SEND HOME A SMELL OF FRANCE'S FAMOUS PASTRY CULTURE IN THE MAIL. A COMMEMORATIVE SCRATCH AND SNIFF STAMP HAS BEEN RELEASED SHOWING THE COUNTRY'S ICONIC BAGUETTE WITH THE SCENT OF A PARISIAN BAKERY. OLYMPIC VISITORS CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON THE STAMP FOR JUST $3.50. BUT BUYER BEWARE ` SOME TOURISTS REPORT ONLY SMELLING PAPER. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. 15 DEGREES FOR YOU. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY ` NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, BUT DO EXPECT TO SEE THE SUN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HAMILTON, THE MORNING SHOWER WILL CLEAR FOR YOU LATER ON. TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY FOR YOU. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. 15 THE HIGH FOR WHANGANUI. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. NELSON AND BLENHEIM, YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THAT SUNSHINE LATER ON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. 11 DEGREES FOR YOU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. IT IS LOOKING MUCH BETTER ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE RIGHT IN. LISA CARRINGTON IS THE PICK FOR THE FLAG BEARER. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING YOU HOW YOUR PACKERS TO CARRY THE FLAG INTO THE OLYMPIC CEREMONY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LISA, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE IS A STICKLER FOR KEEPING TO HER SCHEDULE. SO SHE WILL NOT GO OVER IT. SHE WILL NOT GO UNDER IT. WHATEVER IS PRESCRIBED, THAT IS AT. WHILE WE MIGHT GO, CANOEING DOES NOT START FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS OR WHATEVER IT IS, BUT REMEMBER, SHE IS IN MULTIPLE EVENTS. IT IS A CUMULATIVE EFFECT. YOU HAVE TO STAND IN PENS FOUR HOURS BEFORE YOU GO OUT. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO RUN FOR A WHILE. AND THE TEAM IN PARIS, THEY ARE PICKING LUUKA JONES AND AARON GATE. EMMA TWIGG. LET US KNOW WHO YOUR PICK IS. UP NEXT ` THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE ON U.S. POLITICS AS VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS LOOKS SET TO BE THE CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER TO TAKE OVER FROM JOE BIDEN AS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE. BUT IS SHE A SHOE-IN? OR ARE THERE ANY OTHER WORTHY CONTENDERS, AND WHO ARE THEY? # HONEY, HONEY. # HONEY, HONEY. IT IS 6:40. U.S. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE LIKELY SUCCESSOR TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOMINATION AFTER JOE BIDEN ABANDONED HIS RE-ELECTION BID. PRESIDENT BIDEN'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE CAME AMID MOUNTING PRESSURE WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY TO STEP ASIDE FOR ANOTHER, PERHAPS YOUNGER, PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL. AND WHILE HE'S THROWN HIS SUPPORT BEHIND HARRIS, IT ISN'T A DONE DEAL FOR THE DEMOCRATS YET. LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION DAY, AND DEMOCRATS ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. MR PRESIDENT, HOW DO YOU FEEL? HOW DO YOU FEEL? HOW DO YOU FEEL? AFTER JOE BIDEN'S NOT-SO-SHOCK WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, THE PARTY IS LOOKING FOR A NEW CANDIDATE. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE TOP CONTENDER... WE BEAT DONALD TRUMP ONCE, AND WE'RE GON' BEAT HIM AGAIN. ...WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF BIDEN HIMSELF. THAT'S A HUGE HEAD START. SHE'S GOT THESE PROMINENT ENDORSEMENTS. SHE'S ALSO BEEN THE PERSON SITTING IN THE WHITE HOUSE NEXT TO THE PRESIDENT DOING THE JOB. SO I THINK SHE'S REALLY WELL SITUATED TO BE THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE WE COULD HAVE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ONLY A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION. BEFORE HE DROPPED OUT, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAD SECURED A MAJORITY OF WHAT ARE KNOWN AS PARTY DELEGATES AT THE STATE PRIMARIES. THESE ARE THE THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS THAT WOULD HAVE VOTED BIDEN IN AS THE OFFICIAL PARTY NOMINEE COME THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN AUGUST BECAUSE HE STEPPED DOWN, THAT MEANS THAT HIS DELEGATES, THOSE WHO WOULD ULTIMATELY SELECT HIM AT THE CONVENTION, ARE NOW FREE TO GO TO SELECT ANOTHER AND VOTE FOR ANOTHER CANDIDATE. WHICH LEAVES THEM WITH A CHOICE. HE HAS OBVIOUSLY ENDORSED HARRIS, ENCOURAGING ALL OF HIS DELEGATES TO THEN SUPPORT HER, BUT IT IS TRUE THAT SOMEBODY ELSE COULD DECIDE THAT THEY WANNA RUN. THEY COULD PUT THEIR NAME INTO NOMINATION AT THE CONVENTION, AND THEY COULD EARN SOME OF THOSE DELEGATES. BUT BIDEN'S BACKING IS HUGE, AND SHE WILL INHERIT THE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN AND ITS FUNDS. SHE'LL GO FORTH WITH THE FINANCES, WHICH IS HUGE IN OUR SYSTEM, RIGHT? SHE NOW GETS THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO HER, BECAUSE IT'S THE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL NOW BECOME THE HARRIS-WHOEVER CAMPAIGN. BUT WHILE I MAY BE THE FIRST WOMAN IN THIS OFFICE, I WILL NOT BE THE LAST. IT'S NOT A HOME RUN FOR HARRIS JUST YET. WITH THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION JUST A MONTH AWAY, THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME FOR CHALLENGERS TO EMERGE. FOR MORE, I'M JOINED NOW BY POLITICAL ANALYST JEFF GREENFIELD. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. ALWAYS WANTED TO BE THERE, SO I WILL BE HERE VIRTUALLY. GREAT TO HAVE YOU. THE FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS ENDORSED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS? IT IS A DONE DEAL. THERE ARE NO OTHER CONTENDERS, EXCEPT FOR ONE WHO IS A LIFE COACH FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ASTEROID BELT. THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A CONTEST. THIS THING WILL BE WRAPPED UP IN TERMS OF COUNTING DELEGATES, POSSIBLY BY TOMORROW OR WEDNESDAY. THOSE OF US OF A CERTAIN AGE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE A DRAMATIC CONTESTED CONVENTION, AND WE THOUGHT, WELL, THEY BE THIS WOULD BE AN OPEN CONVENTION, MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE COMPETITORS MAKING SPEECHES, MAYBE THERE WOULD BE AN APPRENTICE BAKE OFF OR SOMETHING. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SHE IS GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. WHAT MAKES YOU SO CONFIDENT? THERE ARE OTHER NAMES BEING BANDIED ABOUT. ALL OF THE PEOPLE HAVE ENDORSED HARRIS. AS HAS VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER PERSON MENTIONED AS A POSSIBLE CONTENDER. ARE THERE NO OTHER WORTHY CONTENDERS? TRUST ME ON THIS, THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLOSED DEAL. NONE OF THESE POSSIBILITIES IS LOOKING TO 2028 AND ARE GOING TO WANT TO UPSET THINGS. THEY WILL NOT WANT TO CHALLENGE THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT WITH THE MOST LOYAL BASE. AND SHE IS THERE. WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS THAT WHILE YOU CAN MAKE THIS WEST WING DRAMATIC HOLLYWOOD FACE OF, I WILL JUST SAY IT AGAIN, THIS IS DONE. WE HAVE BEEN HEARING KAMALA HARRIS ACTUALLY HAS WORSE POLLING NUMBERS THAN BIDEN. WHY DO YOU THINK SHE IS A GOOD CHOICE? FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A QUESTION OF WHO ELSE YOU HAVE GOT. THE LOWER POLE NUMBER SHE HAS, IN MY VIEW, LINKED TO THE FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS HISTORICALLY LOW POLL NUMBERS. SHE IS A KNOWN QUANTITY. THERE IS SOME HESITANCY ABOUT SOME DEMOCRATS BECAUSE IN 2020 WHEN SHE RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN THE PRIME AREAS, SHE WAS NOT A GOOD CAMPAIGNER. SHE NEVER MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST TEST. SHE WAS BETTER IN THE FALL OF 2020 IS THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE. SHE CERTAINLY MAKES A VERY DRAMATIC CONTRAST TO DONALD TRUMP ON THE AGE ISSUE. THE SECOND PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT SHE CAN GALVANISE SOME OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO ARE BACKING AWAY FROM BIDEN. BIDEN IS LOSING SUPPORT AMONG BLACKS AND YOUNG PEOPLE, HISPANICS, EVEN YOUNG WOMEN. IF A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE CANNOT GET SOMETHING NUMBERS ON THOSE CANDIDACIES, I THINK SHE HAS THE ABILITY TO BRING IT BACK. SHE CAN USE THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN RAISED FOR BIDEN, AND I THINK MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. THE BIG DONORS HAVE ALREADY STARTED FLOODING HER CAMPAIGN WITH CHECKS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ALTERNATIVES, PARTICULARLY THE IDEA OF A BETTER CONTESTED DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION THAT WILL LEAVE SOME PEOPLE VERY RESENTFUL. SHE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE TO PERFORM AS THE CANDIDATE OF A UNIFIED PARTY. I DO THINK THERE ARE ISSUES HERE. WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER SHE IS GOING TO BE A STAR ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OR STUMBLE AS SHE DID FOUR YEARS AGO. BUT GIVEN THE ALTERNATIVES, THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAD TO DO. WHAT WILL HER TEAM BE DOING RIGHT NOW IN ORDER TO GET HER READY? SAY AGAIN, PLEASE. WHAT WILL HER TEAM BE DOING RIGHT NOW TO GET KAMALA HARRIS READY WISH TO MARK? I THINK WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS THEY HAVE GOT TO FORMULATE AND CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE TERMS A FEW BASIC POINTS. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF WHICH, AND IT IS STILL THE DEMOCRATS BEST HOPE, IS TO DEFINE AND REMIND PEOPLE OF WHY THEY DID NOT LIKE DONALD TRUMP. AND I THINK SHE WAS A FORMER PROSECUTOR. SHE WAS A DISTRICT ATTORNEY. SHE WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CALIFORNIA, AND I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO PREP AND YOUR BROTHER KATE THAT USE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP, NOT IN THE CRIMINAL COURT, BUT IN THE POLITICAL ARENA. SHE WANTS TO CALL DONALD TRUMP ARE ON THE MANY LIABILITIES THAT HE HAS. EVEN WHEN BIDEN STUMBLE, AND THAT IS A POLITE WORK, DURING THE DEBATE, YOU DID NOT SEE TRUMP'S NUMBERS GO UP. IF I CAN SAY THIS, DANIEL, THE DEMOCRATS BEST ARGUMENT IS THAT THEY MIGHT BE HESITANT TO MAKE. FOLKS, YOU DID NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR EITHER BIDEN OR TRUMP. NOW YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP? MORE BROADLY, HOW WILL THEY PIVOT? IT DEPENDS WHO YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. SOME OF THE MORE, WHAT SHALL I PUT IT, ZEALOUS REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY ATTACKING HER FOR HER PERSONAL LIFE. THEY ARE CALLING HER A DEI HIRE. THEY ARE SUGGESTING THE ONLY REASON SHE IS THERE IS BECAUSE SHE IS A BLACK WOMAN. I THINK THE OTHER ARGUMENT WILL BE THAT SHE BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND THEY ARE GOING TO PARTICULARLY HIT HER ON IMMIGRATION. SHE WAS TASKED BY THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN THAT, AND THE BORDER IS NOT SECURE. AND PEOPLE ARE PRETTY HOSTILE TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH ILLEGAL AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION OVER THE YEARS. THAT AND INFLATION WILL BE THE TWO BIG ISSUES THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO USE AGAINST BIDEN, OTHER THAN HIS AGE, AND THEY WILL USE THEM AGAINST KAMALA HARRIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. GREAT TO TALK TO YOU. PLEASURE. E HAERE AKE NEI ` ARE THESE PARKING METRES AN EYE SORE? AUCKLAND'S DEVONPORT RESIDENTS SAY PLANS TO INTRODUCE THEM WOULD RUIN THE SEASIDE VIEW. WE'LL HEAR FROM A RESIDENTS GROUP. (UPBEAT MUSIC) BUT A PROPOSED PLAN TO INTRODUCE THEM TO AUCKLAND'S DEVONPORT HAS LEFT THEIR HERITAGE GROUP UNIMPRESSED. THEY BELIEVE THE NEW VENTURE WILL SPOIL THE CHARM OF THE SEASIDE TOWN. WE SPOKE WITH LOCALS TO HEAR WHAT THEY THINK. WELL, YET AGAIN, ANOTHER A.T. BALLS UP. WELL, I'VE HAD THREE BUSINESSES HERE, AND EVERY TIME AUCKLAND TRANSPORT DO SOMETHING IN DEVONPORT, THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO TAKE AWAY CAR PARKS. IT'S NOT NECESSARY ` IT'S JUST NICE, SMALL VILLAGE. WE DON'T NEED IT. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE HAPPENING, TO BE FAIR. I WOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON THE BUSINESSES, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. I MEAN, WE DON'T ACTUALLY` IT IS SELDOM THAT YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM PARKING HERE. DEVONPORT HERITAGE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON TRISH DEANS JOINS US NOW. WE HAVE HEARD WHAT THE LOCALS HAD TO SAY. WHAT IS YOUR ARGUMENT? YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET AND YOU SEE THOSE 1880S, 1890S BUILDINGS. THAT YOU TURN TOWARDS THE SEASIDE ` MOST OF YOU WILL KNOW THE PLAYGROUND AND WINTER RESERVE. YOU MIGHT JUST BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE BEAUTY OF THAT, THE VISTA OF IT. AKL COUNCIL HAS RULES ABOUT OUTSTANDING NATURAL FEATURES. HISTORICALLY, THERE ARE SO MUCH THERE, THE FIRST LANDING OF KUPE OF TAINUI, ON TORPEDO BAY, EVIDENCE OF MOA, AND IN RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS, A MOA WAS FOUND THAT NOBODY KNEW HAD EXISTED. WE HAD BUILDINGS THAT WERE THERE FOR THE NAVY DURING THE RUSSIAN SCARE. WE HAVE IT ALL ON THAT WONDERFUL WALKWAY. SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS REALLY IT IS UGLY AND IT WILL SPOIL THE LOOK. TOO MUCH SIGNAGE, UNNECESSARY BITS AND PIECES TELLING YOU HOW TO PARK, WHERE TO PARK, AND IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF AN AREA. HOW MANY PARKING METRES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? 6-10? FIVE. OK. WHATEVER IT IS THAT AUCKLAND TRANSPORT DO, THEY COME IN AND SPOIL WHAT IS THERE, AND AS HE HEARD FROM THE LOCALS, WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. IS PARKING AN ISSUE IN DEVONPORT? WHAT YOU HAVE GOT TO UNDERSTAND IS AUCKLAND TRANSPORT IS IMPLEMENTING A CAR PARKING PLAN TO CATCH UP TO TOURISTS. *CATCH UP COMMUTERS LECTURE COULD ADD UP TO $8200 A WEEK FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO COME AND THEN USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. WE ARE JUST SAYING NO, LEAVE IT ALONE. MONEY OFF THE PARKING METRES, IF THAT WAS TO BE PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY, WOULD THAT BE GOOD? WE JUST WANT THE MONEY PUT INTO LAKE ROAD. SO IF THEY USED THAT PROFIT TO IMPROVE LAKE ROAD... THEY HAVE BEEN CANCELLING THAT SINCE 2016, SO I DON'T HAVE FAITH IN IT. AUCKLAND TRANSPORT SAYS IT WILL IMPROVE PARKING AVAILABILITY AND TURNOVER FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES. NO, WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM A MALL, WHERE YOU CAN GO AND PARK. WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT AVAILABILITY. THEY DON'T PAY FOR THEIR PARKING ` THAT WOULD BE WHAT THE RETAILERS REALLY WANT. TO KNOW HOW MUCH AUCKLAND TRANSPORT IS EXPECTING THAT PROFIT? HUNDRED AND *182,000. AND IT WON'T BE PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. GIVE ME A GAUGE OF THE FEELING. 80 TO 90% OF THE COMMUNITY ARE NOT ON THIS.� IF ONE TALKS TO ME, EVERYONE TALKS TO EACH OTHER. WE WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN. WE REACHED OUT TO AUCKLAND TRANSPORT AND GROUP MANAGER OF PARKING SERVICES JOHN STRAWBRIDGE GOT BACK TO US IN A STATEMENT ` HE SAYS THEY FULLY APPRECIATE THE SPECIAL CHARACTER OF THE AREA AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BOTH LOCALS AND VISITORS. TRISH IS SAYING, NO THEY DON'T. THEY'RE STILL ASSESSING ALL COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSAL. I DO HOPE THEY TAKE ON THAT FEEDBACK. AT, CAN THEY COME SPEAK TO YOU? LOVE IT, TRISH. HOW THEN IS IT IS FORECAST TO SPEND $1.4 MILLION. IN RESPONSE, THEY SACKED THE BOARD. WILL ASK THE PRIME MINISTER SHORTLY WHO IS RIGHT. FUNERAL COSTS HAVE RAPIDLY ESCALATED, MANY FAMILIES ARE HAVING TO AMEND BURIAL AND CREMATION PLANS FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE FUNERAL ASSOCIATION ABOUT HOW TO GIVE SOMEONE THE SAID OPERATORS OF. AND WE ARE TAKING YOU BACK TO TUDOR TIMES. THIS HOUSES FOR SALE, AND WE ARE GIVING YOU A TOUR AND SAY THAT HISTORIC MENTION. BUT FOR NOW, HERE IS THE NEWS. THE FORMER CHAIR OF HEALTH NEW ZEALAND IS BLAMING THE MINISTRY FOR MISMANAGEMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO SACK THE BOARD. THE BOARD HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A COMMISSIONER AFTER CONCERNS OF 'OVERSIGHT, OVERSPEND AND A SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION' IN ITS FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON SAYS THE RESTRUCTURE IS ABOUT MANAGEMENT RATHER THAN FUNDING. BUT FORMER CHAIR ROB CAMPBELL SAYS THE BOARD ISN'T RELEVANT TO THE MISMANAGEMENT; IT'S AT A SENIOR LEVEL. THE MINISTRY PRESIDED OVER THIS HEALTH SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME. IT EFFECTIVELY WROTE THE NEW SYSTEM. IT EFFECTIVELY DROVE THE RESOURCES FOR THE NEW SYSTEM. THE MINISTER SETS THE FUNDING FOR THE NEW SYSTEM. AND YET THEY SAIL ON THROUGH ALL OF THIS. AND THEY'RE NOW SOMEHOW GOING TO BE ALONGSIDE THE COMMISSIONER, THE SAVIOURS OF THE SYSTEM. RECENTLY APPOINTED BOARD CHAIR LESTER WILL BE THE NEW COMMISSIONER. U.S. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HAS MADE HER FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE JOE BIDEN'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE. AS THE ONLY DECLARED DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE SO FAR, SHE APPEARS POISED TO CLINCH THE PARTY NOMINATION. THE BBC'S SARAH SMITH HAS MORE. (BAND PLAYS UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC) A GROUP OF ATHLETIC CHAMPIONS VISITING THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT USUALLY BROADCAST LIVE ON TV, BUT KAMALA HARRIS, WHO'S WELCOMING THEM, IS NOW THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION. NOW THAT JOE BIDEN HAS STEPPED ASIDE AND ENDORSED HER. OUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FIGHTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND WE ARE DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR NATION. JOE BIDEN HAD NEVER LOOKED MORE FRAIL OR ELDERLY THAN THE LAST TIME WE SAW HIM, GOING HOME TO RECOVER FROM COVID AND TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF HIS LIFE. KAMALA HARRIS GOT A CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT ON SUNDAY MORNING SAYING HE WAS GOING, AND HE HOPED SHE'D TAKE OVER. THIS RACE WILL BE DECIDED BY YOU. THE POLITICAL MOMENTUM THAT SWUNG BEHIND HER THEN CAME SO FAST IT WOULD GIVE YOU WHIPLASH, WITH MANY OF THE PARTY'S NAMES RUSHING TO ENDORSE HER. HILLARY CLINTON POSTED AN OLD PHOTOGRAPH TOGETHER, POSSIBLE CANDIDATES LIKE JOSH SHAPIRO, GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA, SAID HE'LL DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO HELP ELECT KAMALA HARRIS. CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAID SHE'D LEAD THE COUNTRY IN A HEALTHIER DIRECTION. KAMALA WAS IN ON IT. REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY ATTACKING HER, ACCUSING HER OF COVERING UP FOR JOE BIDEN'S HEALTH PROBLEMS. BUT KAMALA KNEW JOE COULDN'T DO THE JOB, SO SHE DID IT. LOOK WHAT SHE GOT DONE ` A BORDER INVASION, RUNAWAY INFLATION. THERE ARE NOW JUST FOUR WEEKS FOR KAMALA HARRIS TO SECURE HER PLACE AS HER PARTY'S CANDIDATE AND TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO VOTERS ON HER OWN TERMS. AND U.S. POLITICAL ANALYST JEFF GREENFIELD SAYS WITH NANCY PELOSI'S ENDORSEMENT, HARRIS' NOMINATION IS A DONE DEAL. THIS THING WILL BE WRAPPED UP IN TERMS OF COUNTING DELEGATES POSSIBLY BY TOMORROW OR WEDNESDAY. SO THOSE OF US OF A CERTAIN AGE WHO ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE A DRAMATIC CONTESTED CONVENTION AND THOUGHT, 'WELL, MAYBE THIS WOULD BE 'AN OPEN CONVENTION, MAYBE THEY'D HAVE COMPETITORS MAKING SPEECHES, 'MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE A KIND OF APPRENTICE BAKE-OFF OR SOMETHING.' NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SHE IS GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. A SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES NATIONWIDE IS PROMPTING A CALL TO GET PROTECTED. A BRIEFING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION CENTRE HAS HIGHLIGHTED LOW IMMUNISATION RATES, WITH ONLY HALF OF PREGNANT WOMEN BETWEEN DECEMBER 2023 AND FEBRUARY 2024 RECEIVING THE FOUR IMMUNISATIONS NEEDED. THE FIGURE DROPPING TO LESS THAN A THIRD FOR MAORI. WHOOPING COUGH IS A HIGHLY INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE WITH LIMITED TREATMENT OPTIONS ONCE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, WITH AROUND HALF OF BABIES UNDER 1 YEAR OLD DIAGNOSED ARE HOSPITALISED. NEW ZEALAND PADDLER LUUKA JONES IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CHALLENGE AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS. THE RIO SILVER MEDALLIST IN THE CANOE SLALOM, JONES WILL THIS TIME LINE UP IN THE KAYAK CROSS, WHICH IS MAKING ITS OLYMPIC DEBUT. FOR US KIWIS, IT KINDA BRINGS US BACK TO OUR ROOTS OF JUST, YOU KNOW, PLAYING AROUND IN PLASTIC BOATS ON THE RIVER. IT'S VERY KIND OF EXTREME SPORT COMPARED WITH SLALOM. YOU KNOW, CLASSIC SLALOM, YOU STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE, IT'S JUST YOU ON THE COURSE, WHEREAS KAYAK CROSS, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LAUNCHING OFF A RAMP, THERE'S FOUR OF YOU, YOU'RE FIGHTING, YOU'RE SMASHING INTO EACH OTHER, BASICALLY. JONES IS SET TO BECOME JUST THE THIRD FEMALE ATHLETE TO REPRESENT NEW ZEALAND AT FIVE OLYMPIC GAMES. AND THE TRICKLE OF ATHLETES ARRIVING IN PARIS IS TURNING INTO A STEADY STREAM. MORE OLYMPIANS HAVE ARRIVED IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL AND ARE CHECKING INTO THE ATHLETES VILLAGE. DESPITE THE BUZZ OF THE EVENT, SOME BRINGING A FEW HOME COMFORTS TO KEEP THEMSELVES GROUNDED. I BOUGHT MY PILLOW FROM HOME, I BOUGHT A LITTLE CANDLE FROM HOME, JUST TRY AND MAKE IT FEEL A BIT MORE HOME-LIKE AND NOT A KIND OF, YEAH, SEPARATE, UM... VERY STRICT OLYMPIC VILLAGE. SO TRYING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT COMFY. THE FIRST COMPETITION GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW NIGHT AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S OPENING CEREMONY. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY ` NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY DAY FOR YOU. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. KAIKOURA, A WINDY MORNING FOR YOU, 14 IS YOUR HIGH, NELSON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR OAMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. THAT CLOUD WILL CLEAR FOR MOST OF YOU. EXPECT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR MILFORD SOUND AND DUNEDIN. THE HEALTH NZ BOARD HAS BEEN SACKED BY THE GOVERNMENT, ACCUSED OF FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT AND RUNNING THE ENTITY AT A LOSS OF $130 MILLION A MONTH. LESTER LEVY, WHO JUST RECENTLY BECAME THE CHAIR, WILL BECOME THE SOLE COMMISSIONER. PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON JOINS ME FOR MORE THIS MORNING. MORENA, PM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. ARE YOU RESTED AFTER YOUR WEEK OFF? I GOT SOME READING AND, WHICH HAS BEEN LOVELY. BEEN A PRETTY FULL ON COUPLE OF YEARS. GREAT END TO A VISIT TO THE U.S. THINGS ARE PRETTY HECTIC AS WELL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOSE HEALTH CHANGES THAT WERE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY. WHAT ONE COMMISSIONER DO THAT IS DIFFERENT TO A BOARD? AND ONE WOULD ARGUE THAT THAT BOARDS DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE 2022 HEALTH REFORMS. WHAT WILL COMMISSIONER DO DIFFERENTLY? IF YOU JUST TAKE A STEP BACK, BOIL VIEWERS, WE WANT TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR NZ. WE HAVE FIVE KEY HEALTH OUTCOMES, BUT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE ORGANISATION IS A HIGH PERFORMING ONE. MAY HAVE JUGGLED TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCES, WITH LEVELS OF BUREAUCRACY AND SO ALL WE'RE DOING HERE IS SAYING, LOOK, IT NEEDS A RESET AND BY PUTTING A COMMISSIONER IN CHARGE, THEY CAN MOVE WITH GREAT SPEED WITH SOME DEPUTY COMISSIONERS THAT WILL ALSO BE HIRED. DELIVERING THE OUTCOMES AND TARGETS... YOU ARE CALLING THESE CHANGES AS A RESULT OF AN OVERSPEND. IS THIS A CASE OF UNDER INVESTMENT OR UNDERFUNDING? WITH AN EXTRA $16 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, SO WE HAVE RECORD AMOUNTS OF MONEY GOING INTO HEALTH, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I PUT TAXPAYERS MONEY INTO HEALTHCARE, I AM PUTTING IT INTO HIGH-QUALITY... BUT IT WILL TAKE TIME TO FILTER DOWN. AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE PUT A COMMISSIONER AND, SO THEY CAN MOVE WITH GREAT SPEED. IN SAYING THAT, HEALTH NZ WAS ALREADY TAKING MEASURES TO LIMIT SPENDING. PUBLIC HOSPITALS WERE TOLD TO CUT BACK AROUND A $105 MILLION BY JULY; THAT INCLUDED ROLES NOT BEING FILLED. IS THAT IS NOT A SIGN OF UNDERFUNDING? NO, THIS IS A RECORD INVESTMENT WE HAVE HERE. THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY TO YOU AS WE HAVE A MASSIVE FOCUS AND DRIVE ON RECRUITING FRONT-LINE STAFF AND WHAT THIS IS ABOUT IS SAYING LOOK, THERE'S 14 LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE CEO. IF YOU ARE A DOCTOR OR NURSE, GO TALK TO THEM AND TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE WITH WHO SITS ABOVE THEM. WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE FRONT LINE. WE'VE GOT MORE NURSES IN OUR SYSTEM THAN WE EVER HAVE BEFORE. CRITICAL CARE AND SOME OF THE REGIONS, AND THAT WILL CONTINUE... I WANT TO COME BACK TO THOSE LEVELS BUT I WANT TO RAISE THIS FIRST ` FOR MY HEALTH NZ CHAIR ROB CAMPBELL WAS IN CHARGE 2021-2023. HE SPOKE TO US THIS MORNING. HE TOOK ABOUT COSTS NOT BEING THE MAIN ISSUE' IT IS ABOUT A GOOD HEALTH SYSTEM. YOU CAN'T GET A GOOD HEALTH SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE WALKING BACKWARDS ON TOBACCO CONTROL, ALCOHOL CONTROL, SPEEDS ON ROADS. WHEN YOU UNDERFUNDING THE GP SECTOR WHICH IS SO CRITICAL TO OUR SYSTEM. WHILE ALL THE EARTH'S THINGS ARE HAPPENING, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO. YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE A BETTER HEALTH SYSTEM. THEY ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE. HE SAYS THEY ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE IN TERMS OF THE FOCUS, IS HE RIGHT? (SCOFFS) I DISAGREE WITH HIM COMPLETELY. WE'RE PUTTING MORE MONEY THAN WE EVER HAD THAN BEFORE. WHAT HE IS ALLUDING TO IS THE ROLLBACK... WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE TURNING UP AT HOSPITALS NEEDING HEALTHCARE. I DISAGREE COMPLETELY. HE HAD A RESPONSIBILITY AS CHAIR OF THE HEALTH NZ BOARD, AND THEY AGREE WITH SOME OF THOSE THINGS, AROUND GIVING MAXIMUM CLARITY TO THE BOARD. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT, WE HAVE TO DELIVER AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL NZERS. THAT IS EXPERTLY MANAGED TO GET THOSE IMPROVED OUTCOMES. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE 14 LEVELS OF BUREAUCRACY BETWEEN THE TOP AND THE FRONT LINE AND THAT IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE DECISION-MAKING. YOU WANT TO REDUCE THAT, RIGHT? WHAT ARE THOSE LEVELS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT THAT WILL GET YOU TO 6, THE LEVEL YOU THINK IS ACCEPTABLE? I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WOULD SAY WE HAVE OUTSTANDING PEOPLE. BUT THEN GO TALK TO THOSE DOCTORS AND NURSES AND TALK ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET DECISIONS MADE BETWEEN TE WHATU ORA. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT HAPPENED UNDER THE LAST GOVERNMENT IS THAT THEY TOOK 20 DHBs OVER THE TOP. WE HAVE HAD A CROWN OBSERVER IN THERE SINCE WE CAME IN TO OFFICE. WE ARE MAKING SURE WE HAVE A GREAT AND EFFICIENT ORGANISATION WHICH GETS US CLOSET OF THE FRONTLINE IN CLOSE TO THE REGIONS AND ACTUALLY, WE CAN ADAPT OUR RESEARCHERS. I WANT TO MOVE ON... ...ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. WE ASKED THE MINISTER'S OFFICE FOR THE NUMBERS, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TOGETHER THAT. WHICH FEELS A BIT ODD CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU POINTED AT. FOR PEOPLE WATCHING THIS, WHEN WILL THE FRONTLINE SERVICES, PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING HEALTHCARE, SEE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE MADE TO THE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY WILL GET? WHAT IS THE TIMELINE" WE TALKED ABOUT, AND OPPOSITION, IT'S ABOUT WORKFORCE ` HIRING NURSES. THE SECOND THING HAS BEEN ABOUT THE FUNDING. PLUS THE NEW CANCER DRUGS ARE PUT IN PLACE OF IMAC. WE HAVE FIVE CLEAR HEALTH OUTCOME TARGETS THAT OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE ABOUT, SO WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT ORGANISATION CAN HAVE THOSE IMPROVED OUTCOMES. IT NEEDS TO GET SORTED AND IT'S WHAT A COMMISSIONER WOULD DO. JUST TO FINISH OFF, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ABUSE IN STATE CARE REPORT. 38,000 PAGES, THREE VICTIMS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THAT REPORT. YOU ARE SET TO GIVE AN APOLOGY ON NOVEMBER 12TH. WAS THE COMMITMENT THAT THIS GOVERNMENT IS GIVING TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN? THIS IS A MASSIVE PIECE OF WORK, THE BIGGEST ENQUIRY THAT HAS HAPPENED IN HISTORY. THERE HAVE BEEN 3000 INCREDIBLE SURVIVORS TIME EXPERIENCES AND STORIES AND IT TAKES MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF COURAGE FOR THEM AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, HUGE ADMIRATION FOR THOSE PEOPLE WORKING WITH THE COMMISSION. IT IS A MASSIVE REPORT. AND IT'S QUITE HEAVY. IT'S PRETTY HARROWING AND HORRIFIC. WE ARE DETERMINED AS A GOVERNMENT, WE KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO WORK THROUGH, AND IT DESERVES A PROPER, DIGNIFIED RESPONSE. THE FIRST AGES TO SAY TO THE SURVIVORS, YOU HAVE BEEN HEARD AND THIS HAS BEEN TABLED IN PARLIAMENT FORMALLY. WE ARE DETERMINED AS A GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. THAT IS OUR DEEP, DEEP COMMITMENT TO IT. I THINK WHETHER YOU ARE LABOUR, NATIONAL, COALITION, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING HERE. NGA MIHI KI A KOE KI TE PEREMIA. KIA ORA. COMING UP ` THE TINY HAWKE'S BAY TOWN FIGHTING BACK AGAINST A BID TO ROLL IN THE POKIE MACHINES TO ITS LOCAL TAVERN. (UPBEAT MUSIC) WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. RESIDENTS OF A TINY TOWN IN HAWKE'S BAY ARE PUSHING BACK AT PLANS TO FILL ITS PUB WITH POKIE MACHINES. TENFOLD INVESTMENTS WANTS TO SHIFT 18 MACHINES INTO THE FRASERTOWN TAVERN, JUST OUT OF WAIROA. IT IS ALSO APPLYING WITH COUNCIL TO KEEP THE TAVERN OPEN AND SELLING ALCOHOL FROM 9am TO 1am, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WE'RE JOINED BY RESIDENT MARIA CAIRNS, WHO IS PETITIONING AGAINST THE MOVE, AND GENERAL MANAGER OF PROBLEM GAMBLING SERVICE TE RANGIHAEATA ORANA TRUST CATH HEALEY. MORENA KORUA. TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHY YOU FELT THE NEED TO START THIS PETITION. FRASER TOWN IS LOCATED ABOUT 8 KM OUT OF WAIROA. WE HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 260. 50% OF THAT ARE MAORI. WE HAVE LOW INCOME. WE HAVE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. AND OUR WHANAU JUST LIVE WEEK TO WEEK. WE KNOW THE EFFECTS THAT THE POKIES HAVE ON A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS. TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT. HOW WILL THESE POKIES IMPACTS THE COMMUNITY? I BELIEVE WE WILL SEE A LOT OF NEW GAMBLERS COME IN. AND IT WILL BE CAUSING CHILD POVERTY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I HAVE SEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, FINANCIAL STRAIN ON AN ALREADY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY. OUR COMMUNITY HAS LIMITED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE A LACK OF SUPPORT SERVICES THAT COME INTO FRASERTOWN. AND I SEE THIS AS ANOTHER IMPACT THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. YOU HEARD HER TALK ABOUT THE SERIOUS RISKS THAT ARE IMPOSED WITH THESE POKIES COMING IN. YOU SAY THERE IS EVEN POTENTIAL HARM. EXPLAIN THAT. THERE IS A TRUE HARM THAT IS EXPERIENCED BY OUR WHANAU, HAPU AND IWI REGARDING THE POKIES. AS MARIA HAS SAID, QUALITY OF LIFE IS DIMINISHED THROUGH ADDICTION TO THE POKIES. AND HAVING THEM IN A VERY SMALL COMMUNITY, ALONGSIDE ALCOHOL, CREATES A SPACE WHERE HIGH RISK, HIGH HARM IS DEFINITELY` WILL OCCUR. HOW MANY DAYS CURRENTLY IS THE PUB OPEN? AND WHAT IS THE CHANGE GOING TO LOOK LIKE? FROM WHAT MARIA HAS TOLD US, THE PUB IS OPEN A COUPLE OF DAYS A WEEK. IF WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVING A VENUE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 9 AM UNTIL 1 AM IN THE MORNING, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT IT CREATES A HIGH ACCESSIBILITY TO VERY, VERY HARMFUL PRODUCTS, ALCOHOL AND THE POKIES, SO THIS HIGH ACCESSIBILITY ACTUALLY USHERS IN ALL OF THESE ISSUES THAT MARIA HAS SPOKEN ABOUT. FINANCIAL DISTRESS, IT NEVER REALLY STOPS. IT PLAYS ON SOMEONE'S MIND 24 SEVEN, SO THIS WILL HAVE DEVASTATING IMPACTS FOR THE LOCAL TOWN OF FRASERTOWN AS WELL AS THE WIDER COMMUNITY. MARIA, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO COUNSEL? MY ADVICE IS REALLY JUST TO TRY AND PUT PEOPLE'S WELFARE BEFORE INDIVIDUAL PROFIT. OF A BUSINESS. LOOK AT OUR DYNAMICS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH THEY ALREADY KNOW, AND JUST TRY AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, REALLY. MARIA, I CAN SEE YOU ARE GETTING QUITE EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS. THIS REALLY DOES HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY. I CAN SEE THAT. YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN. I JUST FEEL THAT OUR MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY WILL INCREASE... OUR WHANAU WILL BE PUT DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO FINANCIAL STRESS, AND I AM WORRIED FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION, REALLY. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? THEY WILL NEVER GO AWAY. KATH, CAN YOU TALK TO US BUT WHAT HAPPENS NOW? I THINK MARIA IS DOING AN AWESOME JOB ACTIVATING HER COMMUNITY. I THINK SHE IS CALLING TO THE COUNCIL. SHE IS CALLING TO ACTUALLY UPHOLD THEIR CULTURAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY. FROM HERE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE THE ALCOHOL LICENSE THAT IS BEING PUT THROUGH. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE AND WORK ALONGSIDE MARIA AND THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THIS LICENSE DOES NOT GO THROUGH. IF IT DOES, WE WILL ENSURE THAT WE WILL KEEP OPPOSING THE POKIES IN THE TAVERN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DANIEL. IN A STATEMENT, WAIROA DISTRICT COUNCIL SAYS IT WELCOMES FEEDBACK WHICH CAN HELP COUNSELLORS MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 7.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS, IS THE HOMEOWNERSHIP DREAM BECOMING TOO UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY? WE'LL HEAR FROM A COMMUNITY HOUSING ADVOCATE AFTER 8 O'CLOCK. STAY WITH US. A LARGE FIRE CONTINUES TO BURN NEAR TWIZEL. FOUR PROPERTIES WERE EVACUATED NEAR LAKE PUKAKI LAST NIGHT, WHERE THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY BURNING THROUGH GRASS. A HELICOPTER WILL BE SENT OUT AT FIRST LIGHT TO INSPECT THE BLAZE. A COMMUNITY MEETING IS BEING HELD AT AROUND 7 THIS MORNING, FOR THOSE AFFECTED. STATE HIGHWAY 80 REMAINS CLOSED. RESIDENTS IN A SMALL HAWKE'S BAY TOWN ARE PUSHING BACK OVER A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE POKIE MACHINES TO THEIR COMMUNITY. HASTINGS COMPANY 'TENFOLD INVESTMENTS' WANTS TO SHIFT 18 MACHINES INTO THE FRASERTOWN TAVERN, JUST OUT OF WAIROA. THE COMPANY IS ALSO APPLYING TO KEEP THE TAVERN OPEN AND SELLING ALCOHOL FROM 9am UNTIL 1am, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. IT'S CURRENTLY ONLY OPEN ON THURSDAY AND SATURDAY EVENINGS. RESIDENT MARIA CAIRNS IS PETITIONING AGAINST THE MOVE, AND SAYS IT WILL BRING IN NEW GAMBLERS AND CAUSE A NUMBER OF ISSUES. CHILD POVERTY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I'VE SEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES. FINANCIAL STRAIN ON AN ALREADY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY. THE PETITION HAS JUST HIT 770 SIGNATURES, JUST SHORT OF THE 1000 GOAL, AND WILL CLOSE TOMORROW AHEAD OF THE COUNCIL DECISION ON THURSDAY. KAMALA HARRIS HAS SECURED THE BACKING OF MORE THAN HALF OF THE DELEGATES SHE NEEDS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. IT COMES SHORTLY AFTER THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS ENDORSED BY NANCY PELOSI, A HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN THE PARTY. U.S. POLITICAL ANALYST JEFF GREENFIELD SAYS HARRIS IS THE DEMOCRATS' ONLY VIABLE CANDIDATE. BUT SHE CERTAINLY MAKES A VERY DRAMATIC CONTRAST TO DONALD TRUMP ON THE AGE ISSUE. THE SECOND PART ABOUT THIS IS SHE CAN GALVANISE SOME OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO WERE BACKING AWAY FROM BIDEN. PARTY DELEGATES WILL VOTE FOR THEIR NOMINEE AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO NEXT MONTH. THE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE HAS ADMITTED THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONALD TRUMP WAS THE AGENCY'S BIGGEST FAILURE IN DECADES. QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED OVER HOW A GUNMAN MANAGED TO GET SO CLOSE TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT AT A RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA. IN A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, DIRECTOR KELLY CHEATLE TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY LAPSES, AND PLEDGED ACTION TO ENSURE THERE WOULD NOT BE A REPEAT. IT COMES AFTER THE AGENCY ADMITTED IT HAD PREVIOUSLY DENIED THE TRUMP TEAM'S REQUESTS FOR EXTRA SECURITY RESOURCES. A GUNMAN HAS KILLED SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER, AT A NURSING HOME IN CROATIA. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN THE TOWN OF DARUVAR IN THE COUNTRY'S NORTH WEST. THE GUNMAN FLED THE SCENE BUT WAS LATER ARRESTED AT A NEARBY CAFE. ANOTHER SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT, WITH FOUR STILL IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. TO SPORT, AND THE CENTRAL PULSE HAVE SECURED A HOME FINAL IN THE ANZ PREMIERSHIP, AFTER A DOMINANT PERFORMANCE OVER THE TACTIX. THE PULSE WINNING THREE OUT OF THE FOUR QUARTERS. THE HOT HAND OF YOUNG SHOOTER MARTINA SALMON HELPING THE CENTRAL SIDE TO THE 58-44 VICTORY. ...POPPING AWAY TO SALMON. THAT'S DELIGHTFUL. THE PULSE WILL HAVE THIS WEEK OFF WHILE THE TACTIX WILL HOST THE MYSTICS IN SATURDAY'S ELIMINATION FINAL. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S MAKING THEMSELVES AT HOME IN PARIS AHEAD OF THE OLYMPICS. AROUND 60 KIWI ATHLETES HAVE SO FAR ARRIVED IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL AND ARE SETTLING INTO THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE. CHEF DE MISSION NIGEL AVERY SAYS THERE'S A BUZZ IN THE AIR. THEY'RE FEELING EXCITED. THEIR TRAVEL WAS DISRUPTED TO SOME DEGREE BY THE OUTAGES AND WHATNOT, BUT, HEY, AND I THINK SOMEONE LEFT AN UNACCOMPANIED BAG, BUT THAT'S JUST TRAVEL, RIGHT? YOU JUST ROLL WITH THAT. MOST OF THEM, ON ARRIVAL, THEY GO STRAIGHT TO THE DINING HALL, HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT, CHECK THAT OUT, WHICH IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT PART, BUT NOW THEY'RE SUSSING, GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND AND JUST GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER IN THAT ENVIRONMENT PLUS OTHER TEAMS. THE FIRST NEW ZEALANDERS TO COMPETE IN PARIS WILL BE THE MEN'S FOOTBALLERS AND MEN'S RUGBY SEVENS TOMORROW NIGHT. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (GROOVY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. KAITAIA, 16 IS YOUR HIGH. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY. NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, BUT DO EXPECT TO SEE THE SUN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 11 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY FOR YOU. 15 THE HIGH FOR GISBORNE, NAPIER AND HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. 15 THE HIGH FOR WHANGANUI. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. KAIKOURA, A WINDY MORNING FOR YOU, BUT THAT SHOULD EASE OFF AFTER LUNCH. 14 IS YOUR HIGH, NELSON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR OAMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. THAT CLOUD WILL CLEAR FOR MOST OF YOU. EXPECT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR MILFORD SOUND AND DUNEDIN. FLAG BEARERS NAMES, PORTIA WOODMAN. EMMA TWIGG. EITHER NAMES COMING THROUGH FOR WHO SHOULD BE OUR FLAG BEARERS ON OPENING CEREMONY. DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO? CAN YOU JUST HAVE ONE? DAVID NIKA AS WELL AS SOMEONE ELSE. HOW DOES THAT WORK? DO THEY BOTH HOLD IT? THAT IS NOT EASY. THEY ARE WEARING A CLOAK, AND THEY ARE HOLDING THE FLAG. YOU HAVE TO SMILE, AND YOU HAVE TO TRY... THE BREEZE BLOWS THE FLAG ITSELF. THEN YOU DO THE ROYAL WAY. I DON'T THINK WE WOULD EVER BE CHOSEN. WE WOULD BE ARGUING AS WE'RE WALKING THROUGH. NEITHER OF US ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO GO TO THE OLYMPICS. SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, JENNY MAY. YOUR DAYS ARE PAST YOU DANIEL. AND HAS TO BE APPEALING TO THE PEOPLE. YOU COMPETED IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES. DID YOU NOT GET A MEDAL? LET US KNOW WHO YOUR PACK FOR FLAG BEARER IS. E WHAI AKE NEI ` HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DIE. FUNDING A FUNERAL IS GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE. WE'LL LOOK AT HOW YOU CAN BEST PLAN FOR ONE. AFTER THE BREAK. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Ready! (BOTH CHEER) (LAUGHS) VOICEOVER: Small steps can help you achieve your goals. Get your money one step ahead with ASB. FORGET THE COST OF LIVING, THE COST OF DYING IS NOW A SERIOUS CONCERN. THE EXPENSES INCURRED AFTER YOU PASS ARE RISING. IN THE WAIROA DISTRICT, THE COST OF A BURIAL HAS INCREASED BY 48%. IN MARLBOROUGH, IT'S RISEN 18%. IT'S PROMPTING FAMILIES TO RE-THINK HOW THEY SAY GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES, AFFORDABLY. WELL FOR SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO GIVE THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE A SEND OFF THEY DESERVE IN SPITE OF GROWING COSTS, I'M JOINED NOW BY FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE, GILLIAN BOYES. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING HOW ARE YOU? HOW MANY YEARS DID YOU GATHER THIS DATA AND ARE YOU SURPRISED BY? WE STARTED COLLECTING IT THREE YEARS AGO AND WE BASICALLY LOOK AT THE COUNCIL WEBSITE EVERY FIRST OF JULY, WHEN THEY ISSUE THE NEW PRICES. WE HAVE SEEN PRICES GOING UP, DISPROPORTIONATELY TO CPI AND A LOT OF DISTRICTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. TAURANGA THE BIG JUMP A FEW YEARS AGO. COSTS TO COUNCILS DO CHANGE OVER TIME IS. BUT THE EFFECT THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR FAMILIES AS IT ADDS TO THE BURDEN OF A FUNERAL. WE USE THIS AS AN EXCUSE I GUESS, TO SAY TO PEOPLE, THERE ARE COSTS INVOLVED BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO MANAGE THEM. YOU SAY COST HAVE CHANGED. HAS THE WAY WE PLAN FUNERALS CHANGE TO QUESTION MARK HUNTER THAT NOW LOOK LIKE? THE MAJORITY OF FUNERALS NOW ARE CREMATIONS. FOR CULTURAL REASONS COULD, BURIAL IS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR A LOT OF COMMUNITIES. IT BECOMES HARDER FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES TO MANAGE THEIR COSTS. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT OUR HOW CAN YOU STILL HAVE A MEANINGFUL FUNERAL, EVEN WITH THE COSTS THAT ARE GOING UP. THINGS LIKE TALKING WITH YOUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR WITH ANY CONSTRAINTS YOU MIGHT HAVE WITH YOUR BUDGET, AND ASKING FOR A DETAILED ESTIMATE SO YOU CAN BREAK DOWN WHAT EVERYTHING WILL COST. THOSE ELEMENTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE FAREWELL THAT YOU WANT TO GO. DEPENDING ON THE FUNERAL, THERE ARE WAYS TO CUT COSTS IN TERMS OF RITUALS AND THE PROCESSION. WHERE CAN YOU CUT COSTS AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEING? HAVING SOMETHING IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE GRIEVING PROCESS. DON'T THINK THAT YOU CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING. BE UPFRONT WITH YOUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND TALK THROUGH. THERE ARE OPTIONS A LOT OF PLACES, THE CASKET, YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING FROM MAKING YOUR OWN THROUGH TO SOMETHING THAT IS VERY LAVISH. THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF OPTIONS THERE. FLOWERS, YOU MAY DECIDE JUST TO HAVE SOMETHING FROM MUM'S GARDEN AND THAT WOULD BE VERY LOVELY AND MEANINGFUL. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A SLIDESHOW, THEY CAN PUT A BIT OF MONEY TO PUT TOGETHER. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE LOTS OF THOSE ELEMENTS. YOU PICK AND CHOOSE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE IT MEANINGFUL AND INDIVIDUAL TO THEM. THAT IS HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO COSTS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FEWER PEOPLE HAVING FUNERALS DUE TO THE RISING COST? IT IS QUITE EMOTIONAL. WE KNOW THAT IN SOCIETY THESE DAYS PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED BY ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY. WE WANT PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE OF GATHERING AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. THE PHYSICAL TOUCH. WE SAW HOW HARD THAT WAS FOR FOLK WHEN THEY COULD NOT DO THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE KNOW THAT THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE GRIEVING PROCESS. AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT, FUNERALS ARE THE ONLY TIME THAT YOU GET TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR SOME PEOPLE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO KEEP FEELING LIKE THEY CAN ADD THAT EXPENSE. THERE ARE WAYS TO MANAGE THE COST GIVEN THAT ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ARE IN. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT AND ADVICE. IT IS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION. I WAS TELLING INDIRA OFF CAMERA... WE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THIS. SHE IS TELLING HER CHILDREN... IF I DIE ON A MONDAY, BURY ME ON THE END OF TUESDAY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU. IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND TO SAY GOODBYE, TO CELEBRATE YOU AND BE PART OF THE GRIEVING PROCESS. THIS DECISION FOR ME IS ABOUT THEM. I KNOW HOW PACIFICA FUNERALS ARE, AND MAORI FUNERALS ARE SIMILAR, THEY CAN GO ON AND ON. I DO NOT WANT THAT BURDEN FOR MY FAMILY. PUT ME IN THE GROUND. I WILL BE SO HAPPY FOR YOU TO GO AND LIVE YOUR LIFE. THAT SOUNDS ALL NICE AND ROSY, BUT PEOPLE WILL MISS YOU. IT GIVES US A TIME TO GRIEVE. NOT THAT ANYONE WILL LISTEN. SPEAKING OF NOT LISTENING, IF I COULD SAY SOMETHING. WE ALL SAY THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE YOU WHEN YOU PASS AWAY, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU. I THINK, EVERY DAY YOU SHOULD BE REMINDED OF WHY YOU ARE HERE ON EARTH. YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHOULD BE TELLING YOU WHY THEY LOVE YOU. DO NOT WAIT TILL YOU DIE AND THEN HAVE A FUNERAL. INDIRA, I AM WITH YOU. I ON THE OTHER HAND AM WAITING FOR A STATE FUNERAL. PEOPLE CAN THROW FLOWERS AT MY COFFIN AS I'M GOING THROUGH. LATERS, DANIEL. FOR ME, AND I GUESS THIS IS FROM MY CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, HAVING THAT TIME TO GRIEVE, SET, WITH MY LOVED ONES THAT HAVE PASSED, MY DAD, MY BROTHER, THAT WAS PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS. YOU GET TO HEAR STORIES THAT YOU WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT. FOR ME PERSONALLY I WAS IN THE UK WHEN COVID HIT AND MY BROTHER DIED. E WHAI AKE NEI ` A HISTORIC PROPERTY, ONE OF THE LAST HOUSES AVAILABLE IN WELLINGTON'S CBD, IS ON THE MARKET. OUR REPORTER FELIX DEMARRAY HAS TAKEN A TOUR. MORENA, FELIX. WOAH. AS YOU WANT TO LIVE LIKE A TUTOR CAN, NOW MIGHT BE THE CHANCE. I SAY RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK. TUDOR KING. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. A TEN BEDROOM, FIVE BATHROOM HOUSE IS FOR SALE IN WELLINGTON, BUT IT'S NOT YOUR AVERAGE MANSION. PHOENIX HOUSE IS A 116-YEAR-OLD CATEGORY ONE HISTORIC PLACE, INSPIRED BY TUDOR ARCHITECTURE. WELLINGTON REPORTER FELIX DEMARRAY IS THERE. FELIX, GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. I AM FEELING SOME STRONG WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE VIBES THIS MORNING, SOME TUDOR MASTERPIECE VIBES. WITH ME IS THE OWNER OF PHOENIX HOUSE. WHAT IS IT THEY DREW YOU TO THIS PROPERTY? IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AND PROMINENT BUILDING. YOU'RE NEVER QUITE SURE ABOUT WHAT IS INSIDE. I OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE REAL ESTATE AND WAS STRUCK BY THE BEAUTY AND THE WOOD PANELLING, AND HOW IT HAD BEEN PRESERVED FOR THAT WHOLE 100 YEARS. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE PERFECT FOR BARRISTERS CHAMBERS. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE GROWING YOUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS. YOU MUST'VE BUILT SO MANY MEMORIES OVER THAT TIME. I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE HAD A FEW HALLOWING PARTIES AS WELL. I MANAGED TO GROUP 2 CHILDREN UP HERE, AND THEY HAVE ENJOYED HALLOWING PARTIES. WE HAD A SMOKE MACHINE AND LOTS OF CHILDREN SCREAMING, AS WELL IS THE SERIOUS PART OF THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE HERE IN TERMS OF MY LAW PRACTICE, HAVING THAT FAMILY AND PEOPLE FROM FIJI HERE AND PEOPLE FROM NEW ZEALAND, BUT HAS BEEN VERY MULTICULTURAL AND WONDERFUL. INCLUDING A HORROR SHORT FILM AS WELL. YES, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO HUMAN RIGHTS LAW IS THAT YOU GET ALL SORTS OF WEIRD AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LAW. IT IS HAD MULTI-PURPOSES, IT HAS SERVED US VERY WELL. WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY IN HERE, AND THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE THAT I COULD HAVE THOUGHT OF TO HAVE BROUGHT UP MY FAMILY AND BUSINESS. WITH SO MANY MEMORIES IN THIS PLACE, WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WANT TO LEAVE? WE HAVE OUTGROWN IT. MY FIRST MOVED IN HERE, THE PRACTICE ONLY HAD TWO, THREE, FOUR LAWYERS. WE NOW HAVE NINE LAWYERS, AND I COULD HAVE NINE MORE. IT HAS BECOME TOO SMALL FOR US. I HAVE INCREASED THE WORK THAT I DO IN FIJI. I HAVE JUST TAKEN OVER WHAT USED TO BE MY PARENTS FARM. I HAVE A LARGE CATTLE FARM THERE AND A BUTCHER'S LICENSE, SO I AM QUITE BUSY OVER THERE. THAT IS PART OF IT. I DON'T THINK I'M BEING TOO CHEEKY. I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A TENDER SALE, BUT WHAT KIND OF MONEY ARE WE TALKING, DO YOU THINK? WE DID SUBSTANTIAL EARTHQUAKE STRENGTHENING WORK TO THIS, AND IT HAS BEEN A BIG EFFORT. MY HUSBAND PUT A LOT OF TIME AND SO IT. YOU CAN SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS, HOW VALUABLE IT IS FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF WELLINGTON. WE ARE LOOKING AT TENDERS OVER 4 MILLION, SO THAT IS OUR BOTTOM LINE. WONDERFUL. IF I'M GOING TO GET MY DEPOSIT TOGETHER, I BETTER START PUTTING MY PENNIES TOGETHER. THE OTHER FUNNY THING IS THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CONNECTION HERE. I USED TO BABYSIT MANY YEARS AGO JANET'S SON. WAS IN OKAY BABYSITTER? YOU WERE THE BEST, FELIX. SPEAKING OF HISTORY, YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT THIS PERSON YOU BABYSAT IS GETTING 99% IN HISTORY. AT THEIR OWN ANGLICAN SCHOOL ACROSS THE ROAD, SO IT IS ALL CONNECTED. EMPTY NESTER, DOING OTHER THINGS IN FIJI. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, JANET. I THINK I MIGHT HAVE A POSSIBLE FORMAT CAREER AND BABYSITTING AND MAY BACK AND PUT A DEPOSIT TOGETHER. YOU CAN LOOK AFTER MINE. BABYSITTING WITH FELIX ON TVNZ PLUS AS SOON AS WE GET THE FUNDING. IT'S EIGHT O'CLOCK. HERE'S INDIRA WITH THE NEWS. CHRISTOPHER LUXON BELIEVES SACKING THE ENTIRE HEALTH NEW ZEALAND BOARD WILL SHIFT DECISION MAKING INTO THE RIGHT HANDS. SPEAKING TO BREAKFAST THIS MORNING, THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ENSURE INVESTMENT INTO HEALTH DELIVERS OUTCOMES. TE WHATU ORA'S BOARD WILL BE REPLACED WITH A COMMISSIONER, A MOVE MR LUXON BELIEVES WILL ALLOW FOR FASTER CHANGE. I THINK, AS A GOVERNMENT, WE NEED TO GIVE MAXIMUM CLARITY TO THAT BOARD, IN THIS CASE, OUR COMMISSIONER. THE COMMISSIONER WITH THEN DEAL WITH THE ORGANISATION AND OBVIOUSLY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ORGANISATION AS WELL. IT'S IMPORTANT. WE NEED TO DELIVER IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. LABOUR'S HEALTH SPOKESPERSON, DR AYESHA VERRALL, HAS HIT BACK AT CLAIMS SHE AND THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT WERE TO BLAME FOR ANY COST BLOWOUTS. A SURGE IN WHOOPING COUGH CASES NATIONWIDE IS PROMPTING A CALL TO GET PROTECTED. A BRIEFING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION CENTRE SHOWS ONLY HALF OF PREGNANT WOMEN BETWEEN DECEMBER 2023 AND FEBRUARY 2024 RECEIVED THE FOUR IMMUNISATIONS NEEDED. THE FIGURE DROPPING TO LESS THAN A THIRD FOR MAORI. WHOOPING COUGH IS A HIGHLY INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY DISEASE WITH LIMITED TREATMENT OPTIONS ONCE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, WITH AROUND HALF OF BABIES UNDER ONE YEAR OLD DIAGNOSED ARE HOSPITALISED. PLANS TO BRING POKIE MACHINES INTO A SMALL HAWKE'S BAY COMMUNITY HAS SPARKED OPPOSITION. A HASTINGS COMPANY WANTS TO SHIFT 18 MACHINES INTO THE FRASERTOWN TAVERN, JUST OUT OF WAIROA. IT'S ALSO APPLYING TO KEEP THE TAVERN OPEN AND SELLING ALCOHOL FROM 9am UNTIL 1am, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. AN INCREASE FROM THE TWO DAYS A WEEK IT CURRENTLY OPERATES. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF PROBLEM GAMBLING SERVICE TE RANGIHAEATA ORANA TRUST, CATH HEALEY, SAYS IT WILL CREATE A HIGH ACCESSIBILITY TO HARMFUL PRODUCTS. QUALITY OF LIFE IS DIMINISHED, REALLY, THROUGH ADDICTION TO THE POKIE MACHINES. AND HAVING THEM IN A VERY, VERY SMALL COMMUNITY, ALONGSIDE ALCOHOL CREATES A SPACE WHERE HIGH RISK, HIGH HARM DEFINITELY WILL OCCUR. ONE RESIDENT HAS ORGANISED A PETITION, CURRENTLY WITH OVER 800 SIGNATURES, WHICH WILL CLOSE TOMORROW, AHEAD OF THE COUNCIL DECISION ON THURSDAY. U.S. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HAS EARNED THE KEY ENDORSEMENT OF NANCY PELOSI, A HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. IT COMES SHORTLY AFTER HER FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE JOE BIDEN DROPPED OUT FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. IN A SPEECH AT THE WHITE HOUSE, HARRIS THANKED BIDEN FOR HIS SERVICE, AND PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS LEGACY. AND I AM FIRST-HAND WITNESS THAT EVERY DAY, OUR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FIGHTS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WE ARE DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR NATION. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DELEGATES WILL OFFICIALLY NOMINATE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE PARTY'S CONVENTION NEXT MONTH. TO SPORT, AND THE CENTRAL PULSE WILL HOST THE ANZ PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL NEXT SUNDAY. THE PULSE EARNING THE HOME FINAL AFTER A DOMINANT 58-44 WIN OVER THE TACTIX IN WELLINGTON LAST NIGHT. ON TOP OF SOME SHARP SHOOTING. STRONG DEFENSIVE PRESSURE FROM THE HOME SIDE KEPT THE MAINLANDERS TO JUST EIGHT GOALS IN THE FINAL QUARTER. I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SECURE THAT HOME FINAL SPOT. THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR BIGGEST GOALS THIS SEASON, AND ALSO ABOUT OTHER GOALS WAS TO PUT THE CONTRACTOR PLAYING GROUP ON THE BOARD. I AM REALLY HAPPY TO DO THAT AS WELL. THEY'LL PLAY THE WINNER THIS WEEKEND'S ELIMINATION FINAL BETWEEN THE TACTIX AND THE MYSTICS, FOR THE TITLE. AND EXCITEMENT LEVELS ARE BUILDING FOR THE NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC TEAM IN PARIS. THE RUGBY SEVENS TEAMS WERE SOME OF THE FIRST ATHLETES TO CHECK INTO THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE, WITH AROUND 60 NEW ZEALAND ATHLETES NOW SETTLED IN. YEAH, IT'S BEEN A HUGE BUZZ WALKING INTO THE VILLAGE. IT WAS A LITTLE BIT QUIET WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED, BUT NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING INTO THE FIRST WEEK, IT'S BEEN CRAZY SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND TRYING TO GUESS WHAT ATHLETE, WHAT SPORT THEY PLAY. IT'S BEEN REALLY COOL, ESPECIALLY SEEING THE REACTIONS OF THE GIRLS THAT IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME, IT'S REALLY SPECIAL. THE MEN'S SEVENS TEAM WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND TEAMS TO COMPETE IN PARIS, KICKING OFF THEIR CAMPAIGN TOMORROW NIGHT. AND BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR LEBRON JAMES HAS BEEN PICKED AS ONE OF TEAM USA'S FLAGBEARERS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE 39-YEAR-OLD SAYS IT'S AN HONOUR TO REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES, IN WHAT WILL BE HIS FOURTH OLYMPICS. JAMES AND THE STAR STUDDED AMERICANS HEAD TO PARIS AS FAVOURITES FOR BASKETBALL GOLD, DESPITE SCRAPPING PAST SOUTH SUDAN IN THEIR LAST WARM UP GAME. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM'S SET TO NAME ITS FLAGBEARERS ON FRIDAY. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MUCH BETTER THAN YESTERDAY. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. 15 DEGREES IS YOUR HIGH. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY. NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, BUT DO EXPECT TO SEE THE SUN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 15 DEGREES FOR HAMILTON. TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY FOR YOU. 11 DEGREES IS YOUR HIGH. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. 11 DEGREES IS YOUR HIGH. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` LOOKING GOOD. A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. NELSON AND BLENHEIM, YOU WILL GET SOME SUN LATER ON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR OAMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. THAT CLOUD WILL CLEAR FOR MOST OF YOU. STEWART ISLAND, 11 DEGREES IS YOUR HIGH. THE WHITE PICKET DREAM IS SLIPPING OUT OF GRASP FOR MANY, WITH NEW FIGURES PUTTING HOME OWNERSHIP AT ITS LOWEST IN CLOSE TO EIGHT DECADES. RESEARCH BY DELOITTE, COMMISSIONED BY WESTPAC, REVEALS RATES HAVE FALLEN BELOW 60%, AND ARE ON TRACK TO DROP BELOW 50% BY 2048. COMMUNITY HOUSING AOTEAROA DEPUTY CEO CHRIS GLAUDEL JOINS US NOW. CHRIS, GOOD MORNING. ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THIS, AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT? GOOD MORNING, DANIEL. I WISH I COULD SAY I WAS SURPRISED, BUT AS YOU NOTED IN THE INTRO AND REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASED, THIS IS A LONG-TERM TREND. WHAT IS ESPECIALLY WORRYING IS THAT MAORI PACIFIC HOUSEHOLDS HAVE LOWER RATES. HOW DO WE GET TO THIS POINT? IT IS A LONG-TERM TREND. BACK IN THE 1950S THROUGH 80S, POLITICAL PARTIES OUTCOMPETE EACH OTHER IN SUPPORT FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP 'S AND PUT OWNERSHIP RATES ABOVE 75% THAT WE ENJOYED UNTIL WE STARTED TO SLIDE IN THE EARLY 90S. SUMMER THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED HAVE BEEN THE LACK OF INVESTMENT, AND ALSO A LACK OF CHANGE IN MINDSET IS HOME IS INCREASINGLY VIEWED AS INVESTMENT ASSETS RATHER THAN A PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY. THERE IS BEEN TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY HOUSING SCHEMES. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THIS AND WHAT ROLE YOU SEE THEM PLAYING OUR HOUSING CRISIS. COMMUNITY AND MAORI HOUSING PROVIDERS PROVIDE A BRIDGE INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR LOW AND MEDIUM INCOME FAMILIES. THOSE WERE DEVELOPED WITH PHILANTHROPIC SO MANY INSTANCES WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK ON NEW AND INNOVATIVE SCHEMES, SUCH AS THE RENT TO BUY, LEASEHOLD PROGRAMS. THEY PRODUCED OVER 1000 HOMES BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRESSIVE HOMEOWNERSHIP FUND, AND CONTINUE TO GROW AND EXPAND THROUGH THAT FUND. DO WE NEED TO LET GO OF THE TRADITIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP? DO WE SAY GOODBYE TO THAT AND INSTEAD CONSIDER SCHEMES LIKE SHARED EQUITY AND LEASEHOLDS? WE HAVE LET OUR HOUSING MARKET BECOME SO FINANCIAL ICED THAT FOR A PERIOD OF A COUPLE OF DECADES, WE WILL NEED TO LOOK AT THESE ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS. THERE IS NO MAGIC WAND THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP OVERNIGHT. MINISTER BISHOP IS TALKING ABOUT HOUSING AS A MORAL ISSUE. THAT A VIEW OF THE PAVLOVIAN PARADISE, THE QUARTER ACRE PARADISE, IS STILL CULTURALLY INGRAINED. NEW ZEALANDERS WANT TO SEE HOUSEHOLDS HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OWNERSHIP. WE NEED TO PUT IN PLACE THOSE LONG-TERM PLANS FOR HOW WE WILL GET THERE. WE ALSO NEED TO BE REALISTIC THAT IT WILL TAKE TIME AND WE CANNOT WAIT AND NEED TO GET ON AND PROVIDE THOSE BENEFITS THAT HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVE FROM OWNERSHIP AND MORE FINANCIAL STABILITY, BETTER SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES WHEN CHILDREN UPROOTED FROM SCHOOLS AS RENTS RAISE AND HAVE TO MOVE TO A MORE AFFORDABLE PLACE. I THINK THESE ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO HAVE A PLACE TO PLAY UNTIL WE CAN CHANGE OVERALL SETTINGS THAT WE DO NOT NEED THEM. WHAT SUPPORT CAN A GOVERNMENT DUDE, DO YOU THINK? THE BANKS HAVE COME TO THE TABLE. WESTPAC IS BEEN A LENDER IN THE SPACE, AND SPENT THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND HOW THESE PROGRAMS WORK ON A SMALL-SCALE. IT IS NOT THE LEADING EDGE OF THEIR PROFIT MAKING, BUT IT IS GREAT THAT THEY SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCHEMES AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED. AT THE END OF THE DAY, PHILANTHROPIC'S PRIVATE CAPITAL CANNOT REPLACE THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE OF PROVIDING LONG-TERM CAPITAL. BEFORE HUNDRED MILLION OF THE PROGRESSIVE HOMEOWNERSHIP FUND LOANED AT 0% INTEREST, BUT IT IS REPAID IN 15 YEARS. THAT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT. THERE IS A TIME COST, BUT BY THE END OF THAT, WE HAVE 1700 HOMES. SOME OF THAT MONEY WILL BE RECYCLED. OVER 2000 2500 HOMES BY THE END OF THE TIME. AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE ITS MONEY BACK. ARE WE BUILDING HOUSING STOCK FAST ENOUGH? OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THAT RATE OF BUILDING WAS INCREASING STEADILY. WE HAVE SEEN THAT CHANGE. WHAT OUR MEMBERS TELL US AND OUR ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS THAT THERE IS A STEEP SLOWDOWN, WE ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THE CAPACITY OF OUR CONSTRUCTION SECTOR. THAT MEANS WHEN INTEREST RATES COME DOWN AND MORE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO BUILD AND BUY THAT IT TAKES TIME TO GEAR UP AGAIN. WE THINK THE GOVERNMENT IS A CRITICAL ROLE AND PROGRESSIVE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM COULD BE A COUNTERCYCLICAL INVESTMENT TO HELP SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DURING THE SLOWDOWN AND PROVIDERS PATHWAYS INTO OWNERSHIP FOR THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS. REALLY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. E WHAI AKE NEI ` WHY POPPING A SQUAT DURING THE AD BREAKS OF YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW, COULD HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT. WHAT? THAT'S TAKEN A TURN. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. IF FOUR HOURS OF WATCHING TV A NIGHT ISN'T HELPING YOUR SLEEP, WE HAVE GOOD NEWS. A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT IN THE AD BREAKS CAN HELP THE QUALITY AND DURATION OF YOUR SLEEP, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH. TO FIND OUT MORE WE'RE JOINED BY LEAD RESEARCHER JENNIFER GALE, MORENA! WE INVITED 30 ADULTS AND TO THE LAB BEHIND ME. ONE SESSION, THEY SET BEFORE HOURS AND WATCHED TV. AND THE OTHER, THEY DID THE SAME THING BUT EVERY HOUR THEY GOT UP AND PERFORM THREE MINUTES OF EXERCISE. AFTER THE SESSIONS, THEY WENT HOME TO THE NORMAL ENVIRONMENTS AND WE REMOTELY MONITOR THEIR SLEEP. WE FOUND THEY SLEPT FOR 27 MINUTES LONGER AFTER THEY INTERRUPTED THEIR SITTING. SLEEPING A BIT LONGER, BUT WHAT WAS THE QUALITY OF THE SLEEP? QUALITY OF SLEEP IS REALLY IMPORTANT AS WELL. WE FOUND THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE SLEEP QUALITY, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING BECAUSE THE SLEEP GUIDELINES SAY THAT EXERCISE BEFORE BED CAN CAUSE DISRUPTION. DEFINE NO DIFFERENCE WAS GREAT AND ESPECIALLY FIND THAT EXTENSION WAS BETTER. WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SITTING ALL DAY? SITTING AT A DESK IF THAT IS YOUR JOB OR SITTING ON A COUCH FOR HOURS? WE KNOW THAT SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR IS A LOT ASSOCIATED WITH HOW WE WORK AND WHAT WE DO IN THE EVENING. EVIDENCE HAS SHOWN THAT LONGER PERIODS OF SITTING, PARTICULAR WHEN PROLONGED, ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING HEART DISEASE AND TYPE II DIABETES. WE WANT TO TRY AND MINIMISE THE TYPE THAT WE ARE SITTING, IDEALLY BY BREAKING IT UP. OTHER THAN AVOIDING RISKS, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO GETTING UP REGULARLY? WE FOUND THAT REGULARLY INTERRUPTING SLEEPING, AND PROVE THE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR IN OUR BLOOD AFTER A MEAL. WHICH WE FOUND, CAN IMPROVE OUR SLEEP. THOSE THINGS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH BENEFITS, TICKLY WHEN PERFORMED OVER THE LONG-TERM. HOW DID YOU MONITOR THIS? AFTER THE PARTICIPANTS LEFT THE LAB, THEY WERE WEARING, EXACTLY AS YOU WERE SHOWING, WRIST WORN ACTIVITY MONITORS. THAT HELPED US IDENTIFY SLEEP. THAT IS HOW WE WERE ABLE TO MEASURE IT AND A FREE LIVING ENVIRONMENT. TO GO BACK TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION, THE REASON WE DID THE STUDY, SLEEP GUIDELINES TELL US THAT WE SHOULD NOT REALLY EXERCISE BEFORE WE GO TO BED BECAUSE THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT SAYS IT INCREASES OUR HEART RATE AND CORE BODY TEMPERATURE, BUT WE KNEW FROM OUR PREVIOUS RESEARCH THAT INTERRUPTING EVENING SETTING IMPROVE METABOLISM, THE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR IN THE BLOOD. I WONDERED IF THIS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON SLEEP. BECAUSE WE FOUND BENEFITS FOR SLEEP, WE WERE VERY EXCITED. MAYBE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND EXERCISING BEFORE BED. THERE WERE CONTROLLED MEASURES AROUND THIS EXPERIMENT. DO YOU THINK THERE WERE ANY OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD HAVE LED TO INCREASED SLEEP? A RANDOMISED CROSSOVER TRIAL THAT WE DID IS VERY HIGHLY CONTROLLED. A REAL BENEFIT OF THAT AS WE CAN RULE OUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SLEEP EXTENSION. OBVIOUSLY, WE CANNOT SAY THERE IS NO OTHER REASON, BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT IT WAS ACTIVITY BREAKS. THE NEXT STEP IS GETTING INTO FREE-LIVING OR REAL-LIFE SETTINGS, AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE MOMENT. WE ARE CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND GETTING PEOPLE TO DO EVENING ACTIVITY BREAKS IN THEIR HOMES. WE ARE MONITORING THE SLEEP OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD, SO HOPEFULLY WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THOSE BENEFITS IN REAL LIFE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. FASCINATING RESEARCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SOME GOOD QUESTIONS. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 8.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS ` WE WILL GET TO MORE OF YOUR FEEDBACK ON FLAG BEARERS AND FUNERALS. IT IS COMING SHORTLY. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FUNERALS THIS MORNING. IN TERMS OF COST, LARRY HAS MENTIONED THAT THERE IS NO TALK ABOUT FUNERAL COSTS. THE COST HAVE GONE UP IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT WAS WHAT OUR INTERVIEW WAS ABOUT. SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TRACKING THE COSTS. DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, FUNERAL COSTS CAN GO ANYWHERE FROM JUST UNDER $2000 UP TO $6000. CREMATION COSTS, CAN GO UP TO $2000 AS WELL. AT THAT AS THE ASH BURIAL COST. THEN THERE IS ALSO THE CREMATION COST ON TOP OF THAT WHICH IS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE POINT OF THE SEGMENT WAS THAT THE COST OF HAVING A FUNERAL IS GOING UP, SO HOW ARE PEOPLE CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THEIR LOVED ONES WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY. IT IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL. THERE ARE MANY CULTURAL FACTORS THAT COME IN FOR MANY FAMILIES, AS WELL AS RITUALS. IT IS WHETHER YOU START TO PEEL BACK ON THOSE COSTS AND TRY TO KEEP IT WITH AND YOUR BUDGET. SANDY SAYS, ONE OF THE WAYS SHE IS MANAGING COST IS BY PREPAYING FOR HER PLOT. YOU CAN DO THIS THROUGH THE CEMETERY OR THE LOCAL COUNCIL SHE SAYS. LORRAINE HAS SAID I TELL MY CHILDREN THAT THEY SHOULD BURY ME THE NEXT DAY AFTER I DIE. I DO NOT WANT TO BE PUT ON DISPLAY AND I DO NOT WANT THEM TO BE DEALING WITH OTHERS GRIEF WHEN THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEIR OWN. GO AND LIVE YOUR LIFE. WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT WANT TO TRAVEL BACK TO SAY GOODBYE? THEY SHOULD HAVE SAID GOODBYE TO ME BEFORE I DIE. I DO TAKE YOUR POINT ABOUT HEARING OTHER PEOPLE'S GRIEF. BUT SOMETIMES THAT CAN BE PART OF YOUR GRIEVING PROCESS, TOO. AS THE FAMILY THAT IS CLOSEST TO THAT PERSON WHO HAS PASSED AWAY. COST IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. WE HAD A FAMILY CEMETERY, SO I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WILL I AM GOING. ALL MY ANCESTORS ARE THERE. MY BROTHER IS THERE. I KNOW WHERE I AM GOING. THAT IS NOT COST THAT I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT. WE DO DO THINGS OVER 3 TO 4 DAYS. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE PERSON WHO HAS NOW GONE, IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE GONE VERY DEEP THIS MORNING, FOLKS. LET US LIFT IT UP. CHRISTOPHER LUXON HOPES REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEALTH NEW ZEALAND BOARD WILL RESULT IN A BETTER RETURN ON INVESTMENT. THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE WANTS TO ENSURE THE ORGANISATION IS HIGH-PERFORMING, AND SACKING THE BOARD WAS WHAT WAS NEEDED. THE PM SAYS THE DECISION IS ABOUT ENSURING THE ORGANISATION IS SET FOR PURPOSE, AND IS FOCUSED ON DELIVERY QUICKER OUTCOMES. THERE'S 2500 EXTRA MANAGERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT INTO HEALTH NEW ZEALAND. THERE IS 14 LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE CEO. IF YOU ARE A FRONTLINE DOCTOR OR NURSE, GO TALK TO THEM AND TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY'VE GOT DEALING WITH MANAGEMENT MASH THAT SITS ABOVE THEM. LABOUR'S HEALTH SPOKESPERSON, DR AYESHA VERRALL, HAS HIT BACK AT CLAIMS THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT WAS TO BLAME FOR ANY COST BLOWOUTS. FORMER CHAIR ROB CAMPBELL SAYS THE BOARD ISN'T RELEVANT TO THE MANAGEMENT, IT'S AT A SENIOR LEVEL. THE MINISTRY PRESIDED OVER THIS HEALTH SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME. IT EFFECTIVELY WROTE THE NEW SYSTEM. IT EFFECTIVELY DROVE THE RESOURCES FOR THE NEW SYSTEM. THE MINISTER SETS THE FUNDING FOR THE NEW SYSTEM, AND YET THE MINISTRY JUST SAILS ON THROUGH ALL OF THIS, AND THEY ARE SOMEHOW GOING TO BE ALONGSIDE A COMMISSIONER THE SAVIOURS OF THE SYSTEM. THE RECENTLY IMPROVED BOARD CHAIR, LESTER LEVY, WILL BE THE NEW COMMISSIONER. A LARGE FIRE CONTINUES TO BURN NEAR TWIZEL. FOUR PROPERTIES WERE EVACUATED NEAR LAKE PUKAKI LAST NIGHT, WHERE THE FIRE IS CURRENTLY BURNING THROUGH GRASS. A HELICOPTER WILL BE SENT OUT AT FIRST LIGHT TO INSPECT THE BLAZE. STATE HIGHWAY 80 REMAINS CLOSED. NEW ZEALANDERS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO THINK OF NEW WAYS TO GET ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER. NEW RESEARCH SHOWS HOME OWNERSHIP RATES HAVE FALLEN BELOW 60%, AND WILL DROP BELOW 50% BY 2048 BASED ON CURRENT TRENDS. COMMUNITY HOUSING AOTEAROA SAYS PROPERTY PRICES ARE INCREASING MUCH FASTER THAN INCOMES. THAT VIEW OF THE PAVLOVA PARADISE, THE QUARTER ACRE SECTION, AND A HOME IS STILL DEEPLY CULTURALLY INGRAINED, AND I BELIEVE NEW ZEALANDERS DO WANT TO SEE HOUSEHOLDS HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OWNERSHIP. I THINK WE NEED TO PUT IN PLACE THOSE LONGER-TERM PLANS FOR HOW WE'LL GET THERE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE REALISTIC THAT IT WILL TAKE TIME. SOME BANKS BELIEVE 'SHARED HOME HOUSING' OPTIONS COULD HELP THOUSANDS ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER. IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, KAMALA HARRIS HAS RAISED A RECORD $135m. THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO EARNED THE KEY ENDORSEMENT OF NANCY PELOSI, A HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL FIGURE IN THE PARTY. U.S. POLITICAL ANALYST JEFF GREENFIELD SAYS HARRIS IS THE DEMOCRATS' ONLY VIABLE CANDIDATE. BUT SHE CERTAINLY MAKES A VERY DRAMATIC CONTRAST TO DONALD TRUMP ON THE AGE ISSUE. THE SECOND PART ABOUT THIS IS SHE CAN GALVANISE SOME OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO WERE BACKING AWAY FROM BIDEN. A SURVEY BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SHOWS MORE THAN HALF OF THE PARTY'S DELEGATES INTEND TO PLEDGE THEIR SUPPORT FOR HARRIS AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO NEXT MONTH. THE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE HAS ADMITTED THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON DONALD TRUMP WAS THE AGENCY'S BIGGEST FAILURE IN DECADES. QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED OVER HOW A GUNMAN MANAGED TO GET SO CLOSE TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT AT A RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA. IN A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, DIRECTOR KELLY CHEATLE TOOK FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY LAPSES, AND PLEDGED ACTION TO ENSURE THERE WOULD NOT BE A REPEAT. A GUNMAN HAS KILLED SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER, AT A NURSING HOME IN CROATIA. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN THE TOWN OF DARUVAR IN THE COUNTRY'S NORTH WEST. THE GUNMAN FLED THE SCENE BUT WAS LATER ARRESTED AT A NEARBY CAFE. ANOTHER SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE INCIDENT, WITH FOUR STILL IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. NEW ZEALAND PADDLER LUUKA JONES IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CHALLENGE AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS. A SILVER MEDALLIST IN THE CANOE SLALOM EIGHT YEARS AGO, JONES WILL THIS TIME LINE UP IN THE KAYAK CROSS, WHICH IS MAKING ITS OLYMPIC DEBUT. FOR US KIWIS, IT KIND OF BRINGS US BACK TO OUR ROOTS OF JUST PLAYING AROUND IN PLASTIC BOATS IN THE RIVER. IT'S VERY, KIND OF, EXTREME SPORT COMPARED WITH SLALOM. CLASSIC SLALOM, YOU STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE. IT'S JUST YOU AND THE COURSE, WHEREAS KAYAK CROSS, YOU'RE LAUNCHING OFF A RAMP. THERE'S FOUR OF YOU, YOU'RE FIGHTING, YOU'RE SMASHING INTO EACH OTHER, BASICALLY. JONES IS SET TO BECOME JUST THE THIRD FEMALE ATHLETE TO REPRESENT NEW ZEALAND AT FIVE OLYMPIC GAMES. AND FINALLY, A PAIR OF GIANT PANDA TWINS IN CHINA HAVE CELEBRATED THEIR SECOND BIRTHDAY IN STYLE. STAFF AT CHINA'S CHONGQING ZOO HELD A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR YU KE AND YU AI COMPLETE WITH A FULLY DECORATED ENCLOSURE AND PRESENTS. TO TOP IT OFF, THE DUO WERE TREATED TO A BIRTHDAY CAKE MADE OF BAMBOO SHOOTS, APPLES, AND GRAPES. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY ` ISOLATED SHOWERS TO START THE DAY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. RUSSELL, YOU CAN EXPECT SOME BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOON. KAITAIA, 16 IS YOUR HIGH. FURTHER SOUTH ` TAURANGA, WHAKATANE AND ROTORUA, YOU'RE IN FOR A STUNNING DAY. NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES. ELSEWHERE, A CLOUDY DAY, BUT DO EXPECT TO SEE THE SUN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 11 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST ` ANOTHER SUNNY DAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE NORTH ISLAND. CLEAR SKIES FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MASTERTON, IT'S LOOKING LIKE A WINDY DAY FOR YOU. 15 THE HIGH FOR GISBORNE, NAPIER AND HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY FOR MOST OF THE REGION. LEVIN, YOU WILL BE TREATED TO SUNSHINE TODAY. WELLINGTON, ANOTHER WINDY DAY IN THE CAPITAL. 15 THE HIGH FOR WHANGANUI. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND ` A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY START TO THE DAY FOR WESTPORT, GREYMOUTH AND HOKITIKA. KAIKOURA, A WINDY MORNING FOR YOU, BUT THAT SHOULD EASE OFF AFTER LUNCH. 14 IS YOUR HIGH, NELSON. HEADING SOUTH ` A GLORIOUS DAY FOR THE MOST OF THE REGION. TIMARU AND OAMARU ARE IN FOR BLUE SKIES. LIGHT SHOWERS FOR CHRISTCHURCH, CLEARING IN THE AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR OAMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH ` EARLY MORNING CLOUD TO START THE DAY FOR THE REGION. THAT CLOUD WILL CLEAR FOR MOST OF YOU. EXPECT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY AFTERNOON. 12 THE HIGH FOR MILFORD SOUND AND DUNEDIN. VERY QUICKLY, I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS FOR YOU, INDIRA. THE FAMILY NEED TIME TO GRIEVE. LEAD LIKE A RANGATIRA, BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE. KIA ORA. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WILL LISTEN TO ME ANYWAY. SPEAKING OF RANGATIRA, HER WILL BE THE FLAG BEARERS? PROBABLY TOW. TWO. LUUKA JONES IS WHO I AM GOING FOR. AND AARON GATE. WOULD LOVE A TEAM MEMBER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OPENING CEREMONY TO PULL OUT AND UP THE WAHS FLAG. SOMEONE HAS SUGGESTED DAVID SEYMOUR TO BE THE ONE WHO CARRIES THE OLYMPIC FLAG. JUST READING OUT WHAT IS COMING IN, FOLKS. MANY ARE GOING FOR AARON GATE AND LUUKA JONES. PORTIA WOODMAN IS ANOTHER OPTION. TYLER KING IS PLAYING SEVENS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH LISA CARRINGTON. TO PEOPLE CARRYING IT MUST BE AWKWARD. IT IS, I HAVE SEEN IT. I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE AWKWARD PART. I THINK YOU'RE MAKING IT ABOUT YOU. IT IS ALWAYS LIKE, ONE IS MORE DOMINANT THAN THE OTHER. ONE PERSON HAS TO HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND HOLD THE BOTTOM. IT IS A WEDDING TO WATCH. ANYWAY, OUT OF MY WAY. YOU ARE BLOCKING THE VIEW. E WHAI AKE NEI ` IT'S THE GRAND FINAL OF POTENTIALLY THE GREATEST COMPETITION IN NEW ZEALAND. FIVE FORKLIFTS ARE GOING HEAD TO HEAD IN A WAR FOR THE NATIONAL TROPHY. WE'LL PICK UP THAT COMPETITION NEXT. WOW. BRILLIANT. (MOWER ROARS) Ahh! Ohhh, yeah! (DYNAMIC MUSIC) VOICEOVER: See near and far with a complete pair of progressives from $169. Must've gone to Specsavers. FOR SOME, THEY'RE AN ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR BUSINESS. FOR OTHERS, THEY'RE ONE OF THE COOLEST TOYS AN ADULT CAN PLAY WITH ` FORKLIFTS. YOU'VE PROBABLY THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING A GO, AND LIKE DRIVING, YOU PROBABLY THINK YOU'D BE PRETTY GOOD AT IT. WELL, TODAY IN TAMAKI MAKARAU, WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT JUST WHO IS THE BEST FORKLIFT OPERATOR IN AOTEAROA, AND RODNEY GRANT FROM THE HIRE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION IS GOING TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT. MORENA, RODNEY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY? GOOD MORNING. WE HAVE GOT THE NATIONAL FORKLIFT OPERATOR CHAMPIONSHIP ON TODAY DOWN AT THE VIADUCT EVENTS CENTRE, AS PART OF OUR HIRE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. HOW LONG HAS THIS COMPETITION BEEN GOING FOR? AND HAS SOME HISTORY RIGHT BACK INTO THE 90S. WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING IT AS ASSOCIATION FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. WE HAVE HAD REGIONAL HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND NOW WE HAVE THE FINAL FIVE GUYS TURNING UP HERE FOR THE FINAL COMPETITION. I LOVE IT. WE CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND YOU. I WONDER IF YOU CAN TALK US THROUGH HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS, WE WANT TO SEE THESE DRIVERS IN ACTION. THE MAIN THING ABOUT THE COMPETITION AS THEY HIGHLIGHT FORKLIFTS AND THE QUALITY OF THE OPERATORS THAT ARE OUT THERE. IT IS ALSO ABOUT SOME OF THE SAFETY PRINCIPLES THAT THEY FOLLOW. WE TAKE THEM THROUGH A THEORY EXAM, THEY HAD TO SIT ON AN EXAM, AS PART OF THE COMPETITION AND DO SOME OTHER CHECKS ON THE FORKLIFT TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE TO USE. I CANNOT TALK YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE PRACTICAL BECAUSE SOME OF IT AS A SURPRISE FOR SOME OF THESE GUYS. THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THE COURSE OR WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FEW SECRETS ABOUT WATCHING THIS NOW. FAIR ENOUGH. WE DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT. HOW MANY TASKS WILL THEY HAVE TO DO? WE ARE SEEING ONE NOW, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW AS THE ON-BOARD CAMERA OF THE FORKLIFT. WE SAW EARLIER THAT YOU HAVE TO LIFT A PLANK UP SO THAT THE BALL ENDS UP IN THE GOAL. HOW MANY TASKS WILL THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE? THERE ARE PROBABLY EIGHT OR NINE TASKS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO. THEY FOCUS ON DIFFERENT SKILL SETS, IS ALL ABOUT FINDING MOVEMENT AND PRECISION. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM AND SIDE THE FORKLIFT INDUSTRY WITH ACCIDENTS AS PEOPLE GET COMPLACENT WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT, AND THEY GET TOO CONFIDENT AND COMPLACENT. WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES THAT IS WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. WE ARE TRYING TO SHOW THE FINE MOTOR SKILLS THAT THESE GUYS HAVE AND THAT CONTROL THAT THEY HAVE TO IDENTIFY THAT BEST FORKLIFT CHAMPION THAT IS OUT THERE. RODNEY, AS DANIEL HERE, WE CAN SEE THE BALANCE IN THE BACKGROUND. WHERE ARE THE FIVE FINALISTS FROM? THEY ARE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE GOT A COUPLE OUT OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND, A GUY FROM AUCKLAND HERE AS WELL. WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR THE FINALS TODAY. THEY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT ON BY THEIR EMPLOYERS WHO ARE SPONSORING OR SUPPORTING THEM TO BE IN THIS AND BECOME THE CHAMPION OPERATOR FOR 2024. I AM FROM THE SOUTH ISLAND, WHO WOULD YOU PICK TO TAKE THIS OUT? A GUY FROM ROTORUA WON IT LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS IN THE SOUTH ISLAND. THIS YEAR IT IS IN THE NORTH ISLAND, SO MAYBE IT WILL BE A SOUTH ISLAND WINNER THIS TIME. I MIGHT SIGN UP NEXT YEAR TO REPRESENT. I HAD A GO AT IT BEFORE, AND I'M NOT A VERY GOOD FORKLIFT OPERATOR SO I MISSED THE HOPE OF. IT IS NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS ON TV THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. I LOVE IT. GOOD GUY. E HAERE AKE NEI ` SHIHAD'S JON TOOGOOD JOINS US TO REVEAL HIS SOLO SIDE. A PERFORMANCE YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. SHIHAD FRONTMAN JON TOOGOOD HAS PUT DOWN THE ELECTRIC GUITAR, AND PICKED UP AN ACOUSTIC ONE. HIS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM - CALLED THE LAST OF THE LONELY GODS - HAS JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR OCTOBER 11. THE HALL-OF-FAME MEMBER JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN ITS GENESIS AND PLAY US THE NEW SINGLE. JOHN, GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE YOU? 35 YEARS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE STARTED IN WELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 16. STILL YOUNG. JOHN, YOU ARE YOUNG. WHEN DID YOU FEEL IT WAS A TIME TO GO SOLO? WENT AHEAD TO YOU? I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT. I DID THINGS LIKE THE ADULTS, BUT THAT IS ME JAMMING OTHER PEOPLE SOME OF THIS COLLABORATIVE. WITH THIS, I HAD A PARTICULARLY BRUTAL COVID PERIOD. I LOST MY MOTHER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW. I WAS IN MELBOURNE WHILE SHE WAS IN WELLINGTON. I HAD TO SAY GOODBYE OVER THE PHONE. MY WAY TO WORK THROUGH THOSE DRAMATIC THINGS WAS THE TURNS OF MUSIC, SO I WROTE A RECORD BASED ON THAT. DID THAT HELP YOU WITH THE GRIEVING PROCESS? VERY MUCH SO. MUSIC IS THE WAY THAT I MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD. IT IS A CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE. GRAVITY IS A SONG THAT I WROTE TOWARDS THE END OF THAT PROCESS, WHERE I'M COMING OUT OF THE GRIEF. IT MADE ME GO, LIFE GOES REALLY QUICKLY, I DON'T WANT TO BE WASTING ANY DAY. WHAT I WANT MY LIFE TO LOOK LIKE FROM HERE ON OUT? THE VIDEO FEATURES A NUMBER OF OTHER BANDS. WHAT IT'S BEEN WEIRD TO FEATURE YOUR OTHER SHIHAD MEMBERS? SHIHAD MAKES A GRAND SOUND, CITY THEMES LYRICALLY ARE ALWAYS GRAND. THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL RECORD. I BASICALLY USE MUSICIANS THAT I'D BEEN WORKING WITH ON THE COME TOGETHER SHOWS. WHAT ELSE HAS INSPIRED YOU THROUGHOUT? OUTSIDE OF MUSIC? HAVING CHILDREN IS A MASSIVE INSPIRATION. IT IS A REAL FAMILY AFFAIR. THE KID SEEING ALL THE WORDS TO THIS ALBUM BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN AROUND IT WHILE I BEEN CREATING IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO WRAP UP BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR SINGLE. NICE TO TALK TO YOU, JOHN. NICE TO TALK TO YOU TO. I LIKE THE FACT THAT FAMILY HAS BEEN A HUGE PART OF THE ALBUM. # YOUR BEEN HIDING # WAY TOO LONG. # COULD DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ACCEPT SO YOUNG. # SO YOU TRY AND # FIND ANOTHER WAY OUT. # BUT TIMES BECOME THE ENEMY, # AND YOUR BEEN LOST TO DOUBT. # AND YOU ARE WONDERING IF IT IS ALL YOUR LIFE # WILL EVER BE. # BEEN TRYING, BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING GRAVITY. # IT IS FUNNY HOW THE TIMES KEEP SLIPPING AWAY FROM YOU. # A SURVIVOR. # WITHOUT A HOME. # WITH OUR KICK YOU OUT # AND THEN YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN. # AND IF YOU FALL, # IT IS A LONG WAY DOWN. # ME AND DEATH, # WE USED TO FIGHT IT OUT, # BUT WITH SO MUCH CLOSER NOW. # AND YOU'RE WONDERING IF IT'S ALL YOUR LIFE WILL EVER BE. # BEEN TRYING, BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING GRAVITY. # IT'S FUNNY HOW # TIME KEEP SLIPPING AWAY FROM YOU. # AND IT DON'T MATTER # NO, IT DON'T MATTER. # NO, IT DON'T MATTER. # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA CAPTIONS BY KITTY WASASALA, JULIE TAYLOR, FRANK GORE AND DREW WELSH. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024 # AND YOU'RE WONDERING IF IT IS ALL YOUR LIFE WILL EVER BE. # YOUR TRYING, BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING GRAVITY. # IT'S FUNNY HOW # TIME KEEP SLIPPING AWAY FROM YOU. # AND IT DON'T MATTER. # NO, IT DON'T MATTER. # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA # WHOA