IT'S WEDNESDAY THE 12th OF MARCH. MORENA, THIS IS BREAKFAST. YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SOME GROUP THERAPY THIS MORNING. IT IS NOT EVEN 6 O'CLOCK. IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING. IT STARTED WITH A CONVERSATION WITH AL AMAZING MAKE UP ARTIST AROUND THE SONGS AND HOW THEY EVOKE DIFFERENT EMOTIONS, AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO HOW YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PEOPLE. IF YOU ASKED THEM ABOUT SONGS THAT MEAN SOMETHING TO THEM. THEN YOU START TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY UNRAVELLING. AND, BOY, DID THAT HAPPEN THIS MORNING. YOU ASKED EVERYONE IF THEY HAD A SON THAT REMINDED THEM OF A TIME IN THEIR LIFE. SOMEONE SAID THEY LOVED LISTENING TO THIS BECAUSE IT REMINDED THEM OF SOMETHING. AND THEN THE FEELINGS STARTED POURING OUT. I WAS TRYING TO DO MY WORK PREPARATION AND PEOPLE WERE DIVULGING THEIR DEEPEST DARKEST SECRETS. WE WILL FINISH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR MEMORIES THAT RELATE TO SONGS. WE WILL GO DEEP THIS MORNING. ON THE SHOW THIS MORNING ` THREE PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN ILL IN THE WAIRARAPA AFTER TAKING A SUSPECT SUBSTANCE. STOKING FEARS A DANGEROUS OPIOID MAY BE CIRCULATING IN THE REGION DISGUISED AS COCAINE. AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES TO FIND THE SOURCE, WE'LL SPEAK WITH THE DRUG FOUNDATION ` WHAT IT'S CONCERNED MAY BE IN THE MYSTERY POWDER. ALSO AHEAD ` UKRAINE AND THE UNITED STATES SIT DOWN FOR PEACE TALKS. CAN THE U.S. MEDIATE A RESOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA? WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE SUMMIT IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS SHARES HIS HOPES FOR HIS HOMELAND. PLUS, SUMMER MIGHT BE BEHIND US BUT THE RISK OF WILDFIRES REMAINS HIGH. IN CANTERBURY, CONTROLLED FIRES ARE BEING LIT BY FIREFIGHTERS AND RESEARCHERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE FIRES. WE'LL FIND OUT HOW IT COULD PREVENT MAJOR BLAZES IN THE FUTURE. RIGHT NOW IT'S 6 O'CLOCK ` HERE'S JENNY MAY WITH YOUR NEWS. THANKS, CHRIS. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE'LL DOUBLE THE TARIFFS ON CANADIAN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM IN THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE ONGOING TRADE WAR. THE PLANNED 25% TAX ON METAL IMPORTS, WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY, WILL NOW RISE TO 50%. THE U.S. IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST IMPORTER OF ALUMINIUM AND SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF STEEL. IT COMES IN RESPONSE TO CANADA'S 25% TARIFF ON ELECTRICITY EXPORTED TO THE U.S., ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY. A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER A CARGO SHIP COLLIDED WITH AN OIL TANKER OFF ENGLAND'S NORTHEAST COAST. THE 59-YEAR-OLD WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE HOMICIDE, AFTER THE SEARCH FOR ONE MISSING CREW MEMBER WAS CALLED OFF. LOCAL POLICE SAY A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION IS UNDERWAY. MEANWHILE, AUTHORITIES ARE STILL WORKING TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE ABOARD THE CARGO SHIP. DIPLOMATIC TALKS OVER ENDING THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE TAKING PLACE TODAY IN FRANCE AND SAUDI ARABIA. EUROPEAN AND COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE LEADERS HAVE JUST SAT DOWN IN PARIS TO DRAW UP A PEACE PLAN. IN JEDDAH, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ARE MEETING WITH THE U.S IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE MILITARY SUPPORT AND AID. MEANWHILE, THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED OVERNIGHT IN A DRONE ATTACK ON MOSCOW. MILITANTS IN PAKISTAN HAVE HIJACKED A TRAIN AND TAKEN MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ONBOARD HOSTAGE IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHWEST. THE TRAIN, WHICH WAS CARRYING AROUND 500 PASSENGERS, WAS PASSING THROUGH THE BALOCHISTAN PROVINCE WHEN THE SEPARATIST MILITANTS BLEW UP THE TRACK AND FIRED ON THE TRAIN. THE BALICK LIBERATION ARMY SAYS IT WILL EXECUTE HOSTAGES IF SECURITY FORCES DO NOT RETREAT. NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL PLAYER EMME SHEARER HAS BEEN NAMED IN THE TALL FERNS SQUAD, SET TO TAKE ON AUSTRALIA IN MAY'S TRANS-TASMAN SERIES. THE 22-YEAR-OLD HAS JUST PLAYED HER 154th GAME FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND IN THE TOP U.S. WOMEN'S COLLEGE LEAGUE ` A NEW RECORD FOR ANY KIWI PLAYER. SHEARER TOLD 1 NEWS SHE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO PULLING ON THE BLACK JERSEY AGAIN, AFTER MAKING HER INTERNATIONAL DEBUT IN 2019. IT WILL DEFINITELY BE DIFFERENT BUT I AM JUST EXCITED TO LEARN A LOT AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I AM GIVEN, AND AM TRAINING THE BEST I CAN TO HELP THE TEAM. THE TALL FERNS WILL TAKE ON THE OPALS IN ADELAIDE, THE SUNSHINE COAST, BEFORE RETURNING TO HAMILTON ` THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE BEEN ON HOME TURF IN FIVE YEARS. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (GROOVY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` PARTLY CLOUDY ` WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR HAMILTON. 21 FOR PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY, RISING TO A GALE, LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR NELSON. 13 IN INVERCARGILL. LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE IS MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING WITH OUR TEAM OF REPORTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE CALLS FOR AN AMALGAMATION OF COUNCILS IN THE CAPITAL. JAMES FLEURY JOINS US NOW. MORENA, JAMES. GOOD MORNING, CHRIS. THE WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS ISSUED FRESH CALLS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, AFTER THE REGION FAILED TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR THE CITY REGIONAL DEAL. COUNCILS WILL HAVE TO WORK ALONGSIDE OTHER COUNCILS IN THE REGION TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND SUBMIT IT BY THE END OF LAST MONTH, AND 18 REGIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY MANAGED TO DO SO, EXCEPT FOR WELLINGTON, WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CLAIMING THAT THIS MEANS IT WILL BE REALLY DIFFICULT FOR THE REGION TO TACKLE THOSE CITY NEEDS AND UNLOCK FUNDING WHICH IS CRITICAL FOR THE AREA, ESPECIALLY WITH A WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE MOMENT. THE PRIME MINISTER CLAIMS THAT THIS DECISION IS LAME-O. THE MARE HAS RESPONDED AND SAID THAT WELLINGTON IS STICKING WITH ITS OWN TIMELINE AND IS DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE REGION. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THIS ALL JUSTIFIES AN AMALGAMATION OF THOSE COUNCILS ACROSS THE REGION, SAYING THAT THIS WILL PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE NOT GONE FORWARD WITH THIS DEAL, A LOT OF PRESSURE ON RATEPAYERS AND IT WILL ALSO MEAN THAT FUNDING WILL NOT BE UNLOCKED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS. ANOTHER WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED ABOUT INVASIVE CAULERPA SEAWEED FOUND IN THE NORTH ISLAND. LUCY BENDELL JOINS US. WHAT'S THE THREAT ON NEW ZEALAND'S MARINE LIFE? GOOD MORNING. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS EXCURSIONS IN NEW ZEALAND WITH THE POTENTIAL TO AFFECT THE WHOLE MARINE FOOD CHAIN, BY SMOTHERING THAT SEA LIFE. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE TWO SPECIES OF THE SEAWEED FOUND IN THE NORTH ISLAND, AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURES IT IS QUITE A THICK GREEN SUBSTANCE. IT IS DESCRIBED AS THICK AS ASTROTURF. THAT STRANGLES THE SEA LIFE UNDERNEATH. AUCKLAND COUNCIL SAYS IT IS CRITICAL FOR ALL AUCKLAND IS, FROM BOAT USERS TO BEACHGOERS, TO RECOGNISE THIS INVASIVE MARINE PEST. IT IS CURRENTLY FOUND IN A NUMBER OF GULF LOCATIONS. THEY ARE URGING ALL PEOPLE TO AVOID THIS AREA, AND IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING BY BOAT DO NOT ANCHOR DOWN BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THIS PEST CAN SPREAD. ALSO AVOID FISHING IN THE AREA. THE MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES ARE RESPONDING TO THIS THREAT AND THEY ARE WORKING TO LOCATE MORE OF THIS THREAT, AND THEN REMOVE IT. THEY SAY IT COULD TAKE A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS TO COMPLETELY ERADICATE IT, AND THEY SAY IF YOU DO SPOT IT IN ANY LOCATIONS NOT OF NOTE PLEASE REPORT THAT TO BIO SECURITY NEW ZEALAND. AFTER WEEKS OF UNCERTAINTY AROUND A SPEED LIMIT INCREASE, NELSON RESIDENTS FINALLY HAVE AN ANSWER. LET'S BRING IN CHARLOTTE MULDER. WHAT DO WE KNOW? GOOD MORNING, CHRIS. WELL, THE NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORT AGENCY HAS ANNOUNCED A CONSULTATION WILL BE HELD FOR NELSON RESIDENCE ON THE CURRENT SPEED LIMIT REVERSAL, WHICH WOULD BE HAPPENING ON THE 1.8 STRIP ALONG THEIR STATE HIGHWAY SIX CURRENTLY. IT IS ALL PART OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR, DOING MULTIPLE SPEED LIMIT REVERSAL IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO MAKE TRAVELLING EASIER AND SAFER FOR MOTORISTS. BUT IT HAS HAD A LOT OF BACKLASH FROM MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE NELSON COMMUNITY, WHO DID NOT WANT ANY INCREASE PAST THE MARYLAND SUBURBS. ONE NELSON MP IS ALSO SAYING IT WILL BE A BIG WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY TO GO THROUGH THIS WHOLE CONSULTATION. JUST TO HAVE THE SPEED LIMIT REVERSAL STAY THE SAME, AT 60 KM/H. AS IT IS CURRENTLY. CURRENTLY IT ALSO WANTS TO GO FROM 60 KM/H TO 80, HAS PER HOUR, AND THEY GOT IT CHANGED AT THE END OF 2020, SO THAT WOULD ALSO BE WHAT SHE CALLED A WASTE OF TIME. THE CONSULTATION IS TO BEGIN IN THE NEXT COMING DAYS, AND RUN FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKS, AND IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ENDING BEFORE DIE FIRST WHEN THOSE SPEED LIMIT REVERSALS ARE MEANT TO COME INTO PLACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CHRIS. THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE. A DANGEROUS OPIOID MAY BE CIRCULATING THE WAIRARAPA REGION DISGUISED AS COCAINE. THREE PEOPLE FELL ILL AFTER TAKING THE SUBSTANCE IN TINUI NEAR MASTERTON, AND WHILE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY, POLICE HAVE NOT YET TRACKED DOWN THE SOURCE OF THE DRUG. HERE'S DETECTIVE INSPECTOR JOHN VAN DEN HEUVEL. WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. WE'RE INTERVIEWING THE PEOPLE CONCERNED AND THEIR ASSOCIATES AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. UM, OUR, UH` OUR FOCUS OF THE INVESTIGATION IS TO IDENTIFY THE SUPPLIER OF THIS PARTICULAR DRUG. THE DRUG FOUNDATION HAS PUT OUT AN ALERT, WARNING THE POWDER COULD CONTAIN HIGHLY POTENT NITAZENES OR FENTANYL, AND IF PEOPLE MISTAKE IT FOR COCAINE, THEY ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR EVEN DEATH. SARAH HELM FROM THE DRUG FOUNDATION JOINS US NOW. MORENA, SARAH. GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE PROGRAM. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS SUBSTANCE SO FAR, AND ARE WE SURE THAT IT IS AN OPIOID? LOOK, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE SUBSTANCE IS. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERLINE. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT THE AFFECTED PEOPLE RESPONDED REALLY WELL TO OPIOID REVERSAL MEDICATION. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TYPE OF OPIOID IT WAS, BUT THE THINKING IS THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A SYNTHETIC OPIATE AND IT IS A REALLY GOOD REMINDER THAT THOSE RISKS CONTINUE TO BE PRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME A SUBSTANCE HAS BEEN MISLABELLED AS COCAINE. HOW CLOSE IS THIS TO THE 2022 FENTANYL INCIDENT? THERE IS NO SUGGESTION THAT THESE EVENTS ARE NECESSARILY LINKED. WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD OPIOID OVERDOSES AND NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT POTENT OPIOIDS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, SO IT IS CERTAINLY NOT A SINGULAR INCIDENT. IT IS REMINISCENT OF THAT AND A REALLY GOOD REMINDER TO US ALL THAT THERE ARE SOMETIMES THESE POTENT SUBSTANCES IN CIRCULATION. ALL I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU IS WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF PEOPLE UNKNOWINGLY TAKING OPIOIDS, AND WHY DOES THIS SEEM TO BE, AND YOU CAN CORRECT ME, AND WHY DOES THIS SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE FOR REGIONAL AREAS? WHAT I WOULD SAY, OVER MANY YEARS NOW, SINCE THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT, BUT IN THE LAST EQUAL TO SAY, WE HAVE SEEN A RAMPING UP OF SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND OF NEW AND INCREASED VOLUME OVER THAT TIME. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR EARLY WARNING SYSTEM, THE FACT THAT WE CAN HAVE A NOTIFICATION COME OUT. WE HAD THIS WONDERFUL SYSTEM HIGH ALERT, IT IS GOVERNMENT BASED BUT WE ARE INVOLVED IN IT. THAT LOOKS ACROSS THE WHOLE SYSTEM, AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR THESE INTERVENTIONS, WE WOULD NOT BE STAVING OFF THE KIND OF OVERDOSE FATALITIES WERE SEEN AROUND THE WORLD. WE LOSE AROUND THREE NEW ZEALANDERS A WEEK TO OVERDOSE SO THERE IS MUCH MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SYSTEM, AND I THINK I DID NOT ANSWER THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION. MOVING ON TO THAT, AROUND HARM REDUCTION AND HOW PEOPLE CAN KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE, AND WE HAVE HOMEGROWN THIS WEEKEND, PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP TAKING IT BECAUSE OF THIS. HOW CAN PEOPLE BE MORE CAUTIOUS? THAT IS RIGHT. FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUT IT AWAY AND GET RID OF STUFF, BUT FOR MOST PEOPLE DRUG CHECKING HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE INTERVENTION. THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD POINT TO IN THIS CASE IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE SUBSTANCE IS. WE REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THEIR DRUGS CHECKED IF THEY CAN, WE ALSO HAVE ON THE LEVEL, A WEBSITE WITH ALL THOSE DRUG CHECKING CLINICS ON IT. THIS WEEKEND, IT IS HOMEGROWN IN WELLINGTON AND WE ARE OF COURSE NERVOUS. WE HAD NOT HAD ANY MORE HARM EVENTS SINCE THE EVENTS OF THE WEEKEND, BUT THERE WILL BE A DRUG CHECKING CLINIC. KNOW YOUR STAFF ARE RUNNING AT AT OUR OFFICE JUST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM HOMEGROWN ON FRIDAY FROM 4 PM TILL 8 PM. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY THERE. FINALLY, AND AGAIN THIS IS A POTENTIAL ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE, ARE WE SEEING AN INCREASE IN SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS? THE UNITED NATIONS HAS PUT OUT A WARNING ABOUT THIS. OF COURSE. WE NEED TO LOOK AT EVERY TOOL WE POSSIBLY CAN TO KEEP NEW ZEALANDERS SAFE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. THE REALLY GOOD SUPPORT WE HAVE HAD AND RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY IS GREAT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SEEING THE KIND OF EFFECTS WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE DITCH IN AUSTRALIA, AND EUROPE, ET CETERA, OF THIS GROWTH IN SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS. WE KNOW THAT NORTH AMERICA IS LOSING SO MANY PEOPLE, AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEM THAT I WOULD WHOLEHEARTEDLY SAY THAT I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR IT. WE KNOW THE GOVERNMENT IS INCREASING PENALTIES FOR FENTANYL RELATED DRUGS. IT IS TOUGHER LAWS ACTUALLY GOING TO REDUCE HARM? I THINK THAT CHANGE WAS MORE OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE ONE. THEY DO THIS EVERY YEAR. THE PRESS RELEASE READ IN A PARTICULAR WAY, BUT THERE ARE NEW DRUGS SCHEDULED UNDER THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT VERY REGULARLY SO I THINK IT IS MORE JUST ADDRESSING NEW SUBSTANCES. THIS IS JUST ROUTINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR TIME. E WHAI AKE NEI ` IF YOU'RE ABOUT TO POP SOME BREAD IN THE TOASTER, LISTEN UP. EVER WONDERED WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHOLEMEAL AND WHOLEGRAIN BREAD? WE'LL EXPLAIN ALL AFTER THE BREAK. I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS CHAT. # MAYBE IT IS THE LOVING AND YOUR EYES. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` THE TRADE WAR CONTINUES TO DEEPEN. AS U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS STATED HE WILL DOUBLE HIS METAL TARIFFS ON CANADA AND THREATENED TO IMPOSE LEVIES ON ITS CAR INDUSTRY. DIPLOMATIC TALKS OVER ENDING THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE TAKING PLACE TODAY IN FRANCE AND SAUDI ARABIA. ARMED PAKISTAN MILITANTS HAVE STORMED A TRAIN CARRYING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, TAKING MULTIPLE HOSTAGES, WITH THREE PEOPLE INCLUDING THE DRIVER INJURED IN THE ATTACK. BREAD IS A PANTRY STAPLE, BUT WITH SO MANY OPTIONS, LIKE WHOLEMEAL, WHOLEGRAIN, MULTIGRAIN OR JUST PLAIN WHITE BREAD IT CAN BE HARD TO KNOW WHICH ONE IS THE HEALTHIEST. THANKFULLY, NUTRITIONIST DOCTOR CLIFF HARVEY IS WITH US TO BREAK IT DOWN. MORENA, DOCTOR. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHOLEMEAL AND WHOLE-GRAIN? THERE IS A BIT OF AMBIGUITY THERE, BECAUSE SOME THINGS MIGHT BE LABELLED WHOLEMEAL, OR WHOLE-GRAIN, DERIVED FROM WHOLEMEAL, BUT THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED DEFINITION IS THAT WHOLE-GRAIN IS WHEN THERE ARE ACTUALLY WHOLE GRAINS, OR CLOSE TO. WHOLEMEAL IS WHEN IT HAS BEEN MILLED DOWN TO A FLOWER FROM WHOLE GRAINS. AS THE RULE OF THUMB THAT GRAINIER THE BETTER? YES, THERE IS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHITE BREAD IS NO GOOD. HOW BAD IS IT FOR YOU? IT IS A TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IN THE RESEARCH IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REFINED GRAINS, OR REFINED WHITE BREAD, AND WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD. I DO NOT WANT TO SAY THERE ARE GOOD OR BAD FOODS, IT IS ABOUT THE DIETARY PACKAGE. IF WE LOOKING AT A SUBSTITUTION, PEOPLE ARE BETTER OFF CHOOSING A WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD WE CAN SEE THOSE VISIBLE AND INTACT GRAINS BECAUSE THAT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HIGHER AMOUNTS OF NUTRIENTS, MORE FIBRE, PROMOTE BETTER BLOOD SUGAR RESPONSES AND IT IS LINKED TO BETTER LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES. WHEN YOU SEE WHOLE-GRAIN AND HIGH-FIBRE ON THE PACKAGING IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? GENERALLY, IF IT HAS HIGH-FIBRE THAT WILL BE BETTER. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE BREAD YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THOSE WHOLE GRAINS THAT WILL BE A BETTER INDICATION OF ITS HEALTH QUALITIES AS OPPOSED TO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE LABEL. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT LABELLING CAN BE MISLEADING SOMETIMES. IF WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE VARIETIES, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT? WHEN IT SAYS WHOLE-GRAIN IT IS GENERALLY A PRETTY GOOD INDICATION THAT THERE ARE WHOLE GRAINS OR IT IS AT LEAST MADE FROM WHOLE-GRAIN FLOUR, AND THAT INCLUDES THE BRAN AND THE GERM. WITH THOSE YOU WILL HAVE HIGHER AMOUNTS OF NUTRIENTS. ONCE YOU OPEN UP THE BREAD BAG, AND IF YOU CAN SEE THOSE GRAINS THERE, IT WILL BE A BETTER CHOICE THAN THE REFINED WHITE STUFF. WHILE YOU CAN'T OPEN THE BAG AT THE SUPERMARKET SO WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TIP TO PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THE HEALTHIEST BREAD? I WOULD GENERALLY LOOK FOR THE WHOLE-GRAIN. IF IT SAYS THAT IT IS MADE FROM WHOLE-GRAIN THAT WILL BE BETTER THAN SOMETHING THAT JUST AS WHITE BREAD. THERE ARE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, SOME PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY BETTER OFF CHOOSING WHITE BREAD BUT THOSE ARE VERY RARE MEDICAL SITUATIONS. THERE ARE SOME UNIQUE BREADS YOU CAN GET BAKERIES, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THOSE OVER THE SUPERMARKET ONES? I WOULD SAY BAKERIES DO GENERALLY DO BETTER BREADS. BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HIGHER TURNOVER SO THEY MAKE BREADS QUICKER AND THEY HAVE A SHORTER SHELFLIFE. I WOULD TEND TO GO FOR A BAKERY BREAD MORE OFTEN. A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE THOUGH, ISN'T IT? WE HAVE WELL AND TRULY TRAVERSED THE SUBJECT OF BREAD. WHOLEMEAL ` IS THAT OK? IT IS A CONTINUUM WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHITE, WHOLEMEAL AND THEN WHOLE-GRAIN. WHOLEMEAL IS MADE FROM THE WHOLE GRAINS, BUT THE PARTICLE SIZE ACTUALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO HOW OUR BODY DIGESTS IT. THE BIGGER THE PARTICLE SIZE THE BETTER. I EAT WHOLEMEAL, AND THEN I WENT AND COULD NOT FIND ANY AT THE LOCAL DAIRY SO I ENDED UP WITH A WHOLEMEAL DAIRY FREE, GLUTEN-FREE BREAD. I ACTUALLY REALLY LIKE IT. THE THINGS YOU STUMBLE ACROSS... THE TROUBLE IS GETTING THE KIDS TO EAT IT. YOU JUST PUT LOTS OF BUTTER ON. I JUST LAUGH AT EVERYTHING FREE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US. ME U TONU MAI ` WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK WITH YOUR 6.30 NEWS. PLUS, WHAT THE HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS HOPES FROM FRESH TALKS. # CLOSE TO YOU. WE CHATTED TO CLIFF HARDY ABOUT HOW WHOLE GRAIN BREAD IS BETTER. BECAUSE, WHAT? THE GRAINS ARE BETTER FOR YOU. I RAN OUT TO HIM, BECAUSE SOURDOUGH IS A REAL THING, LIKE DURING LOCKDOWN. I ASKED IF IT WAS ACTUALLY BETTER FOR YOU, AND HE SAID IT IS BECAUSE THE FERMENTATION PROCESS, THE LONGER IT IS, THE BETTER IT IS. WHOLE-GRAIN SOURDOUGH IS BETTER BUT HE ALSO SAID THAT BECAUSE IT IS CHEWY, THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT... IT HELPS WITH YOUR SATIETY LEVELS. IT'S THE PROCESS, ISN'T IT, THE MASTICATING? YES. WHY SAY THAT? JUST REMINDS ME OF A COW. COVERING ALL THE BASES TODAY. THANKS, JENNY-MAY. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE'LL DOUBLE THE TARIFFS ON CANADIAN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM IN THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE ONGOING TRADE WAR. THE PLANNED 25% TAX ON METAL IMPORTS WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY WILL NOW RISE TO 50%. THE U.S IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST IMPORTER OF ALUMINIUM AND SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF STEEL. IT COMES IN RESPONSE TO CANADA'S 25% TARIFF ON ELECTRICITY EXPORTED TO THE U.S., ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY. DIPLOMATIC TALKS OVER ENDING THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE TAKING PLACE TODAY IN FRANCE AND SAUDI ARABIA. EUROPEAN AND COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE LEADERS HAVE JUST SAT DOWN IN PARIS TO DRAW UP A PEACE PLAN. IN JEDDAH, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ARE LOCKED IN AN HOURS-LONG-MEETING WITH THE U.S. IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE MILITARY SUPPORT AND AID. MEANWHILE, THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED OVERNIGHT IN UKRAINE'S BIGGEST EVER DRONE ATTACK ON MOSCOW. THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES HAS BEEN FLOWN TO THE HAGUE AFTER BEING ARRESTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AT AN AIRPORT IN MANILA. RODRIGO DUTERTE HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DURING HIS ANTI-DRUG CRACKDOWN WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE. IT'S ESTIMATED UP TO 30,000 PEOPLE DIED IN EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS OVERSEEN BY THE NOW 79-YEAR-OLD. BACK HERE, AUCKLAND COUNCIL ARE WARNING OF THE IMPACT OF INVASIVE CAULERPA, URGING BOAT USERS TO AVOID SOME AREAS. THE EXOTIC SEAWEED IS FOUND IN A NUMBER OF HAURAKI GULF MARINE PARK LOCATIONS, INCLUDING AOTEA GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, WHANGAPARAOA HARBOUR AND WAIHEKE ISLAND. THE COUNCIL IS URGING PEOPLE TO NOT ANCHOR AND FISH IN THESE AREAS, AND REPORT IT IF SPOTTED IN OTHER LOCATIONS, AS MPI MONITOR THE SPREAD, AS IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPACT THE WHOLE MARINE FOOD CHAIN. THE WARRIORS ARE STICKING WITH LUKE METCALF IN THE HALVES FOR THIS WEEKEND'S CLASH AGAINST MANLY. UP THE WAHS. AN UNCHANGED SQUAD HAS BEEN NAMED FOR THE WARRIORS' FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON AFTER THEIR LOSS TO THE RAIDERS. COACH ANDREW WEBSTER SAYS THE MANLY GAME IS A CHANCE FOR THE PLAYERS TO RIGHT THE WRONGS FROM VEGAS. THE GAME KICKS OFF AT 8pm AT MOUNT SMART. UP THE WAHS. CELEBRATING 30 YEARS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` PARTLY CLOUDY ` WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 21 FOR TE PAPAIOEA PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY, RISING TO A GALE, LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR WHAKATU NELSON. 13 IN WAIHOPAI INVERCARGILL. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT META IS TAKING LEGAL ACTION OVER A BOOK WRITTEN BY A NEW ZEALANDER IT SAYS CONTAINS UNTRUE AND DEFAMATORY INFORMATION. SARAH WYNN-WILLIAMS WAS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE AT THE COMPANY AND MAKES A NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS IN THE MEMOIR, INCLUDING AROUND FACEBOOK'S APPROACH TO TEEN USERS. THE BBC'S KATIE RAZZALL HAS MORE. SARAH WYNN-WILLIAMS JOINED FACEBOOK IN 2011 AND FOR SEVEN YEARS SAYS SHE HAD A RINGSIDE SEAT ON ITS RISE, WORKING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND WORLD LEADERS AND GETTING TO KNOW HER BOSS ALONG THE WAY, ON COMPANY, PRIVATE JETS AND WORK TRIPS ABROAD. SHE'S NOW WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT HER TIME AT THE COMPANY. ONE OF HER CLAIMS IS THAT REPORTS IN AN AUSTRALIAN PAPER IN 2017 THAT FACEBOOK WAS OFFERING ADVERTISERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TARGET 13- TO 17-YEAR-OLDS WHEN THEY WERE EMOTIONALLY VULNERABLE, DENIED BY THE COMPANY AT THE TIME, WERE RIGHT. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, SAY A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL DELETES HER SELFIE. YOU KNOW, TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE; DOESN'T WANT THAT ON THE INTERNET. LOOKS AT IT, FEELS A BIT GROSS. FACEBOOK NOT ONLY HAD THE CAPABILITY TO GO TO SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, A BEAUTY ADVERTISING SALE. HERE'S A REALLY GOOD TIME TO TARGET THIS 13-YEAR-OLD WITH A BEAUTY ADVERTISEMENT. AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN DOCUMENTATION TO THAT EFFECT. DOCUMENTS THE BBC HAS SEEN SUGGEST THIS RESEARCH WAS BEING DONE, BUT THOSE DOCUMENTS DON'T SHOW THAT IT WAS USED TO PLACE ADVERTS. META TOLD THE BBC FACEBOOK... WAS THERE CONCERN INSIDE THE COMPANY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA, FOR EXAMPLE, ON YOUNG CHILDREN? THIS HASN'T BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THE COMPANY TO SOLVE. YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE COMPANIES IN THE WORLD. THEY COULD INVEST IN THIS AND MAKE IT A REAL PRIORITY AND DO MORE TO FIX IT. META SAYS IT'S RESPONDED TO PARENTS' FEARS WITH NEW PRODUCTS TO PROTECT TEENS, INCLUDING LIMITS TO THE CONTENT THEY SEE. YOU'RE A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE WITH AN AXE TO GRIND, AREN'T YOU? NOT AT ALL. I'M SOMEONE WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT THIS COMPANY AND THINKS IT CAN DO BETTER. META TOLD US THAT YOU WERE TERMINATED IN 2017, AND AN INVESTIGATION AT THAT TIME FOUND YOU MADE FALSE CLAIMS. SO I REALLY WISH THEY WOULD TELL THE TRUTH. THAT WAS ACTUALLY AN INVESTIGATION I INSTIGATED AROUND SOME BEHAVIOURAL EXPERIENCE FROM MY BOSS. META TOLD THE BBC SARA WYNN-WILLIAMS WAS FIRED FOR POOR PERFORMANCE AND TOXIC BEHAVIOUR AFTER SHE HAD MADE MISLEADING AND UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT. SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO PULL BACK THE CURTAIN ON ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD. SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS THERE. WE WERE TALKING AT THE START OF THE SHOW ABOUT WHAT SONGS ELICIT STRONG MEMORIES FOR YOU. AS A WAY OF GETTING TO KNOW SOMEONE, WHERE YOU DON'T ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR UPBRINGING, BUT YOU ASK THEM ABOUT WHAT SONGS THEY FIND MEMORABLE. YOU FIND OUT AHEAD OF A LOT MORE ABOUT PEOPLE, THEY ARE MORE WILLING TO TELL YOU ABOUT... POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS. IT ALSO CITED AS REVELATION ABOUT AGE GAP RELATIONSHIPS. SONGS AND CLOSE OF ONE DECADE DON'T RESONATE WITH OTHER. I JUST THOUGHT, LOOK, I AM GOING TO THE RIGHT OUT TO THE TEAM. IT TURNED INTO A GROUP THERAPY SESSION. I THINK WE CAN ALL PROBABLY DO THAT AT SOME POINT... IT IS SO ANNOYING, ISN'T IT. WHEN YOU HAVE A SOUL THAT YOU LOVE BUT YOU ASSOCIATE IT WITH SOMEONE THAT IS BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN BEAUTIFUL ONES LIKE THIS, IS IT BASS HUNTER? 'NOW YOU'RE GONE'. HIS FIRST CONCERT. MAMBO NUMBER 5 IS THE SONG OF OUR FRIENDSHIP GROUP. WE MADE THE MUSIC VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE ARE STILL VERY TIGHT. I LOVE THAT. HER SISTER AND HER USE TO PRACTICE IT ON THE UKULELE FOR HER PARENTS SELECTED HAVE ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM. THIS IS HOW DEEP WE ARE GOING. THERE ARE A LOT OF SONGS PEOPLE LISTEN TO IN THE CAR OR THEY REMEMBER` I REMEMBER GOING TO SCHOOL, OUR DAD DRIVING US, TOMORROW KERRY, FANTASY ALBUM. *MARIAH CAREY I CAN VIVIDLY REMEMBER GOING DOWN TO SCHOOL WITH THE SONGS. BECAUSE BACK THEN, THEY COULD ONLY HOLD SO MANY CDS, AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE FIVE CDs OR TAPES. YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH VARIETY. YOU HAVE TO RELY ON THAT CORE GROUP OF CDS. MY ONE WAS BOYZ II MEN, END OF THE ROAD. EVERY NIGHT CLUB IN HAMILTON PLAY THAT IS THEIR LAST SONG. TO THE BITTER END, EVERY TIME. HEARD IT QUITE A LOT IN OUR 20S. MAYBE IT REMINDS YOU OF A REALLY HAPPY TIME OR A SONG THAT YOU JUST CAN'T LISTEN TO ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THAT GUY OR THAT GIRL, HONESTLY. ME U TONU MAI ` AS UKRAINE AND RUSSIA SIT DOWN WITH THE U.S. FOR TALKS, WHY A CHANGE OF MINDSET MIGHT BE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE PEACE. (MELLOW MUSIC) HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` A DANGEROUS OPIOID MAY BE CIRCULATING THE WAIRARAPA REGION DISGUISED AS COCAINE, AFTER THREE PEOPLE FELL ILL AFTER TAKING THE SUBSTANCE. AUCKLAND COUNCIL ARE WARNING OF THE IMPACT OF INVASIVE CAULERPA V, URGING BOAT USERS TO AVOID SOME AREAS. AND THE WARRIORS ARE STICKING WITH LUKE METCALF IN THE HALVES FOR THIS WEEKEND'S CLASH AGAINST MANLY. IT IS 6:45. UKRAINIAN AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS HAVE HELD TALKS IN SAUDI ARABIA DESCRIBED AS 'CONSTRUCTIVE' BY THE UKRAINIANS AND 'GETTING THERE' BY THE U.S. SECURITY ADVISOR. AMID THESE DEVELOPMENTS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS, PAUL GROD, IS IN AUSTRALIA TO MEET WITH OFFICIALS. I SPOKE WITH HIM EARLIER AND BEGAN BY ASKING ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS. SO, THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS IS A GLOBAL NGO ` A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION ` WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER UKRAINIAN COMMUNITIES IN OVER 80 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. TODAY, THE UKRAINIAN DIASPORA ` AS IT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO ` ARE WELL OVER 25 MILLION UKRAINIANS LIVING OUTSIDE UKRAINE. AND JUST SINCE THE FULL-SCALE INVASION OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FIVE TO SEVEN MILLION UKRAINIANS WERE FORCED TO FLEE UKRAINE. AND SO OUR ROLE AS A COMMUNITY ORGANISATION IS TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS, AND THEIR INTERESTS TODAY ARE SEEING THAT UKRAINE IS ABLE TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIA'S FULL-SCALE INVASION. YEAH, SO, IN TERMS OF YOUR VISIT TO AUSTRALIA, WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SEND TO PEOPLE, BUT ALSO TO AUSTRALIAN LEADERS AS WELL? FIRST OFF, THE MESSAGE IS TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA, AS IT IS TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND, WHICH I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO VISIT SHORTLY OR SOON, IS TO THANK THEM ` THANK THEM FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE, FOR THOSE REFUGEES WHO WERE FORCED TO FLEE, FOR THE CONTINUED POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY SUPPORT THAT YOU'RE GIVING TO UKRAINE. IT'S THANKS TO THAT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT THAT UKRAINE HAS BEEN ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE SECOND LARGEST ARMY IN THE WORLD AND HAS ABLE TO PUT UP A VERY VALIANT DEFENCE. SO THE FIRST IS TO THANK THEM. NUMBER TWO IS TO ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING UKRAINE. AND WE'RE SEEING A VERY TUMULTUOUS TIME IN GEOPOLITICS WHERE UKRAINE'S LARGEST ALLY, UH, STRONGEST ALLY IN TERMS OF FIREPOWER THAT IS, UH, IS NOW WAVERING. AND IT'S VERY, VERY TROUBLING. AND THAT'S WHY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR MIDDLE POWERS LIKE AUSTRALIA, LIKE NEW ZEALAND, LIKE CANADA, LIKE THE UK TO COME TOGETHER WITH THEIR EUROPEAN PARTNERS TO SHORE UP UKRAINE AND ENSURE THAT UKRAINE DOESN'T FEEL ABANDONED AND ISN'T FORCED TO ACCEPT A UNJUST PEACE. I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PEACE TALKS THAT ARE GOING ON IN SAUDI ARABIA SHORTLY, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER NATIONS THAT CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT UKRAINE. OUR PRIME MINISTER, CHRISTOPHER LUXON, HAS SAID THAT NEW ZEALAND IS OPEN TO SENDING PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO UKRAINE. WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS? FIRST OFF, I VERY MUCH WELCOME THAT AND I WANTED TO THANK PRIME MINISTER LUXTON, BUT ALSO OPPOSITION LEADER HIPKINS FOR SUPPORTING THAT. BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, AND I THINK IN MANY IF NOT MOST, UH, COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, IN PARTICULAR CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, YOU'VE SEEN THAT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THERE'S NO LIGHT BETWEEN THEM. AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND DEMONSTRATE THEIR SUPPORT FOR, QUITE FRANKLY, THE COALITION OF THE WILLING THAT KEIR STARMER IS PUTTING TOGETHER AND LEADING, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF DEPLOYING TROOPS TO HELP AS PEACEKEEPERS, IF AND WHEN A PEACE DEAL IS ARRANGED. YEAH, AND I ALSO KNOW THAT NEW ZEALAND HAS PROVIDED MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN AID. IS THERE ANYTHING MORE, AS A COUNTRY, THAT WE COULD BE DOING? WELL, AND ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THE MANY VOLUNTEERS ` THE NEW ZEALAND NGO'S VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE TRAVELLED TO UKRAINE. IN FACT, THERE IS A HANDFUL THAT HAS PERISHED IN UKRAINE. AND SO I WANT TO THANK THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THAT ULTIMATE CONTRIBUTION. SO, THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND HAVE BOTH OPENED UP THEIR HOMES TO REFUGEES, BUT ALSO HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS IN SUPPORTING UKRAINE AND THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE. UKRAINE IS WINNING, IN THE SENSE THAT UKRAINE HAS STOOD UP TO THE SECOND LARGEST ARMY IN THE WORLD. THEY'RE DEFENDING THEIR HOMES AGAINST RUSSIA'S ONSLAUGHT, AND WE SAW IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR WHEN TERRITORIES WERE LIBERATED, HOW THE RUSSIANS WERE TORTURING, RAPING AND KILLING UKRAINIANS, AND THERE IS A GENOCIDE HAPPENING THERE. AND THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T LET UKRAINE FAIL, BECAUSE THE OPTION TO` IF UKRAINE IS FORCED TO CAPITULATE, WHICH THEY WON'T, THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE ARE BRAVE AND THEY SEE WHAT LIVING UNDER RUSSIAN RULE LOOKS LIKE. AND SO WE NEED MORE SUPPORT, WE NEED MORE MILITARY SUPPORT, WE NEED THOSE COMMITMENTS TO THIS COALITION OF THE WILLING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT HAS THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT. UKRAINE RIGHT NOW NEEDS, AS I SAID, THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND THE MILITARY SUPPORT. THEY WILL DO THE REST. IF THEY HAD THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEEDED THREE YEARS AGO, THIS WAR WOULD HAVE WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER MUCH LONGER AGO. I JUST WONDER WHETHER WE CAN FINISH OFF BY MOVING ON TO THOSE U.S.-UKRAINE PEACE TALKS THAT ARE GOING ON IN SAUDI ARABIA. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THOSE TALKS? HOW CRUCIAL ARE THEY FOR UKRAINE'S FUTURE? YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ` AND I'VE VISITED NINE TIMES SINCE THE FULL-SCALE INVASION, AND I'M IN REGULARLY IN CONTACT WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, NGO AND CIVIL SOCIETY ` PEOPLE WANT TO SEE AN END OF THE ALMOST DAILY BOMBINGS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THAT THE UKRAINIAN CIVILIANS ARE BEING BOMBED ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THEY WANT A STOP TO THAT, BUT THEY'RE NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT FOR CAPITULATION TO RUSSIA'S DEMANDS, WHICH ARE BASICALLY FOR UKRAINE TO BECOME A VASSAL OF RUSSIA. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT BRINGS. SO, WHAT WE'RE HOPING IS THAT THE U.S. SIDE WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE, WILL REALISE THAT RUSSIA IS THE AGGRESSOR, AND UKRAINE IS THE VICTIM, AND WILL STAND TOGETHER WITH THE VICTIM AGAINST RUSSIAN IMPERIALISM, WHICH WE'RE SEEING TODAY. PAUL, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME OUT FROM YOUR AUSTRALIAN VISIT TO SPEAK TO US HERE IN AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND. PAUL GROD, PRESIDENT OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS. THANK YOU. PLEASURE. THANK YOU. E HAERE AKE NEI ` THE WILDFIRE RISK REMAINS HIGH FOR MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. NEXT, HOW DELIBERATELY LIT FIRES COULD HELP PROTECT US IN THE FUTURE. # SWEET LOVING, LOVING. #YOUR SWEET LOVING, LOVING. VOICEOVER: Beautiful, isn't it? Not the grandeur of large rocks or the tranquility of the stream, but that thing that happens inside when we're outside. Out there we become morning people. We find peace. Connection. Meaning. (WOMAN SCREAMS) You'll find a lot when you don't know what you're looking for. # SOME DAYS, I WANT TO SAIL AWAY. FIRES ARE BEING DELIBERATELY LIT IN CANTERBURY. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO HEAR, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE, IT'S ALL FOR SCIENCE. FIREFIGHTERS AND RESEARCHERS ARE LIGHTING CONTROLLED FIRES ON PADDOCKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR OF WILDFIRES. CROWN RESEARCH INSTITUTE 'SCION' IS RUNNING THE EXPERIMENT IN DARFIELD UNTIL FRIDAY. U.S. FOREST RESEARCHER MARK FINNEY IS PART OF THE OPERATION AND JOINS US NOW. GOOD MORNING. HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND HOW FIRES BEHAVE? FIRE BEHAVIOUR IS KEY TO BEING SAFE AROUND FIRE, TO BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT MANAGING FIRE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE LIMITATIONS OF PUTTING ALL OUR EFFORTS INTO EMERGENCY RESPONSE. IT IS FAR MORE EFFICIENT IN ORDER TO MITIGATE FUTURE FIRES RATHER THAN TO RESPOND TO THEM. HAS THE NEED FOR THIS BECOME MORE PRESSING WITH WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN INCREASE IN THESE INSTANCES AROUND THE WORLD? YES, I THINK SO. I THINK WE NEED BETTER TRAINING FOR FIRE PERSONNEL, BETTER PLANNING, AND USE OF MODELLING AND PREDICTION TOOLS FOR ANTICIPATING FUTURE FIRES, AND OF COURSE FOR OPERATIONAL PREDICTIONS DURING FIRES. HOW DOES THIS WORK EXACTLY? CAN YOU TALK ME THROUGH THE STEPS OF HOW YOU ANALYSE SOMETHING SUCH AS THIS? YES, WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR NEW ZEALAND PARTNERS AND WE HAVE BEEN FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE DETAILS, THE PHYSICAL PROCESSES GOING ON. WE HAVE A LAVATORY BACK IN THE STATES WHERE WE DO A LOT OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INDOORS, ON A SMALL SCALE, AND WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON HERE IS TO TEST THE SCALING OF OUR FINDINGS FROM THE LABORATORY IN THE UNITED STATES AND SEE HOW IT APPLIES TO LARGER FIRES. WHY DO YOU NEED TO TEST HERE, IS IT BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS ALLOW YOU TO DO THOSE TESTS MORE SAFELY? SO, THE ADVANTAGE OF COMING HEAD TO NEW ZEALAND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LONG WAY AWAY, IS THAT WE HAVE STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH NEW ZEALAND, AND TO PULL OFF EXPERIMENTAL BANDS SUCH AS THIS, AND GET ALL THE REGIMENTATION YOU NEED, YOU NEED A STRONG TEAM, AND THE PARTNERS HERE ALL CONTRIBUTE EXPERTISE IN BEING ABLE TO CONDUCT THESE BURNS AND GET THE MOST EXPERIMENTAL VALUE OUT OF THEM, AND SO THAT IS WHY WE COME OVER HERE BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS IN THIS JOINT EFFORT. WHEN YOU ARE A SITTING A FIRE, AND LET'S TAKE THE ONES IN CALIFORNIA FOR EXAMPLE, AT WHAT POINT DOES IT GET BEYOND THE POINT OF BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY TACKLE IT? IS THERE A POINT IN THE FIRE WHERE YOU THINK THIS IS TOO BIG FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PREDICT? THE LIMITATIONS ON THESE FIRES OCCUR PRETTY QUICKLY UNDER THOSE EXTREME CONDITIONS, AND IT IS NOT ABOUT PREDICTION LIMITATION, IT IS MORE ABOUT RESPONSE. RESPONSE GET QUICKLY OVERWHELMED UNDER THOSE EXTREME CONDITIONS. THAT IS A GOOD CASE IN POINT WHERE IF YOU HAVE NOT MITIGATED THE HAZARDS TO HOMES OR TO YOUR NATURAL RESOURCES BEFORE THOSE FIVE-STAR, THEN IT IS PRETTY LATE IN THE GAME TO WAIT FOR FIRES TO OCCUR AND THEN ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE THE DISASTER. FROM YOUR RESEARCH, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT PLACES THAT ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THESE SORTS OF THINGS, AND HOW CAN THEY PREVENT THE LOSS AND DAMAGE THAT THEY CAUSE? SO, SITUATIONS OCCUR ALL OVER THE WORLD AND EVERY COUNTRY WHERE YOU HAVE FUEL HAZARDS, AND YOU HAVE NATURAL FUEL HAZARDS, AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIVING AMONGST THE VEGETATION, AND TWO THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. ONE, WHERE WE ARE CONCERNED WITH BUILDINGS INSTRUCTIONS THAT THERE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE BUILDING ` THAT IS WHAT MATTERS TO WHETHER THAT BUILDING ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IGNITION. WHAT WE FOUND IN MANY OF THE FOREST TYPES AROUND THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN NORTH AMERICA, THAT FIRE IS YOUR BEST TOOL. PROACTIVELY USING FIRE IS THE BEST WAY TO MITIGATE FUTURE FIRES, BECAUSE IT STANDS TO REASON THAT USING FIRE IS GOING TO CONSUME THE FUEL MATERIALS THAT OTHER FIRES WILL DEPEND ON. THERE ARE NOT MANY GOOD SUBSTITUTES TO FIRE. ON LARGE-SCALE, FIRE IS ONLY THE REALLY TALL WE CAN USE TO MITIGATE FUTURE FIRES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING FROM CHRISTCHURCH. YOU ARE WELCOME. STILL TO COME ON THE SHOW THIS MORNING ` DID THE REVAMPED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME BITE OFF MORE THAN IT COULD CHEW? ONE OF THE SCHEME'S PROVIDERS GOES INTO LIQUIDATION. WHY SOME GROUPS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED ARE OFFERING THE GOVERNMENT A PLAN 'B'. ALSO AHEAD ` WHAT SCIENTISTS HOPE TO LEARN FROM THE OLDEST KNOWN IMPACT CRATER ON EARTH, DATING BACK MORE THAN 2.4 BILLION YEARS. AND LATER ` AS TESLA STOCKS PLUNGE AND STORES ARE HIT WITH PROTESTS IN THE U.S., HOW LOCAL OWNERS ARE GETTING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE. IT'S 7 O'CLOCK ` HERE'S THE NEWS. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE'LL DOUBLE THE TARIFFS ON CANADIAN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM AS THE TRADE WAR RAMPS UP AGAIN. AS THE TRADE WAR RAMPS UP AGAIN. THE PLANNED 25% TAX ON METAL IMPORTS, WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY, WILL NOW RISE TO 50%. THE U.S. IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST IMPORTER OF ALUMINIUM, AND SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF STEEL. IT COMES IN RESPONSE TO CANADA'S 25% TARIFF ON ELECTRICITY EXPORTED TO THE U.S. ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY. THE NEW ZEALAND DRUG FOUNDATION SAYS WHILE THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE, ITS GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNTRY'S EARLY WARNING DRUG SYSTEM. IT'S GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNTRY'S EARLY WARNING DRUG SYSTEM. IT COMES AFTER THREE PEOPLE IN WAIRARAPA OVERDOSED ON AN ILLICIT SUBSTANCE THINKING IT WAS COCAINE, BUT POLICE SAY IT'S MOST LIKELY AN OPIOID. IN THE LAST DECADE, RESEARCHERS HAVE SEEN A RAMPING UP OF SYNTHETIC DRUG USE, WITH THE DRUG FOUNDATION'S SARAH HELM BELIEVING THE HIGH-ALERT SYSTEM IS SAVING MANY LIVES. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THESE INTERVENTIONS, WE WOULDN'T, UM, YOU KNOW, WE WOULDN'T BE STAVING OFF THE KIND OF, UH, OVERDOSE FATALITIES WE'RE SEEING AROUND THE WORLD. NONETHELESS, WE LOSE ABOUT THREE NEW ZEALANDERS EVERY WEEK TO OVERDOSE, SO, UM, THERE'S MUCH MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SYSTEM. SHE SAYS IT'S A GOOD REMINDER TO CONTINUE CHECKING DRUGS TO AVOID LIFE-THREATENING MISTAKES. AN EXOTIC SEAWEED FOUND IN THE NORTH ISLAND IS CAUSING DISRUPTION, WITH POTENTIAL TO SERIOUSLY HARM AND TRANSFORM OUR COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS. AUCKLAND COUNCIL IS WARNING BOAT USERS TO AVOID SOME AREAS, INCLUDING AOTEA GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, WHANGAPARAOA HARBOUR AND WAIHEKE ISLAND. PEOPLE ARE URGED TO REPORT THE INVASIVE CAULERPA IF THEY ARE SPOTTED IN OTHER LOCATIONS AS MPI WORKS TO MONITOR AND REMOVE THE SPREAD. TALL FERN EMME SHEARER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO PULLING ON THE BLACK JERSEY AGAIN AFTER CHECKING OFF A MAJOR MILESTONE IN U.S. COLLEGE BASKETBALL LEAGUE. SHE'S JUST PLAYED HER 15th GAME FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND PILOTS, SHE'S JUST PLAYED HER 154th GAME FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND PILOTS, THE MOST COLLEGE GAMES FOR ANY NEW ZEALAND PLAYER. THE 23-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN NAMED IN THE TALL FERNS SQUAD FOR THE TRANS-TASMAN SHOWDOWN IN MAY. PLAYING FOR THE TALL FERNS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY BIGGEST GOALS, AND TO DO THAT IS SUPER, SUPER EXCITING, AND I'M JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND I'M REALLY EXCITED. THEY'LL PLAY AUSTRALIA IN HAMILTON, THEIR FIRST HOME GAME IN FIVE YEARS. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (GROOVY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` PARTLY CLOUDY ` WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE A FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR KIRIKIRIROA HAMILTON. 21 FOR TE PAPAIOEA PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY, RISING TO A GALE, LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR WHAKATU NELSON. 13 IN WAIHOPAI INVERCARGILL. THE ROLLOUT OF THE REVAMPED FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAMME HAS FACED MORE CHALLENGES THAN THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT ` LABELLE GROUP, ONE OF THE PROVIDERS HAS GONE INTO LIQUIDATION. ASSOCIATE EDUCATION MINISTER DAVID SEYMOUR REMAINS OPTIMISTIC. I DON'T THINK IT'S BAD. I ACTUALLY THINK IN THE LONG TERM, IT'S VERY GOOD. THERE'S SOME SENSITIVE COMMERCIAL MATTERS BEING WORKED THROUGH, AND I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE FURTHER DETAIL OF THAT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BE WORKED THROUGH. BUT OUR PRIORITY IS KEEPING THE CONTINUITY OF SUPPLY FOR THE CHILDREN. AND I BELIEVE IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, THE RECORD WILL SHOW THAT WE'VE ACTED VERY WELL, SOMETIMES WITH SOME CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES. IT'S ONLY HEIGHTENED CONCERNS AMONG PROVIDERS WHO WERE CONTRACTED TO THE OLD SCHEME, AND MORE THAN 60 OF THEM HAVE NOW JOINED FORCES WITH A UNIFIED 'PLAN B', SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT WANT IT. CEO OF TRUST HOUSE JOHN PRENDERGAST JOINS US NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE PREVIOUS PROVIDERS. HOW DID THAT IMPACT TRUST US WHEN YOU LOST THAT CONTRACT? IT HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, BUT THAT IS BEHIND US NOW. WE LOST ABOUT 50 STAFF AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT, BUT I GUESS OUR FOCUS SINCE THEN HAS BEEN ABOUT LOOKING FORWARD. AND I GUESS IF I COULD START BY SAYING THAT I AGREE WITH DAVID SEYMOUR, I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD SAY THAT, BUT I THINK HAS VISION FOR THE PROGRAM ` THE WAY IT WAS STRUCTURED PREVIOUSLY, THERE WERE SOME CHANGES THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE SO I THINK THE INTENT IS VERY GOOD AND THE OBJECTIVE OF STILL DELIVERING THE PROGRAM THAT MET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM, AND SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS WAS GOOD. I THINK THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT. CAN WE TALK ABOUT YOUR PLAN B? WE CAN ONLY SPEAK IN BROAD TERMS. WHEN YOU STARTED TALKING TO OTHER PROVIDERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK INTO THE RACE SO TO SPEAK? DAVID SEYMOUR ANNOUNCED THE CONTRACT FOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH COLLECTIVE ON 27 OCTOBER LAST YEAR. WE STARTED TALKING WITH THE OTHER SUPPLIES ON . WE STARTED TALKING WITH THE OTHER SUPPLIES ON 23 OCTOBER LAST YEAR. WE HAVE CONTINUED THE DISCUSSION SINCE THEN. THE CONTRACT THAT THE MINISTRY'S PROCUREMENT PROCESS LANDED ON WITH THE SCHOOL LUNCH COLLECTIVE HAS SOME FUNDAMENTAL PROGRAMS WITH IT. ONE IS THE SOLE RELIANCE ON ONE PROVIDER. THAT IS NO COMPETITIVE TENSION IN THAT CONTRACT, AND THERE IS NO CONSUMER TENSION IN IT EITHER. SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE A CHOICE ANYMORE AS A PROVIDER IS NOT MEETING THEIR REQUIREMENTS. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY OPTION TO GO TO ANOTHER PROVIDER OR THAT THEY EITHER PUT UP WITH IT OR LEAVE THE PROGRAM. OUR CONCERN AS PROVIDERS TO THE PROGRAM IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CORE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE ABLE TO BE MET, AND THAT CORE OBJECTIVE, AND IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO HAVE THE PRIME MINISTER REAFFIRM THE COMMITMENT TO IT, IS TO LOOK AFTER THE MOST VULNERABLE KIDS IN NEW ZEALAND. THERE ARE 200,000+ OF THEM WHICH NEED A GOOD, NUTRITIOUS MEAL EVERY DAY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, AND WE WERE SURPRISED AND TALKING TO THE MINISTRY ON 28 NOVEMBER, TO FIND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A BACKUP PLAN, A CONTINGENCY PLAN IF THIS MODEL DID NOT WORK, AND SO THAT IS WHY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING PRETTY HARD AND COLLECTIVELY TO PUT TOGETHER A PLAN THAT WE CAN PRETTY RAPIDLY STAND UP, THAT WOULD SEE A NATIONWIDE PROVISION OF SCHOOL LUNCHES, LED BY LOCAL SUPPLIES, AND THAT IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE, AND THE KEY PROBLEM, WITH THIS CURRENT CONTRACT. THE SUPPLY CHAIN STARTS IN HAMILTON AND ENDS UP IN BLUFF IS NOT GOING TO WORK. YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU AND OTHERS, BASED ON THE CONTRACT WRITTEN IN OCTOBER, THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE ISSUES WITH THAT, AND THEREFORE YOU STARTED GETTING TOGETHER WITH OTHERS AND SAYING, THE LIQUIDATION PART POTENTIALLY NOT, BUT THERE WOULD BE ISSUES? THAT WAS FORESEEABLE TOO. THAT WAS NOT A SURPRISE AT ALL TO PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY. ARE YOU ABLE TO ELABORATE ON THAT? IT HAS BEEN WIDELY KNOWN FOR SOME TIME. I THINK DAVID SEYMOUR IS PROBABLY RIGHT THAT IT IS NOT A BAD THING, IN THAT IT WILL ENABLE OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM TO BE ADDRESSED. OUR CORE ISSUE COMES BACK TO GROUND ZERO ` WHAT IS THE PROGRAM TRYING TO ACHIEVE, AND WORLD THE WAY IT IS CURRENTLY STRUCTURED ACHIEVE THAT? WE HAVE SEEN ALL SORTS OF INSTANCES SINCE DELIVERY COMMENCED BACK AT THE END OF JANUARY, AND THEY HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS TEETHING PROBLEMS. I THINK THE MAIN SUPPLY GOING INTO LIQUIDATION IS MORE THAN A TEETHING PROBLEM, IT IS AN ABSCESS. THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO DELIVER A PROGRAM WHICH HAD GOOD MEALS FOR OUR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. CAN YOU REALISTICALLY PROVIDE LUNCHES FOR THAT PRICE? NO, COMING BACK TO THE THREE DOLLARS. THREE DOLLAR LUNCH IS NOT A THING. THE CONTRACT SIGNED IN OCTOBER SAID THREE DOLLARS. SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF INCREASES TO THAT THREE DOLLAR PAYMENT. CAN'T JUST JUMP IN, ONLY BECAUSE WE DID RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY WHO SAID THAT THE BASE COST STILL REMAINS AT THREE DOLLARS PER MEAL, PER STUDENT, FOR YEAR 9+ STUDENTS. AN ADDITIONAL $0.84 PER STUDENT IS ALLOCATED FOR TWO EXTRA FOOD ITEMS. IT IS NOT A THREE DOLLAR LUNCH. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS FOR THE PROVISION OF LUNCH WITHIN THE SCHOOL'S. THAT WAS ALL INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS PRICE. IT WAS NOT NINE DOLLARS PREVIOUSLY, IT AVERAGED ABOUT SEVEN DOLLARS PREVIOUSLY. WE THINK THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF ACHIEVING SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS IS GOOD, AND IT IS WELL-FOUNDED. WE BELIEVE THAT WE ` IF WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BUT WE DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ` TO PUT PRICES AND, WE COULD PUT A PRICE AND THAT WOULD BE LESS THAN THAT AVERAGE OF SEVEN DOLLARS THAT IT USED TO BE. IT WOULD NOT BE THREE DOLLARS OR FOUR DOLLARS. WE THINK IT COST CURRENTLY AROUND FIVE DOLLARS. HAVE YOU ENTERED INTO DISCUSSIONS AT ALL? THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY DECIDING THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM. YES, ABSOLUTELY FOR THAT WE HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH THE MINISTRY AND WE ARE MEETING WITH THEM SHORTLY. WE CAN PROVIDE A SCHEME THAT IS FOUNDED ON LOCAL SUPPLIES, SO SHORTENING UP THOSE SUPPLY CHAINS, AND REDUCING THE RISK THAT IS INHERENT IN A SYSTEM THAT CURRENTLY SEES A LUNCH BEING MADE IN HAMILTON AND SHIPPED OFF TO BLUFF, OVER AN 11 DAY TIME PERIOD. THERE IS AN AWFUL AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THINGS TO GO WRONG AND THAT SUPPLY CHAIN, AND WE ARE SEEING THAT EVERY DAY. THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH IT. ALSO, THE FALLACY THAT IT IS A THREE DOLLAR LUNCH. IT IS NOT A THREE DOLLAR LUNCH. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JENNY MAY. IN A STATEMENT, PAUL HARVEY FROM THE SCHOOL LUNCH COLLECTIVE SAYS ITS PRIORITY IS ENSURING THAT STUDENTS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NUTRITIOUS MEALS EVERY DAY. HE SAYS THEY'VE TAKEN IMMEDIATE STEPS TO SUPPORT LIBELLE, INCLUDING ENSURING STAFF WAGES ARE PAID AND KEEPING KITCHEN FACILITIES RUNNING. THERE ARE 500 JOBS AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THIS. E HAERE AKE NEI ` HE'S RIDING HIGH IN THE POLLS. LABOUR LEADER CHRIS HIPKINS JOINS US NEXT. # I NEED A LITTLE LOVE. VOICEOVER: What a time to be into dragons with Spark Mobile. Oh, Henry, my show's about to start. Henry. (GRUNTS) VOICE-OVER: Imagine if instead of the dog dragging you out the door... (SCREAMS) ..you dragged it. Get AIA Vitality and start thriving. (SINGING) What a time to be into pop with Spark Mobile. (POP MUSIC) WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER A CARGO SHIP COLLIDED WITH AN OIL TANKER OFF ENGLAND'S NORTHEAST COAST. DIPLOMATIC TALKS OVER ENDING THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE TAKING PLACE TODAY IN FRANCE AND SAUDI ARABIA. AND ARMED PAKISTAN MILITANTS HAVE STORMED A TRAIN CARRYING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, TAKING MULTIPLE HOSTAGES. AS WE'VE JUST DISCUSSED, THE EMBATTLED FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAMME HAS HIT ANOTHER SNAG A COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING MORE THAN 125,000 LUNCHES EVERY DAY HAS GONE BUST. LABOUR LEADER CHRIS HIPKINS JOINS US NOW. KIA ORA. SO WE'VE HAD LATE LUNCHES, NO LUNCHES, UNWANTED LUNCHES, THE SAME LUNCH DAY AFTER DAY, BURNT LUNCHES, A BURNED CHILD AND NOW THIS. HOW CAN THE GOVT FIX THIS MESS? OUR PREVIOUS GUEST SAID HE AGREES WITH DAVID SEYMOUR THAT IT IS A GOOD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED, WHAT IS YOUR READ ON IT? I THINK THAT IS NOW OFFICIALLY CAN BE DESCRIBED AS AN 'OMNI-SHAMBLES'. SEYMOUR IGNORED ALL THE ADVICE IS THE BEGINNING THAT IS BECAUSE LUNCHES WILL NOT WORK AND NOW TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF THAT. THREE DOLLARS A DAY FOR LUNCH SIMPLY ISN'T ENOUGH. THEY CHOSE TO CUT SCHOOL LUNCHES TO FUND TAX CUTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT THEY CUT, BUT ULTIMATELY CHILDREN ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR THAT. $3 DOLLARS A DAY IS NOT ENOUGH. THE COMPANY THAT PROMISED THEY COULD HAVE GONE BROKE, SO WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BEING A STUPID IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE. JOB ENDED US WAS JUST SAYING THAT PEOPLE KNEW LITTLE COMING, AS WE SAW ON THE NEWS LAST NIGHT, MINISTER STAFFORD WAS AWARE FOR THE PAST WEEK OR SO THAT SOMETHING IS GOING ON. WERE THERE NOT ENOUGH RED FLAGS KNOWING UP? IS AMAZING THAT THEY KNEW LITTLE COMING BUT DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ANYBODY ABOUT IT. MINISTER STAFFORD, THE ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT SENSIBLE ABOUT THE SUPPLEMENT THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT HER THAT SHE DID NOT SHED AT THE MENTION. * SHARE THAT INFORMATION. WE WERE PROVIDING GOOD, HEALTHY, FREE AT FRESH LODGES EVERY DAY. BUT NOW, IT DOESN'T ARRIVE ON TIME, IT IS NOT EDIBLE, SCHOOLS ARE HAVING TO COVER THE COSTS THEMSELVES BECAUSE A LOT OF THE THINGS AROUND THE EDGES THAT USED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL AT PROVIDERS, LIKE TAKING WASTE AWAY AFTERWARDS, REUSING THE DISHES AND MEALS AND STUFF, THAT HAS FALLEN TO SCHOOLS TO DO THAT, WHICH IS AN ADDED COST WHEN PREVIOUSLY WE WERE TRYING TO TAKE COSTS AWAY FROM SCHOOLS, AND IT IS MISSING ITS FUNDAMENTAL PURPOSE ` FEEDING KIDS! WE DON'T WANT THEM SITTING THERE FEELING HUNGRY. I THINK ONE OF THE RISKS IS THERE IS NOT MUCH LEFT TO PICK UP. I VISITED THEM IN MASTERTON. PREVIOUSLY, WE HAVE AN OPTION THAT IF A SCHOOL THAT HAPPY WITH THEIR LOT, BUT THEY COULD PUT PROVIDERS BECAUSE THEY USED TO BE MANY PROVIDERS, BUT WHEN YOU MOVE TO JUST ONE, IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH IT, THERE ARE NO MORE PROVIDERS. DO YOU THINK LABOUR IS DOING A GOOD JOB OR AS LABOUR MAKING A HASH OF IT I THINK IT IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH OF THOSE THINGS. THE PUBLIC KNOWS THIS IS A GOVERNMENT OF SLOGANS. THEY KNOW THAT LABOUR IS ABOUT GETTING BACK TO BASICS, THINGS LIKE HOMES. I SET US ON FRIDAY, AND I THINK NEW ZEALANDERS DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SPENT THE TIME LISTENING, FOCUSING ON THE BASICS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE US FOCUS ON, MAKING SURE WE ARE IN A BETTER POSITION FOR NEXT TIME, WHICH IS ALCOHOL, WE WILL BE READY AND HAVE PLANS IN PLACE AND BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE MERRY-GO-ROUND OF WAFFLE WE HAVE SEEN WITH THIS GOVERNMENT. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU TO NAME THE TRUST AGAIN OF NZ? I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE THE GOVERNMENTS TO GET BETTER THE BASICS RIGHT, AND THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING THAT. WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON JOBS, HEALTH AND TIMES. *AND HOMES THAT IS WHERE NEW ZEALANDERS REALLY WANT TO SEE PROGRESS. THOSE ARE THE REASONS THAT THE LABOUR PARTY WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE FIRST PLACE, MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE GOT GOOD, WELL PAYING JOBS, THE PUBLIC SERVICES LIKE HEALTH WHEN THEY NEED IT, AND A PLACE TO CALL HOME WITH A WARM, DRY HOME OVER THEIR HEADS. ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS... CHRIS SEED IS GOING TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO TAKE OVER THAT ROLE. HOW DO YOU RECKON HE WILL GO? HE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PUBLIC SERVANT WITH A LONG HISTORY DIPLOMACY. I THINK PUTTING AN INNARDS VARIANT DIPLOMAT INTO THAT ROLE IS A SOUND DECISION. I DO THINK THE GOVERNMENT OVERREACTED AND REMOVING FILLED OFF. *REMOVING PHIL GOFF I THINK, AGAIN, THIS IS WHAT NEW ZEALANDERS EXPECT FROM CHRISTOPHER LUXON. HE IS ALL ABOUT SLOGANS AND BLAME RATHER THAN MOVING THE COUNTRY FORWARD. AT LAST COUNT, THERE WERE FIVE MINISTERIAL TRIPS TO INDIA DURING OUR TIME IN GOVERNMENT. WAS THAT INTERRUPTED BY THE PANDEMIC? IS IT WAS. I THINK HOLDING US TO A STANDARD THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE MET BECAUSE WE WERE FOLLOWING THE SAME WATER RESTRICTIONS AS EVERYBODY ELSE IS A LITTLE BIT CHEAP. IS TIME HAVE TO GROW UP AND START EXHIBITING RESPONSE ABILITY FOR HIS GOVERNMENT AND START SHOWING SOME LEADERSHIP BUT SEEMS TO BE LACKING IN HIS GOVERNMENT. GOING TO WRAP UP WITH A HARD QUESTION ` WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SONGS THAT EVOKE STRONG MEMORIES FOR PEOPLE. WHAT WOULD BE YOURS, MR HIPKINS? CAN BE NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE. MY FIRST LP ` FEED THE WORLD. EVERY TIME IT COMES ON THE RADIO AT CHRISTMAS, IT BRINGS BACK THE MEMORIES OF LISTENING TO THE 45 LP ON THE RECORD PLAYER. THAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT SPRINGS TO MIND. TIMELY, I GUESS, SINCE WE ARE FOCUSING ON FEEDING THE CHILDREN. I'M GLAD HE DIDN'T SAY TUB THUMPING. HEY, THAT IS A CLASSIC OUT IN THE HUTT. GETTING HEAPS OF FEEDBACK ABOUT THAT, ACTUALLY. AC/DC, THUNDERSTRUCK. WE HAD TO DO BURPEES EVERY TIME THE WORD THUNDER... LOSE YOURSELF, EMINEM. UNTIL THEY GOT COPYRIGHT STRIKED. THAT WAS THEIR SONG. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 7.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. (FRENETIC MUSIC) IT'S 7.30. HERE'S THE NEWS. IN DEVELOPING NEWS, UKRAINE HAS ACCEPTED A CEASEFIRE WITH RUSSIA, WITH THE U.S AGREEING TO LIFT ITS PAUSE ON INTELLIGENCE SHARING AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE. IT FOLLOWS HOURS-LONG DIPLOMATIC TALKS TAKING PLACE IN SAUDI ARABIA BETWEEN U.S. AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS. IN A JOINT STATEMENT, UKRAINE SAYS IT'S READY TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED 30-DAY CEASEFIRE AS A PERMANENT PEACE IS NEGOTIATED. THE U.S. SAYS IT WILL TAKE THE DEAL TO RUSSIA IN THE COMING DAYS. MEANWHILE, OVERNIGHT ATTACKS CONTINUED, WITH SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN UKRAINE AND THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN RUSSIA. ONE PROVIDER FOR THE HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME SAYS THERE'S 'FUNDEMENTAL PROBLEMS' THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. IT FOLLOWS ONE LUNCH PROVIDER, LIBELLE GROUP, GOING INTO LIQUIDATION YESTERDAY. THIS HAS HEIGHTENED CONCERNS AMONG PROVIDERS WHO WERE CONTRACTED TO THE OLD SCHEME, SUCH AS TRUST HOUSE. IT'S NOW JOINED 60 OTHERS WITH A UNIFIED 'PLAN B', SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT WANT IT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE... AND WE WERE SURPRISED TALKING TO THE MINISTRY TO FIND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A BACKUP PLAN, A CONTINGENCY IF THIS MODEL DID NOT WORK. HE BELIEVES THE CURRENT SYSTEM ISN'T SUSTAINABLE AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THERE ARE CALLS FOR WELLINGTON'S COUNCILS TO MERGE FOLLOWING THE REGION'S FAILURE TO PUT FORWARD A CITY-REGIONAL DEAL. 18 REGIONS SUBMITTED PLANS TO THE GOVERNMENT ` EXCEPT FOR WELLINGTON. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CLAIMS AN OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN MISSED TO TACKLE THE CAPITAL'S NEEDS, AND IT COULD PUT PRESSURE ON RATEPAYERS. ITS CEO SAYS COUNCILS ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO DESIGN A NEW WATER ENTITY WHICH MEETS THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS. MILITANTS IN PAKISTAN HAVE HIJACKED A TRAIN AND TAKEN MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ONBOARD HOSTAGE IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHWEST. THE TRAIN, WHICH WAS CARRYING AROUND 500 PASSENGERS, WAS PASSING THROUGH THE BALOCHISTAN PROVINCE WHEN THE SEPARATIST MILITANTS BLEW UP THE TRACK AND FIRED ON THE TRAIN. THE BALOCH LIBERATION ARMY SAYS IT WILL EXECUTE HOSTAGES IF SECURITY FORCES DO NOT RETREAT. MANCHESTER UNITED HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD A BRAND-NEW $4.5B STADIUM. THE 100,000-SEAT STADIUM WILL BE BUILT NEXT TO OLD TRAFFORD, THE CLUB'S CURRENT HOME. IT'S PART OF A WIDER REGENERATION PROJECT OF THE OLD TRAFFORD AREA AND COULD BOOST THE BRITISH ECONOMY BY $16.5B PER YEAR. WOW. STILL, IT'S NO MOUNT SMART, IS IT? NO. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (MELODIC HOUSE MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR HAMILTON. 21 FOR PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES, IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS, WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY RISING TO A GALE LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR NELSON. 13 IN INVERCARGILL. ONE OF AOTEAROA'S VERY OWN TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES HAS JUST ACHIEVED A WORLD-FIRST. SKINNY, WHO IS BRINGING YOU THIS SEGMENT, HAS SUCCESSFULLY CLONED LIZ WRIGHT (61) USING BOTH HER APPEARANCE AND VOICE TO BE THE COMPANY'S LATEST AI-POWERED BRAND AMBASSADOR. GOODNESS ME. LIZ JOINS US NOW. AT LEAST I THINK SHE DOES. WELCOME TO THE SHOW. HOW ON EARTH DOES ONE BECOME A BRAND AMBASSADOR AND GET CLONED TO HAVE AN AI MODEL? WHO KNEW BEFORE THIS? NO ONE. AN EMAIL CAME THROUGH IN MY INBOX SAYING WE ARE HUNTING FOR OUR HAPPIEST CUSTOMER, IS THAT YOU? FROM SKINNY. I SENT A VOICE MESSAGE OFF TO THE NUMBER AND A FEW DAYS LATER ` " WOULD I LIKE TO SEND A VIDEO CLIP?" AND THEN THEY ASKED FOR ANOTHER AND THIS WAS OVER A FEW DAYS. AND THEN SUDDENLY THEY TOLD ME I WAS IN THE LAST FIVE, AND I THOUGHT, WOW! THIS IS GETTING REAL. BUT IS IT GETTING REAL? THIS IS A GOOD QUESTION. I WOULD FEEL A BIT` THIS IS ABOUT SCAMMING. BUT IT WASN'T. IT WAS THE REAL DEAL. WHAT YOUR FAMILY SAY ABOUT THIS? MY SON IS IN AI OVER IN AUSTRALIA AND HE WAS ALL FOR IT. HOW DO THEY ACTUALLY MAKE AN AI CLONE OF YOU? IT DOES INVOLVE SCANNING. I'LL MAKE IT A SHORT STORY. I FLEW DOWN TO AUCKLAND. IT WAS WONDERFUL. THERE WERE PEOPLE TO MEET ME AT THE AIRPORT. MEN HOLDING UP THE SIGN WITH YOUR NAME ON IT. THEY CARTED ME OFF AND WE DID THE TRADITIONAL SHOOT ` THE TWO OF ME BEING THE NEWSCASTERS AND SITTING ON THE COUCH WITH MY POPCORN ` WHICH I ATE. I ATE IT ALL. SO IS THIS ACTUALLY YOU, OR IS THIS AN AI CLONE HERE? I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S ME, BECAUSE YES, I WAS DRESSED IN THAT, BUT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE A CLONE. YOU ARE VERY TRUSTING FOR LEADING A COMPANY DO THIS. ANY CONCERNS ABOUT LETTING YOUR VOICE BE CLONED AND OUT THERE? ONCE I GOT MY HEAD AROUND THE FACT... "SKINNY MOBILE FOR LIFE!" HANG ON, WHAT'S INVOLVED HERE. SKINNY HAVE GOT AI DOCUMENTS ` OH MY GOODNESS, SCREEDS OF DOCUMENTS ` ETHICS DOCUMENTS, AI PRINCIPLES DOCUMENTS. THEY'VE DOTTED THEIR I'S. I FELT SO SAFE. DO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO GO AND DO THINGS NOW THAT YOU ARE A BRAND AMBASSADOR OR CAN YOUR AI VERSION DO IT FOR YOU? I CAN STEP BACK ` WELL, STEP BACK ` WHO AM I KIDDING ` THAT'S WHAT WE CALL MY CLONES, THE SKINNIES ` THEY ARE GOING TO GO OFF AND DO AMAZING THINGS. WHAT ARE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS, SEEING MULTIPLE YOUS? ONE OF THE SCRIPTS I HAD TO READ, BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO DO A VOICE CAPTURE, AND LEXI THE DIRECTOR HAD WRITTEN THIS HYSTERICALLY FUNNY SCRIPT ` AS NEW ZEALAND READY FOR MULTIPLE LIZ'S? I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. AND WELCOME TO THE STUDIO. YOU SAID YOU ARE A FAN OF THE SHOW. A BIG FAN! I WAS SO EXCITED. HERE IS JENNY-MAY. LOVELY TO HAVE YOU IN THE STUDIO. AND ORANGE IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR. I AM TOLD IT IS THE NEW BLACK. ME U TONU MAI ` MORE ON THE MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH THAT COULD MAKE THE BRAIN DISEASE CTE EASIER TO IDENTIFY. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` FIREFIGHTERS AND RESEARCHERS ARE LIGHTING CONTROLLED FIRES IN PADDOCKS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR OF WILDFIRES. A DANGEROUS OPIOID MAY BE CIRCULATING THE WAIRARAPA REGION, A DANGEROUS OPIOID MAY BE CIRCULATING THE WAIRARAPA REGION, DISGUISED AS COCAINE, AFTER THREE PEOPLE FELL ILL AFTER TAKING THE SUBSTANCE. THE ROLLOUT OF THE REVAMPED FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAMME HAS FACED MORE CHALLENGES THAN THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED AS ONE OF THE PROVIDERS GOES INTO LIQUIDATION. SCIENTISTS STUDYING THE BRAINS OF RUGBY PLAYERS HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH IN CTE RESEARCH ` A DISEASE LINKED TO REPEATED HEAD KNOCKS. CTE, OR CHRONIC TRAUMATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY, CAN CURRENTLY ONLY BE DIAGNOSED AFTER DEATH. BUT LOCAL RESEARCHERS ARE PAVING THE WAY TOWARDS DIAGNOSIS IN LIVING PATIENTS AND DEVELOPING TREATMENTS. JENNY SUO BROKE THIS STORY AND JOINS US NOW. WHAT DO THEY FIND? CURRENTLY CTE CAN ONLY BE DIAGNOSED AFTER SOMEONE HAS DIED AND THAT'S BECAUSE SCIENTISTS HAVE TO GO INTO THEIR BRAIN. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THESE PROTEINS AND THEY NORMALLY LINK THAT TO CTE. KIWI RESEARCHERS HAVE THOUGHT, LET'S LOOK FURTHER AND MAPPED MORE OF THE BRAIN. ARE THERE ANY MORE MARKERS THAT COULD ALSO INDICATE CTE? AND WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND AS THESE OTHER PROTEINS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN INFLAMMATION ` BUT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICK THAT UP AND LIVING PEOPLE, AND THAT OPENS THE DOOR TOWARDS DIAGNOSIS AND POSSIBLY TREATMENT IN THE FUTURE. BEFORE THEY GET TO THAT STAGE, THEY STILL HAVE TO RELY ON THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE WHO DONATE THEIR BRAIN TISSUE AFTER DEATH. AND THAT'S A REALLY BIG DECISION TO MAKE, RIGHT? ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR AGO NOW, NEW ZEALAND HAD THEIR FIRST CASE OF A PROFESSIONAL BUBBLY PLAYER RUGBY PLAYER TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH CTE. HE MADE THE DECISION TO DONATE HIS BRAIN FOR SCIENTISTS TO LOOK AT. BUT THEY ALSO RELIED ON DONATIONS OF PEOPLE. I SPOKE TO THE SON OF ANOTHER RUGBY PLAYER, JEFF COOPER. HE SPENT ALMOST 60 YEARS OF HIS LIFE PLAYING RUGBY WHEN " THE BIGGER THE KNOCK, THE BETTER". BUT HE HAD TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT. HE DEVELOPED DEMENTIA IN HIS LATE FIFTIES. I SPOKE TO HIS SON, WHO WAS ALSO CALLED JEFF COOPER, ABOUT WHY THEY CHOSE TO DONATE HIS BRAIN TO THE BRAIN BANK. WELL, THE FAMILY SUSPECTED IT ` SUSPECTED THAT MAYBE CTE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP BRING A LITTLE BIT OF CLARITY TO AN AREA THAT HAS A LOT OF UNKNOWNS? THIS IS ABOUT GETTING GOOD INFORMATION OUT THERE SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT MY DAD WENT THROUGH. AS I SAID, IT'S DEVASTATING FOR THE FAMILY WATCHING PEOPLE GO THROUGH THIS. AND TO SEE THE BREAKTHROUGHS IN THIS SPACE, I THINK HE WOULD BE PROUD OF THE BRAIN BANK AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING. IT'S WORLD-LEADING. IT'S WORLD-CLASS, IN MANY WAYS. IT'S AMAZING HOW LONG IT IS TAKEN TO GET TO THIS POINT. WHERE TO FROM HERE? LOTS, ACTUALLY. A DOCTOR AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY SHE WANTS TO SPEAK TO MRI SPECIALISTS AND PEOPLE WHO SPECIALISE IN BLOOD TESTS THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO PICK UP THIS PROTEIN THAT IS LINKED TO INFLAMMATION. SHE ALSO WANTS TO FOLLOW PLAYERS DURING THEIR CAREER AND TRACK THEIR BRAINS AND SEE WHAT CHANGES THERE COULD . SCIENTISTS HERE AND OVERSEAS ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A ROBUST SET OF TOOLS TO DIAGNOSE CTE AND LIVING PEOPLE. TO BE ABLE TO TREAT SOMEONE YOU HAVE TO DIAGNOSE THEM FIRST, FIND OUT WHO'S GOT IT, HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOT IT. AND IN A COUNTRY OF RUGBY MAD AND SPORTS MAD PEOPLE... IT'S NOT JUST RUGBY; THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER SPORTS WHERE YOU COULD GET A KNOCK TO THE HEAD. IT'S NOT JUST ATHLETES EITHER. AS PEOPLE FROM ALL SORTS OF BACKGROUNDS. I SPOKE TO BILLY GUYTON'S FAMILY. PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE TALKED TO THEM AND SAID, ' I'M WORRIED I MIGHT HAVE CTE.' FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED WITH HEAVY MACHINERY, PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY, WORKING WITH GUNS THAT SHOOT WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT KNOCKS THEIR HEADS BACK. IT IS ALSO LINKS TO REPEATED HEAD KNOCKS OF ANY KIND, BIG AND SMALL. SO EVEN THOUGH IT'S GREAT WE HAVE ALL THESE PROTOCOLS AROUND CONCUSSION AND REST AFTER CONCUSSION, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HOW TO LESSEN THOSE BLOWS; ITS HOW DO WE HAVE LESS BLOWS IN THE FIRST PLACE? IS LOOKING AT WHAT CHANGES COULD WE POSSIBLY MAKE. COULD THERE BE CHANGES IN TRAINING, DIFFERENT GEAR, AND THOSE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WILL BECOME MORE PREVALENT AS WE LEARN MORE ABOUT CTE. IT'S A TOUCHY SUBJECT FOR NEW ZEALAND RUGBY. THEY ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE RESEARCHERS. THEY ARE RELEASING THEIR OWN DISCUSSION PAPER ON BRAIN HEALTH NEXT WEEK, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT COMES FROM THAT AND WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS THEY MAY MAKE. CONVENIENTLY ENOUGH, I WILL BE HERE NEXT WEEK, SO I CAN LET YOU KNOW! A LOT OF SPORTS LIKE YOU MENTIONED, PLAYING FOOTBALL AS A YOUNGSTER, A LOT OF TIME I WOULD HAVE HIT THE BALL, WAITING UNDER IT ` BANG, MAKING CONTACT. AND WOULD YOU BE BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR KIDS DOING THAT? AND IN SOME PLACES THEY ARE SAYING NO HEADING OF THE BALL. E WHAI AKE NEI ` THE 8 O'CLOCK NEWS IS COMING UP. PLUS, HOW A NEWLY DISCOVERED CRATER COULD TELL US ABOUT EARLY LIFE ON EARTH. SCIENTISTS IN AUSTRALIA HAVE DISCOVERED WHAT COULD BE THE OLDEST KNOWN IMPACT CRATER ON EARTH, DATING BACK MORE THAN 2.4 BILLION YEARS. THE ANCIENT SITE ` LOCATED IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA ` OFFERS NEW CLUES ABOUT OUR PLANET'S EARLY HISTORY. EARLIER I SPOKE WITH CURTIN UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER CHRIS KIRKLAND ABOUT WHAT MAKES THIS CRATER SO REMARKABLE. SO THE CRATER IS APPROXIMATELY 3.5 BILLION YEARS OLD. SO OUR PLANET IS 4.5 BILLION YEARS, BUT THE RECORD OF IMPACT CRATERS IS QUITE SPARSE. SO PREVIOUSLY, THE OLDEST CRATER WE KNEW ABOUT WAS ONE THAT'S 2.2 BILLION YEARS OLD, AND THAT'S YARRABUBBA. AND THAT'S ALSO IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. BUT THIS CRATER, NORTH POLE, IT'S PART OF` CALLED THE NORTH POLE DOME, PROBABLY THE NORTH POLE CRATER WOULD BE AN APT NAME FOR IT, NOW IS A WHOLE BILLION YEARS OLDER. SO I GUESS AS GEOLOGISTS, WE NORMALLY THINK ABOUT PROCESSES INTERNAL TO THE EARTH, CREATING THE CRUST AND THE ORE DEPOSITS THAT WE HAVE AND LEADING TO THE OCEANS AND THE CONTINENTS. BUT I GUESS JUST STEPPING OUTSIDE ON A REALLY CLEAR NIGHT AND LOOKING UP AT THE MOON, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEE IT'S A CRATERED SURFACE. OUR PLANET WILL HAVE SEEN MANY MORE CRATERS, COS IT'S A BIGGER MASS, SO WE'VE HAD MANY MORE IMPACTS, BUT THE REASON WE DON'T SEE THEM IS OUR PLANET IS AN ACTIVE PLANET RESURFACING ITSELF. SO FINDING THIS EVIDENCE OF THIS CRATER IN THE PILBARA CRATON, THIS NORTH POLE CRATER, IS REALLY IMPORTANT, COS IT EXTENDS THIS RECORD OF CRATERING ON OUR PLANET. AND HOW DID YOU DISCOVER EVIDENCE OF THE IMPACT? YEAH, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. SO IT'S SLIGHTLY COMPLICATED, BUT I'LL GO THROUGH IT. I'LL GO THROUGH IT SLOWLY. SO AS GEOLOGISTS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT A STRATIGRAPHY OF ROCKS. SO THAT'S A SEQUENCE OF ROCKS BUILT UP FROM OLDER AT THE BOTTOM TO YOUNGER ON THE TOP, JUST LIKE A BOOK, RIGHT. SO WE'VE GOT THIS PAGES OF A BOOK. NOW, SOME OF THOSE PAGES IN THE BOOK, WE CAN DATE ISOTOPICALLY. AND THAT'S BECAUSE THOSE LAYERS OF ROCK CONTAIN ZIRCON. SO ZIRCON IS A MINERAL THAT CONTAINS URANIUM. AND WE KNOW THE RATE OF CHANGE OF URANIUM TO LEAD. SO IF WE MEASURE THE AMOUNT OF URANIUM TO LEAD, WE CAN WORK OUT AN AGE. THAT GIVES US AN AGE FOR THAT PAGE OF THE BOOK. SO WE NOW HAVE A SEQUENCE OF PAGES. WE'VE GOT AN AGE ON THE LOWER SIDE, BELOW THESE STRUCTURES THAT WE KNOW ARE RELATED TO CRATER AND IMPACT. AND WE'VE DATED THE LAYER ABOVE. SO WE'VE NOW GOT THIS REALLY TIGHT CONSTRAINT ON THE AGE OF THE IMPACT. AND WHAT DOES THIS DISCOVERY TELL US ABOUT EARTH'S EARLY HISTORY? WELL, IT CONTAINS THESE FEATURES CALLED SHATTER CONES. SO THEY'RE DELICATE FEATURES IN THE ROCKS, BUT THEY'RE VERY OBVIOUS TO THE NAKED EYE. THEY'RE SPLAYING DOWNWARDS FRACTURES. SO THEY REALLY OUTWARDS FROM A SINGLE POINT. AND THERE'S LOTS OF THEM. SO THEY STACK UP LIKE CONES. IF YOU CAN IMAGINE AN ICE CREAM CONE AND YOU TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN. IT'S LIKE A WHOLE SERIES OF ICE CREAM CONES ON A WHOLE RANGE OF DIFFERENT SCALES. SO FROM THE SCALE OF, LIKE, YOUR THUMBNAIL ALL THE WAY UP TO TYPICALLY HAND SIZE, BUT RIGHT UP TO METRE-SIZE CONES. SO THAT TELLS US THAT IN THAT LAYER OF ROCK, THERE WAS AN IMPACT. NOT ONLY THAT, IN THE SAME LAYER OF ROCKS THAT HAVE THE SHATTER CONES, WE FIND THESE THINGS CALLED SPHERULES. SO THEY'RE LITTLE GLASS BEADS, AND THEY'RE PRODUCED ALSO BY IMPACT, BUT THEY'RE PRODUCED BY AN IMPACT FAR AWAY. AND THERE ARE AEROFOIL MATERIAL THAT'S COME BACK DOWN INTO THE ROCK. SO THIS ACTUALLY IS NOT EVIDENCE OF JUST A SINGLE IMPACT. WE'VE GOT EVIDENCE OF A CRATER FROM THE SHATTER CONES, BUT WE ALSO HAVE EVIDENCE OF ANOTHER IMPACT MUCH FURTHER AWAY. AND THAT'S REALLY USEFUL AND FITS WITH OUR MODELS AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE EARLY EARTH WOULD BE LIKE, COS WE THINK THE EARLY EARTH WOULD HAVE HAD MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE IMPACTS. AND THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SEE IN THE MOON. THIS IS NOT A ONE-OFF, UNIQUE EVENT. IT'S TELLING US ABOUT A PROCESS THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PROCESS ON OUR EARLY PLANET. WHAT DOES THIS DISCOVERY TELL US ABOUT EARTH'S EARLY HISTORY? YEAH, SO IT REALLY HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE FLUX OF METEORITE IMPACTS INTO THE INNER SOLAR SYSTEM AND INTO EARTH. THAT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THAT BRINGS TREMENDOUS ENERGY INTO OUR PLANET. AND THAT ENERGY MELTS ROCKS. WHEN ROCKS MELT, THEY SEPARATE, SO YOU GET MATERIAL THAT'S LEFT BEHIND, MATERIAL THAT THEN MELTS AND IS BUOYANT AND FLOATS UP. SO IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND ` THIS IS A TECHNICAL TERM ` IT'S CALLED THE DIFFERENTIATION OF OUR PLANET, WHICH PRODUCES THE CONTINENTS THAT WE LIVE ON. BUT NOT ONLY THAT, ALL THAT ENERGY THAT COMES IN CREATES THESE HOT WATER CIRCULATION CELLS. AND THAT KIND OF FEEDS INTO THE IDEA THAT DARWIN HAD ` THESE HOT, WARM LITTLE POOLS THAT LIFE MIGHT HAVE STARTED. AND SO BY HAVING THESE IMPACT CRATERS WHERE THERE'S TREMENDOUS HEAT ENERGY, BUT IT'S ALSO FRACTURED THE ROCK, YOU CAN IMAGINE ALL THE SORTS OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING THERE. AND IT'S A PLACE THAT PEOPLE HAVE LONG THOUGHT MIGHT HAVE SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE. NOW, THE REASON THE NORTH POLE CRATER, THE NORTH POLE DOME AND THE PILBARA CRATON IS ACTUALLY REALLY QUITE INTERESTING IN RESPECT TO THIS IS IT HAS STROMATOLITES. STROMATOLITES ARE FOSSIL, ALGAL, UM, EARLY COMMUNITIES OF LIFE, AND THEY'RE WITHIN THE SAME SEQUENCE OF ROCKS. SO THIS IS REALLY QUITE AN EXCITING DISCOVERY, NOT ONLY TELLING US ABOUT CRATONS, OLD PARTS OF CRUST, BUT IT ALSO TELLS US POTENTIALLY ABOUT HOW LIFE MIGHT HAVE GOT KICKSTARTED ON EARTH. IS THERE STILL MORE RESEARCH TO BE DONE AT THE SITE? AT THE LOCAL SITE, THERE'S MUCH MORE WORK THAT COULD BE DONE TO UNDERSTAND ALL THOSE INTERESTING GEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES THAT WOULD BE ONGOING WHEN AN IMPACT WOULD HAPPEN. BUT NOT ONLY THAT ` I THINK BY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS THIS ANCIENT CRATER, IT REALLY POINTS TO THE IDEA THAT WE CAN FIND THESE ANCIENT CRATERS. THEY ALL MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN RECYCLED. SO THIS IS THE CURRENTLY OLDEST CRATER THAT WE KNOW ABOUT. THERE IS CERTAINLY PLENTY OF OTHERS JUST WAITING TO BE FOUND. WE JUST HAVE A DIFFICULTY IN FINDING THEM, BECAUSE OUR PLANET HAS, YOU KNOW, RECYCLING PROCESSES, AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, BUT THEY DEFINITELY HAVE TO BE THERE. LIKE, EVERY PART OF OUR PLANET WILL AT SOME POINT, IF YOU GO FAR ENOUGH BACK INTO ITS HISTORY, HAVE SEEN AN IMPACT. FASCINATING STUFF. VERY QUICKLY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WAS CHRIS KIRKLAND FROM CURTIN UNIVERSITY. STILL TO COME ON THE SHOW THIS MORNING ` HOW WORRIED SHOULD NEW ZEALAND TESLA OWNERS BE ABOUT THE PROTESTS AND BACKLASH AGAINST COMPANY OWNER ELON MUSK. PLUS, WHO WILL MAKE THE CUT AND MOW DOWN THE COMPETITION? LOCAL PETROLHEADS PREPARE FOR AOTEAROA'S FIRST EVER NATIONAL LAWNMOWER RACING CHAMPIONSHIP. OH, THAT LOOKS SO GOOD. LOVE IT. PLUS, COULD THIS CREEPY CRAWLY INTRUDER FROM AUSTRALIA BE MAKING ITSELF AT HOME ON OUR SHORES? EW, THANK YOU. I THINK IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ME READING NEWS, BUT ARE YOU OK OVER THERE? OH, IS IT? I WILL TAKE THIS ONE, JENNY MADE ` DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. IN DEVELOPING NEWS ` UKRAINE HAS ACCEPTED A CEASEFIRE WITH RUSSIA, WITH THE U.S. AGREEING TO LIFT ITS PAUSE ON INTELLIGENCE SHARING AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE. IT FOLLOWS HOURS-LONG DIPLOMATIC TALKS TAKING PLACE IN SAUDI ARABIA BETWEEN U.S. AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS. TO END THE WAR WITH RUSSIA. IN A JOINT STATEMENT, UKRAINE SAYS IT'S READY TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED 30-DAY CEASEFIRE AS A PERMANENT PEACE IS NEGOTIATED. THE U.S. SAYS IT WILL TAKE THE DEAL TO RUSSIA IN THE COMING DAYS. AND WE HOPE THAT THEY'LL SAY YES, THAT THEY'LL SAY YES TO PEACE. THE BALL IS NOW IN THEIR COURT. BUT AGAIN, THE PRESIDENT'S OBJECTIVE HERE IS NUMBER ONE, ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE ` HE WANTS THE WAR TO END, AND I THINK TODAY UKRAINE HAS TAKEN A CONCRETE STEP IN THAT REGARD. WE HOPE THE RUSSIANS WILL RECIPROCATE. MEANWHILE, OVERNIGHT ATTACKS CONTINUED, THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN RUSSIA IN THE BIGGEST DRONE ATTACK OVER THE MOSCOW REGION. ONE HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME PROVIDER SAYS THE OBJECTIVE TO SAVE MONEY IS GOOD, BUT THE CURRENT FORMAT IS NOT REALISTIC. IT FOLLOWS ONE LUNCH PROVIDER, LIBELLE GROUP, GOING INTO LIQUIDATION YESTERDAY. THIS HAS HEIGHTENED CONCERNS AMONG PROVIDERS WHO WERE CONTRACTED TO THE OLD SCHEME, SUCH AS TRUST HOUSE. IT'S NOW JOINED 60 OTHERS WITH A UNIFIED 'PLAN B', SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT WANT IT. WE COULD PUT A PRICE IN THAT WOULD BE LESS THAN THE AVERAGE OF $7 THAT IT USED TO BE, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE $3 OR $4. WE THINK THE LUNCH CURRENTLY COSTS AROUND ABOUT $5. HE BELIEVES THE CURRENT SYSTEM ISN'T SUSTAINABLE AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. TWO OF OUR VERY OWN RISING MOTORSPORT STARS WILL BE HITTING THE TRACK THIS WEEKEND AT MELBOURNE'S ALBERT PARK. F1 DRIVER LIAM LAWSON WILL MAKE HIS DEBUT FOR RED BULL AT THE MELBOURNE GRAND PRIX, PARTNERING FOUR-TIME CHAMP MAX VERSTAPPEN. IT COULD PAVE THE WAY FOR A REUNION WITH SUPERCARS DRIVER MATT PAYNE, WHO GREW UP ON THE SAME STREET AS LAWSON AND WILL BE RACING IN THE SUPER SPRINT EVENT AT THE SAME VENUE. IT IS REALLY COOL TO BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE OUR RACING. THEY ARE VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE AND VERY FULL ON RACES THAT WE DO. RACING GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR HAMILTON. 21 FOR PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN THE SOUTH. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS, WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY RISING TO A GALE LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR NELSON. AND LOOK AT THIS ` IT IS A LITTLE BIT COOLER IN INVERCARGILL. 13 DEGREES. AS TESLA FOUNDER ELON MUSK CONTINUES HIS CONTROVERSIAL WORK FOR DONALD TRUMP, STOCKS IN THE ELECTRIC CAR COMPANY HAVE TANKED TO A FIVE-YEAR LOW. NOW DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL THE VEHICLES AND OWNERS OF THE EVs HAVE ALSO BECOME TARGETS FOR PROTESTERS AND VANDALS. AND THERE ARE CONCERNS HERE WITH POLICE INVESTIGATING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF WILFUL DAMAGE. JACOB JOHNSON HAS MORE. FROM ACTS OF VANDALISM... (CROWD CHANTS) ...TO PROTESTS OUTSIDE TESLA STORES, ANTI-ELON SENTIMENT IS GROWING IN THE U.S. WE COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT SALES AND INFLICT FINANCIAL PAIN ON HIM. IT LOOKS TO ME ` AND I'VE SEEN CARTOONS LIKE THIS ` THAT MUSK IS PULLING THE STRINGS AND THAT TRUMP IS A PUPPET. CONCERNS OVER ELON MUSK'S INVOLVEMENT WITH DONALD TRUMP AND HIS SPEARHEADING OF WIDESPREAD CUTS TO GOVERNMENT SPENDING HAS SOME OWNERS OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES TRYING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE WORLD'S RICHEST MAN... # TIME TO... ...WHETHER IT'S GETTING RID OF THEIR CARS ENTIRELY OR BUYING BUMPER STICKERS TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS CLEAR. THERE ARE FEARS THE CONTROVERSY AROUND ELON MUSK IS ALSO BEING FELT HERE. THIS SIGN IN WELLINGTON MARKED WITH GRAFFITI RECENTLY. VEHICLES HERE ALSO MARKED. SO SHOULD NEW ZEALAND TESLA OWNERS BE WORRIED? AND JACOB JOINS US NOW FOR MORE. KIA ORA, JACOB. GOOD MORNING, GUYS. I AM JOINED BY KIRSTEN COURSED IN THIS MORNING FROM DRIVE ELECTRIC WHICH IS AN INDUSTRY BODY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JACOB. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE VANDALISM AND THE PROTESTS THAT WE ARE SEEING OVERSEAS AGAINST TESLA? IT IS CERTAINLY A CRAZY TIME IN WORLD POLITICS RIGHT NOW, AND IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE PEOPLE'S PERSONAL PROPERTY BEING VANDALISED FULL STOP. IT HAS SPILLED OVER TO NEW ZEALAND AS WELL. WE HAVE SEEN DAMAGE TO TESLA VEHICLES AND STORES. OVER THE WEEKEND, THERE WERE SIX REPORTS OF WILFUL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES. DOES THAT CONCERN YOU THAT WE ARE SEEING THAT HERE IN NEW ZEALAND AS WELL? I THINK IT CONCERNS ALL KIWIS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, DAMAGING A TEST LIKE DOES NOT AFFECT ELON AT ALL. IT AFFECTS PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO BUY A VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS A PETROL CAR OR NE EV YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY BEING DAMAGED. TESLA WAS SEEN AS A WORLD LEADER IN THIS SPACE MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY STARTED UP. WHAT DOES THIS DO FOR THE ELECTRIC CAR COMMUNITY? TESLA IS A FANTASTIC BRAND, BUT IT IS ONE BRAND AMONGST MANY. THERE ARE ANOTHER 100 EV BRANDS AROUND THE WORLD. SO IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE ANY EV DAMAGED AND VANDALISED. WE HAVE SEEN TESLA STOCK PLUMMET. DO YOU THINK WE COULD SEE FEWER PEOPLE OPTING FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE? NO, BECAUSE THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC. THEY MAKE SENSE FINANCIALLY, FROM A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY. WE HAVE SEEN SALES GROW YEAR ON YEAR GLOBALLY. IN NEW ZEALAND, WE HAVE HAD A FEW IMPACTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT COMING IN AND REMOVING THINGS LIKE SUBSIDIES WHICH IS AFFECTING EV SALES, BUT SALES ARE STRONG. WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE IMPACTS HERE IN NEW ZEALAND. THERE HAS BEEN VANDALISM TO VEHICLES AND STOREFRONTS. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO TESLA OWNERS? WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE GETTING RID OF THEIR CARS, PUTTING BUMPER STICKERS SAYING THINGS LIKE THEY DON'T SUPPORT ELON MUSK. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? IF YOU CAN, PARK YOUR CAR IN THE GARAGE, OTHERWISE KEEP CALM AND EV ON. WHAT ABOUT VANDALS? WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM? YOU ARE NOT IMPACTING ELON AT ALL. THIS IS THE UNFORTUNATE THING. YOU ARE IMPACTING HARD-WORKING KIWIS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUY THEIR CAR. NO IMPACT ON ELON ` JUST STOP DOING IT. OBVIOUSLY ELON MUSK IS FIRMLY EMBEDDED IN ONE OR TRUMPS SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT. YOU CONCERNED WE COULD SEE THIS KIND OF PROTEST, VANDALISM, CONTINUE, POTENTIALLY WRAP UP? RAMP UP* I OBVIOUSLY HOPE NOT. I HOPE KIWIS SEE SENSE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE U.S. MARKET. PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING OUT AND VANDALISING OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY, GIVE YOURSELF AN UPPERCUT. NOTHING IRRITATES ME MORE THAN THAT. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT PEOPLE'S POLITICAL PERSUASION IF THEY OWN A TESLA. WHAT IS THAT HE YOU? IT IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS. YOU ARE FIRED UP ABOUT THAT. IT IRRITATES ME TO NO END. AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE DO IT HERE ` IDIOTS. LET'S GO TO A HAPPY PLACE, SHALL WE? IT'S TIME FOR OUR REGULAR FORAY INTO THE TVNZ ARCHIVE ` FULL OF EVIDENCE THAT TIMES REALLY DO CHANGE. NOW, VIEWERS OF A CERTAIN VINTAGE WILL REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN MILK WAS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR IN GLASS BOTTLES. TODAY, IT'S MOSTLY PACKAGED IN PLASTIC YOU PICK UP AT THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET. BUT IT WASN'T A SMOOTH TRANSITION. JUST TAKE A LOOK AT HOW INVERCARGILL REACTED. (BOTTLES CLANG) THIS IS A SOUND YOU MAY NEVER HEAR IN SOUTHLAND AGAIN. TODAY, THE ONLY MILK PLANT FOR THE AREA STOPPED USING GLASS BOTTLES, BUT THIS MOVE HAS BROUGHT A BACKLASH FROM SOME LOCALS, WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR DISPLEASURE BY DUMPING THE PLASTIC BACK ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE DISTRIBUTOR, SOUTHERN FRESH. PEOPLE SAY THIS IS VILE AND TERRIBLE, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND TO OUR WORLD? AND THAT'S REALLY, REALLY SPECIAL TO ME. WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE LOOKED AT IT FROM A COMPLETELY COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. WE'RE A SMALL, SOUTHLAND-OWNED AND OPERATED COMPANY, AND IT WOULD BE A COMMERCIALLY UNVIABLE FOR US TO CONTINUE WITH THE GLASS BOTTLE, AND ALL THOSE THINGS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE MADE THIS DECISION. (TRUCK HORN HONKS MELODICALLY) STEVE MACKINELLY IS ONE OF THE LOCAL VENDORS OPPOSED TO THE DROPPING OF GLASS. STEVE SAYS HIS REGULAR CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN SLOWING HIM DOWN RECENTLY WITH THEIR COMPLAINTS THAT GLASS IS GOING. THEY WANT GLASS. THEY WANNA SHOW A BIT OF CLASS AND USE IT. UNDER THE MILK ACT, THESE VENDORS CAN SELL MILK ONLY FROM SOUTHERN FRESH. BUT NOW THEY WANT THE MILK AUTHORITY TO ALLOW THEM TO CROSS THE COUNTY LINE AND BRING GLASS-BOTTLED MILK IN FROM OTAGO. THE THREAT HAS BEEN MADE. THEY... UNDER THE MILK ACT, THAT WOULD BE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THAT, AND THEY WOULD BE BREAKING THE LAW UNLESS THE MILK AUTHORITY GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO DO SO. THE MILK ACT WAS SET UP TO, UM, MAKE SURE THAT HOME DELIVERY CONTINUED, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE, AND AT THIS POINT, IT'S HYPOTHETICAL. IT HASN'T HAPPENED, AND WE HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T. ANSWERING PART OF THE COMPLAINT AGAINST IT, SOUTHERN FRESH HAS STARTED SENDING THE PLASTIC TO A RECYCLING PLANT IN CHRISTCHURCH. BUT THAT HASN'T SATISFIED EVERYONE. AND I FEEL DOWN HERE WE'VE GOT A GOOD HOME DELIVERY SERVICE. THE MAJORITY OF` IN THE TOWNS GET IT EVERY NIGHT, GET IT AT THE REGULAR TIME. BUT I'M AFRAID THAT YOU'RE GONNA LOSE THAT. AND I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT, YOU KNOW, THAT... I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PUBLIC OF WHAT THEY'VE DONE WITH THE GLASS. WHAT WE GOTTA DO IS TO SAY, 'SOUTHERN FRESH, 'YOU CAN'T GO ON LIKE THIS. YOU'RE RIPPING OFF THE PEOPLE. 'YOU'RE RIPPING OFF THE COUNCIL. STOP IT OFF! GO BACK INTO BOTTLES!' (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) THE DEMISE OF THE OLD BOTTLING PLANT IS THE MAIN REASON THE COMPANY GIVES FOR STOPPING GLASSED MILK PRODUCTION IN INVERCARGILL. BUT SOUTHERN FRESH WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO FILM IN THE PLANT TODAY. THE REASONS THEY GAVE WERE COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITY AND HYGIENE. BUT FROM TOMORROW, THEY START PULLING DOWN THIS PLANT, AND THAT MAY BE THE END OF MILK IN GLASS IN INVERCARGILL. VERY HEATED IN THAT MEETING. WASN'T IT JUST? THAT YOU WERE GETTING TANGLED UP ABOUT THE VANDALISM SHOWN IN THE. THAT IS EASILY REMEDIED ` YOU CAN PICK THOSE BACKUP. IT IS NOT LIKE SPRAYING A TESLA. I REMEMBER THE GLASS BOTTLES, AND THE SILVER TOP WAS THE ONE THAT HAD THE BIG CHUNK OF CREAM ON THE TOP, SO WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG... IS THAT WHAT STARTED YOUR COFFEE AND CREAM...? YOUR MUM WOULD COOK THE PORRIDGE, AND THAT WOULD BE A RUSH, AND EVERYONE WOULD BE AT THE TABLE WANTING TO TAKE THE CREAM OUT OF THE BOTTLE, BECAUSE THERE WAS ONLY ONE BOTTLE ` COULDN'T AFFORD ANY MORE THAN THAT. ONCE IT WAS GONE, IT WAS GONE. AND THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS, CHRIS CHANG. THE OLD DAYS WHEN THE MILK ACT WAS A THING. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ` VERY IMPORTANT. BRILLIANT. LOVETHOSE LITTLE LOOKS BACK. ME U TONU MAI ` FORGET NEAT EDGES OR PRETTY PATTERNS. LOCAL LAWNMOWER ENTHUSIASTS ARE READY TO KICK SOME GRASS IN THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL COMPETITION. # REAL LOVE. (UPBEAT MUSIC) WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. UKRAINE HAS ACCEPTED A PROPOSED 30-DAY CEASEFIRE, WITH THE U.S. TAKING THE DEAL TO RUSSIA IN THE COMING DAYS. THE TRADE WAR BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CANADA CONTINUES TO DEVELOP. ONTARIO IS BACKING DOWN ON PLANNED ELECTRICITY EXPORT SURCHARGES AFTER THE U.S. DOUBLED ITS TARIFFS ON CANADIAN METAL. AND SCIENTISTS IN AUSTRALIA HAVE DISCOVERED WHAT COULD BE THE OLDEST KNOWN IMPACT CRATER ON EARTH, DATING BACK MORE THAN 2.4 BILLION YEARS. IT IS 8:18. START YOUR ENGINES ` ON WHAT COULD BE THE MOST WELL-KEPT RACETRACK YOU'VE EVER SEEN. BREAKFAST CAN REVEAL THAT THE LAWNMOWER RACING COMMUNITY WILL BE REVVING UP THEIR MODIFIED MACHINES AT THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL COMPETITION NEXT MONTH. AND JUST ABOUT ANYONE CAN GET AMONGST THE SPORT WITH AN OLD MOWER AND SOME D.I.Y. SPIRIT. BARRY DAWE, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW ZEALAND LAWNMOWER RACING ASSOCIATION, JOINS US NOW. BARRY, I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ASSOCIATION. HOW DID YOU BECOME PRESIDENT? PEOPLE VOTED ME IN. THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN GOING SINCE ABOUT 2011. I STARTED RACING ABOUT AND THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN GOING SINCE ABOUT 2011. I STARTED RACING 2008. WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR AWHILE. WE THOUGHT, WHY NOT RACE IN THE SAME PADDOCK WITH THE SAME RULES. HOW DOES ONE GO FROM MOWING LAWNS TO RACING LAWNMOWERS AT TOP SPEED? ONCE THEY ARE RETIRED, WE RACE THEM. WE DO A FEW MODIFICATIONS. PUT SOME DECENT STEERING AND BRAKES, PUT A LAWNMOWER ENGINE. ASIDE FROM THAT, THE RULES ARE ALL UP ON THE WEBSITE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY. PRESUMABLY YOU TAKE THE BLADES, RIGHT? YES. YOU CAN STILL MOW THE LAWNS. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS SPORT, AND HOW DID WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE RUNNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP? FUNNY STORY ` I WAS ACTUALLY ON AN A&P SHOW AND PULLED A LAWNMOWER OUT OF THE RUBBISH BIN, AND BASICALLY STARTED. STARTED BUILDING. I HAD NO MONEY. THERE WAS NO INFORMATION AROUND AT THE TIME. I JUST KEEP DOING IT, AND SINCE THEN I HAVE STARTED A YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHICH IS TO HELP PEOPLE TO GET INTO LAWNMOWER RACING. SHARING EVERYTHING, MAKING AS EASY AS POSSIBLE. WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? BECAUSE I CAN HEAR THE ENTHUSIASM IN YOUR VOICE. WHAT IS IT ABOUT GETTING ON YOUR LAWNMOWER AND RAISING IT AROUND THE TRACK? WHERE ELSE CAN YOU ENTER FOR 20 BUCKS, OR FOR SENIORS, 10 BUCKS? JUNIORS AS WELL ONLY PAY 10 BUCKS TO RACE. HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FUN, HAVE A CATCH UP AFTERWARDS, WITH SORE BODIES AFTER RACING ANYWAY. WHY WOULDN'T YOU? SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR. BARRY, IT IS CHRIS FROM THE STUDIO. I AM CURRENTLY ROCKING A RYIOBI BRUSHLESS LAWNMOWER. I ASSUME I CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THAT? WE ARE LOOKING ELECTRIC LAWNMOWERS. WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH THAT AT THE MOMENT. THE TECHNOLOGY IS OUT THERE, SO IT IS ABOUT GETTING SOMEBODY TO DO IT. WE ARE LOOKING AT CHANGING THE LAWS TO MAKE IT WORK. YOU COULD HAVE A SEPARATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE ELECTRIC ONE. IT IS A BIT COMPLICATED, ISN'T IT? TO BE FAIR, THEY ARE NOT BUILT LIKE THEY USED TO BE. A BIT MORE PLASTIC ` YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T DO SOME OF THE SAME THINGS WITH MODERN LAWNMOWERS? STICK A BIT OF BRACING ON THE BOTTOM OF THEM, AND AWAY YOU GO. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN. WE HAVE PEOPLE RACING FROM 8 TO 78. DO YOU HAVE AN ACTUAL LAWNMOWER FOR YOUR LAWNS? OR DO YOU JUST SOUPED THEM UP AND RACE THEM? MY LAWNS ARE QUITE SMALL. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPETING AND CAN PEOPLE STILL GET IN? YES, YOU CAN GET IN, BUT YOU HAVE TO TO BE A MEMBER OF A CLUB, AND YOU NEED A WARRANT OF FITNESS. WE HAVE RULES TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAFE. AND RACING LIKE FOR LIKE. WE HAVE JUNIOR CLASS, CLASS I, CLASS II, CLASS III. WE ARE RACING IN MORRINSVILLE ON EASTER WEEKEND, AND IT WILL BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL NEW ZEALAND LAWNMOWER RACING CHAMPS FOR THE DATE. WE HAD THE OFFICIAL CHAMPS IN ROTORUA. THE BODY WAS SORE AFTER THAT ` ONE HOUR OF RACING. YOUR BODY WOULD BE SORE AFTER THAT. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU GOT COMPETING? HOW MANY PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR THE NATIONALS? WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 100 MOWERS REGISTERED. THAT IS IN SOUTH ISLAND, HAWKE'S BAY, WAIKATO, BAY OF PLENTY. SO FROM THERE WE PROBABLY EXPECT TO HAVE 30 OR 40 PEOPLE TURN UP. WHAT IS THE PRIZE? WE HAVE TROPHIES. IT IS BASICALLY BRAGGING RIGHTS, BUT YOU HAVE TROPHIES TO TAKE HOME ` FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD. IF WE GET SOME SPONSORS ON BOARD, WE WILL HAVE PRIZES AS WELL. I HAVE ALREADY DROPPED THE NAME RYOBI. SO THEY BETTER TAKE THAT. ALL THE BEST. AND WHO KNEW? BETTER GET TO THAT. IT LOOKS GOOD. LAWNMOWER RACING ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. VOTED IN AS WELL. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 8.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS, WE'RE HITTING THE DANCE FLOOR. MORENA, LUCY BENDELL. MORENA, CHRIS. I ALWAYS MANAGED TO FIND A DANCE FLOOR. WE ARE CATCHING UP WITH SOME DANCERS DEBUTING AT THE AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THEIR TALENT AND PASSION AFTER THE BREAK (STARTLES) Shhh. (SOFT GRUNT) You've had a big day, Dad. VOICEOVER: Imagine if instead of the kids wearing you out... (SNORING) ..you wore them out. Get AIA Vitality and start thriving. SUCH A GOOD SHOT. MORENA, TAMAKI MAKAURAU. AUCKLAND 23, A FEW SHOWERS, MAINLY AROUND MIDDAY. SHOWERS CLEARING THIS AFTERNOON, BUT CLOUDY PERIODS REMAINING. SOUTHWESTERLIES, BECOMING FRESH THIS MORNING. WELLINGTON, A FEW SHOWERS FOR YOU TODAY. SOUTHERLIES, BECOMING STRONG THIS AFTERNOON. AND A HIGH OF 18 DEGREES. DUNEDIN ` 14 DEGREES TODAY, OCCASIONAL RAIN, CLEARING THIS AFTERNOON, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE CLOUDY. THE CHANCE OF A SHOWER OR TWO FROM EVENING. STRONG SOUTHERLIES, EASING THIS EVENING. THAT SOUNDS GOOD. IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT COLDER, ISN'T IT? BUT THE FAN BACK ON THE LAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS. UKRAINE HAS ACCEPTED A CEASEFIRE WITH RUSSIA, WITH THE U.S. AGREEING TO LIFT ITS PAUSE ON INTELLIGENCE SHARING AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE. IT FOLLOWS HOURS-LONG DIPLOMATIC TALKS TAKING PLACE IN SAUDI ARABIA BETWEEN U.S. AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS. IN A JOINT STATEMENT, UKRAINE SAYS IT'S READY TO ACCEPT THE 30-DAY CEASEFIRE. MEANWHILE, OVERNIGHT ATTACKS CONTINUED, WITH THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN RUSSIA. ONTARIO'S PREMIER HAS AGREED TO SUSPEND A SURCHARGE ON ELECTRICITY EXPORTED TO THE U.S. IN A BID TO DE-ESCALATE CANADA'S TRADE WAR WITH ITS AMERICAN NEIGHBOURS. IT COMES AFTER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED HE'LL DOUBLE THE TARIFFS ON CANADIAN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM. THE PLANNED 25% TAX ON METAL IMPORTS, WHICH COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY, WILL NOW RISE TO 50%. THE U.S. IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST IMPORTER OF ALUMINIUM AND SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF STEEL. A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER A CARGO SHIP COLLIDED WITH AN OIL TANKER OFF ENGLAND'S NORTHEAST COAST. THE 59-YEAR-OLD WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE HOMICIDE AFTER THE SEARCH FOR ONE MISSING CREW MEMBER WAS CALLED OFF. LOCAL POLICE SAY A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE COLLISION IS UNDERWAY. MEANWHILE, AUTHORITIES ARE STILL WORKING TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE ABOARD THE CARGO SHIP. LABOUR LEADER CHRIS HIPKINS SAYS 'TEACHERS AND CHILDREN ARE SUFFERING' AFTER THE GOVERNMENT REVAMPED THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMME. IT COMES AFTER ONE LUNCH PROVIDER, LIBELLE GROUP, WENT INTO LIQUIDATION YESTERDAY. IT'S HEIGHTENED CONCERNS AMONG PROVIDERS WHO WERE CONTRACTED TO THE OLD SCHEME, AND NOW 60 PEOPLE HAVE JOINED WITH A UNIFIED 'PLAN B', SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT WANT IT. HIPKINS AGREES THAT $3 IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG HAS GONE WRONG WITH THE SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAMME. DAVID SEYMOUR IGNORED ALL THE ADVICE AT THE BEGINNING THAT HIS CUT-PRICE LUNCHES WEREN'T GOING TO WORK, AND NOW, ULTIMATELY, KIDS AND TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF THAT. YOU KNOW, $3 A DAY FOR A LUNCH SIMPLY ISN'T ENOUGH. HE BELIEVES THE OLD LUNCH PROGRAMME WAS SUSTAINABLE AND GAVE STUDENTS NUTRITIOUS MEALS. KIWI SCIENTISTS INVOLVED IN A CTE RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO FIND OUT HOW THEY CAN SOMEDAY DIAGNOSE IT IN LIVING PEOPLE. THE BRAIN DISEASE LINKED TO REPEATED HEAD KNOCKS CAN CURRENTLY ONLY BE DIAGNOSED IN DEATH. BUT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS HAVE DISCOVERED NEW PATTERNS OF INFLAMMATION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE FOUND WHILE A PERSON IS STILL ALIVE. OUR AMERICAN COLLEAGUES ARE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WITHIN FIVE TO 10 YEARS, WE WILL HAVE A MORE ROBUST SET OF DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS FOR CTE. THE BIG PICTURE HERE IS THAT IT'S ABOUT THOSE REPEATED HEAD IMPACTS OVER TIME ` NOT NECESSARILY CONCUSSIONS, BUT ALL OF THE EXPOSURE TO LOT OF IMPACTS NOT NECESSARILY CONCUSSIONS, BUT ALL OF THE EXPOSURE TO LOTS OF IMPACTS AND HEAD MOVEMENT DURING TRAININGS AND GAMES. AND I THINK EVERY SPORT IS GONNA BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF HOW THEY MIGHT WANNA TRY AND REDUCE THAT. DR HELEN MURRAY IS LOOKING TO WORK WITH MRI SPECIALISTS AND EXPERTS IN BLOOD TESTS. IT'S HOPED THAT ONCE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE DISEASE, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO FIND TREATMENTS. TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. NORTH ISLAND PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE FINE START TO THE DAY IN GISBORNE BEFORE TURNING CLOUDY IN THE AFTERNOON. 24 THE HIGH FOR HAMILTON. 21 FOR PALMERSTON NORTH. A CLOUDY DAY FOR MOST IN TE WAI POUNAMU. FOR THOSE ALONG THE EAST COAST, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN AND WIND. FOR SOME PLACES IT WILL EASE IN THE AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, KAIKOURA WILL HAVE ISOLATED SHOWERS, WITH A SOUTHWESTERLY RISING TO A GALE LATER IN THE DAY. 23 THE HIGH FOR NELSON. 13 IN INVERCARGILL. FOR 45 YEARS, LULA WASHINGTON DANCE THEATRE HAS CAPTIVATED AUDIENCES ACROSS THE WORLD. IT'S KNOWN FOR POWERFUL, HIGH-ENERGY PERFORMANCE, UNIQUE CHOREOGRAPHY AND WORKS ROOTED IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND HISTORY, AND NOW IT'S IN AOTEAROA AS PART OF THE AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL. LUCY BENDELL IS CHECKING IT OUT FOR US. MORENA, LUCY. GOOD MORNING TEAM. I'M JUST BEGINNING AWAY WITH THESE LOVELY LADIES, LEARNING FROM THE EXPERTS. THE CREATIVES BEHIND IT ALL ` DIRECTORS, CHOREOGRAPHERS, A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. WE HAVE YOUR PIECE COMING UP TOMORROW FOR THE PREMIER. I WANT YOU TO TELL ME ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE AND WHAT'S INSIDE. TOMORROW'S PERFORMANCE IS GOING TO BE AMAZING. YOU HAVE A MIX ON THE SHOW BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THERE ARE TWO PIECES BEING PREMIERED. MY PIECE IS CALLED "AND WE CAN FLY" IT'S A STORY ABOUT PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER, SISTERHOOD, LOVE, AND I THINK IT SPEAKS TO WHAT WE NEED NOW TODAY. IT LOOKS BACK AT OLD PRACTICES WE DON'T DO ANYMORE AND IT'S BASED ON AN IMPORTANT PART OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE. WE HAVE LIVE MUSIC ATTACHED TO THAT PIECE. IT DOES ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES WITHIN THE STORY OF HOPE, BECAUSE WE NEED HER. WE NEED HER RIGHT NOW. HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL BE INSPIRED BY THE WORK THAT THEY SEE TOMORROW. THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. (CHUCKLES) SO YEAH, THERE'S A WIDE RANGE OF MOVEMENT VOCABULARY WE ARE OFFERING HERE. BALLET, MODERN, CODIFIED TECHNIQUES THAT LULU USES IN HER WORK, THAT I USE IN MY WORK, THE DIASPORA OF WHAT IS AFRICAN MOVEMENT. BEAUTIFULLY SAID. AND I WANT TO MENTION, THE MOST IMPORTANT CONNECTION HERE ` MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. LULA, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PIECE. BEFORE I TELL YOU ABOUT MY PIECE, I NEED TO SAY THAT TAMIKA'S PIECE, THE MUSIC WAS COMPOSED BY MY SON IN LAW MARCUS MILLER. THE HOPE, AS SHE SAID... WE ARE WAITING FOR HER, WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD WILL SAVE THE WORLD. MY PIECE IS CALLED, UH... THE MASTER PLAN. AND ITS TO THE MUSIC OF FERRELL SANDERS, a VERY FAMOUS JAZZY MUSICIAN. IT'S ABOUT PEACE AND LOVE AND SHARING THAT MESSAGE AND TAKING IT AROUND THE WORLD AND FINDING THE CENTRE OF YOUR CORE AND FINDING YOUR BALANCE. BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF BALANCE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP. YOU OUT OF ALIGNMENT. YOU ARE IN PAIN, THE WORLD IS IN PAIN. PEOPLE ARE IN PAIN AND SEARCHING FOR SOME SENSE OF BALANCE. MY PIECE IS AN ABSTRACT LOOK AT FINDING YOUR OWN INNER BALANCE, FINDING YOUR OWN CALMNESS. I HAVE ANOTHER PIECE CALLED ' WE WEAR THE MASK' WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM 'THE MASTER PLAN' WHICH IS ALSO MUSIC COMPOSED BY MARCUS MILLER. IT STARTED OUT BEING ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE BUT IN REALITY IT IS ABOUT ALL PEOPLE. ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE IMMIGRANTS, WHO HAVE COME FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE WHO HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT THEY LOOK TO FIT INTO SOCIETY. THEY HAVE HAD TO PUT A DIFFERENT LOOK ON THEIR FACE WHEN THEY HAVE GONE TO A JOB. MY PIECES CALLED WE WEAR THE MASK. THE MASK IS SYMBOLIC OF A UNIVERSAL MASK BUT EVERY PERSON THAT FEELS THAT HATE THAT HAS COME AT THEM. SO FINALLY, THE DANCER TAKES OFF THAT MASK AND REVEALS THEIR TRUE BEAUTY, SAYING TO THE WORLD, THIS IS WHO I REALLY AM. I'M NOT DOING THAT NO MORE; THIS IS THE REAL ME. BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME, MY TRUE SELF. THAT IS THAT PIECE. THE NEXT PIECE WE ARE DOING IS A PIECE THAT CAME OUT OF THE GEORGE FLOYD SITUATION, WITH HIS MURDER, AND IT'S PART OF A DANCE CALLED 'TODAY' AND IT'S PART OF AN ISSUE PIECE WHERE WE ARE DOING EXCERPTS FROM IT BECAUSE YOU SEE ALL THE THINGS STILL HAPPENING TODAY THAT HAPPENED THEN AND BEFORE THAT AND BEFORE THAT AND SINCE 1619 FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE. AND YOU SEE WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND AT THE END WE ARE ALL SAYING, WE ARE STILL HERE. SO MANY IMPORTANT MESSAGES IN THERE. HOW DO YOU WANT THE AUDIENCE TO FEEL? I KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GO ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY. I WANT THEM TO COME WITH OPENNESS, TO RECEIVE. THEY ARE GOING TO BE MOVED BY THE MUSIC, THE CONCEPTS. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LEAVE WITH SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PUT SOMETHING I DO THIS TOGETHER? I WILL ANSWER SOME OF THAT QUESTION TOO. THEY SHOULD FEEL GOOD WHEN THEY LEAVE AND UPLIFTED, IN THE WHOLE THING SHOULD SPARK CONVERSATION AMONG PEOPLE ` HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS PIECE? BUT PEOPLE WILL BE TOUCHED. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU ARE MOVED. AND YOU WANT TO GET UP AND DANCE. YOU WILL. IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN. EVERYTHING THAT LULA SAID, AND THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AS WELL AND BE SHARING SPACE AND TIME WITH EVERYONE THERE IN THE AUDIENCE. I GUESS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO MOVE AS WELL. I CAN FEEL THE ENERGY AND PASSION AND TALENT THAT YOU LADIES HAVE. THERE ARE FOUR SHOWS FROM NOW UNTIL SUNDAY, SO TAKE IT AND QUICK. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LUCY. MOVING AND SONGS AND... THERE THEY GO. I'M GOING TO READ THIS ONE, BECAUSE WE JUST SPOKE TO LUCY. WE GOT OUR TEAM TO GO THROUGH THIS EXERCISE, LEARNING A LOT ABOUT OUR TEAM THIS MORNING. LUCY SAID THAT HER SONG IS 'THE TIDE IS HIGH' BY BLONDIE. THERE IS NO SERVICE OR RADIO WHERE I AM FROM AND WE ONLY HAD ONE CD IN THE CAR. KRISTOF ` EMO MUSIC REMINDS ME OF HIGH SCHOOL. HATED IT AT THE TIME. ALSO REMINDS ME OF THE C4 DAYS. CHARLOTTE ` SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW ` MY SISTER AND I USED TO PRACTICE IT ON THE UKULELE SO WE COULD HAVE CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM. E WHAI AKE NEI ` LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU'RE NOT A FAN OF SPIDERS. E WHAI AKE NEI ` LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU'RE NOT A FAN OF SPIDERS. NEXT ` HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE ABOUT AN AUSSIE INVADER TURNING UP HERE? VERY. (CHUCKLES) HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING ` AS TESLA FOUNDER ELON MUSK CONTINUES HIS CONTROVERSIAL WORK WITH DONALD TRUMP, STOCKS IN THE ELECTRIC CAR COMPANY HAVE DROPPED TO A FIVE-YEAR LOW. FIREFIGHTERS AND RESEARCHERS ARE LIGHTING CONTROLLED FIRES IN PADDOCKS TO LEARN BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW WILDFIRES BEHAVE. THE ROLLOUT OF THE REVAMPED FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAMME HAS FACED MORE CHALLENGES THAN THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED AS ONE OF THE PROVIDERS GOES INTO LIQUIDATION. IF YOU LIVE IN NAPIER, THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A BIT MORE THAN AN ITSY BITSY SPIDER CRAWLING UP YOUR WATER SPOUT. THE HUNTSMAN SPIDER HAS BEEN SPOTTED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN NINE MONTHS, WHICH SUGGESTS THEY'RE ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN THE AREA. TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT IS TE PAPA'S CURATOR OF INVERTEBRATES DR PHIL SIRVID. MORENA. DO YOU THINK THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BE ESTABLISHING ITSELF THERE? THEY SEEM TO BE MORE ESTABLISHED IN AUCKLAND. I WAS LOOKING ON I NATURALIST, THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PUT OBSERVATIONS OF INSECTS AND SPIDERS AND BIRDS, WHATEVER, AND OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO 20 OBSERVATIONS IN AUCKLAND OF THIS SPECIES, AROUND PLACES LIKE CORNWALL PARK AND VICTORIA PARK FOR EXAMPLE. THERE ARE ISOLATED RECORDS FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY TO, INCLUDING BLENHEIM. THIS IS AN AUSTRALIAN SPIDER. HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE SPIDERS AND FOR NATIVE INSECTS? THE IMPACT ON NATIVE INSECTS IS A MIX. THERE ARE SOME NATIVE INSECTS SITUATIONS BUT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF EXOTICS TOO. AS FAR AS PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT REALLY A THREAT TO PEOPLE. BUT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE SPIDERS, AND A NICE BIG SPIDER LIKE THIS WELL FREAK THEM OUT. THERE ARE MORE THAN 100 SPECIES OF HUNTSMEN. WE DON'T HAVE NATIVE SPECIES OF OUR OWN. BUT SOME OF THEM CAN COVER YOUR PALM QUITE EASILY. THEY ARE MOSTLY LEGS. WOW. ALL LEGS ` I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS ANY CONSOLATION TO ANYONE. IS IT COMMON FOR THESE KINDS OF SPIDERS TO MIGRATE? THIS ONE PROBABLY CAME VIA CARGO, SHIPPING GOODS. IN AUSTRALIA, THEY LIKE LIVING UNDER THE LOOSE BARK ON EUCALYPTUS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT PREDISPOSES THEM TO LIVE IN CRACKS AND CREVICES. THEY ARE QUITE FLAT SPIDERS, SO IT'S PRETTY HARD TO KEEP THEM OUT. MPI CAN'T STOP EVERYTHING. WE SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN CHRISTCHURCH IN 2006, BUT THEY DIDN'T SURVIVE. IS THAT TO DO WITH CONDITIONS AND HOW COLD IT IS? TO FORM A BREEDING POPULATION AS WELL. IF ONE COMES ON ITS OWN, THEN IT WILL LIKELY DIE, BUT IF A NUMBER OF THEM COME, THEN... IS IT USEFUL FOR PEOPLE TO DOCUMENT THEM SO WE CAN KEEP A HANDLE ON WHERE THESE THINGS ARE BEING CITED? *SIGHTED? YES. TRY AND CAPTURE IT AND RECORDED WITH MPI. IT COULD BE A DIFFERENT SPECIES ENTIRELY, SO IT MAY NEED AN EXPERT VIEWING TO WORK OUT WHAT IT IS. TRY AND CATCH THEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BEST TECHNIQUE WOULD BE FOR THAT. ONCE YOU HAVE IT IN THE JAR, YOU HAVE ALL THE POWER. IT CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOU ONCE IT'S IN THE JAR. JUST REMEMBER THAT. IT'S ALL LEGS, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. LINE IT UP, BACK AND INTO A CORNER AND THEN SHUFFLE IT IN. JUST THROW SOMETHING AT IT. I THINK THAT'S A BETTER IDEA. IT'S QUITE BIG ISN'T IT? SORRY, NOPE. YES IT DOES MATTER, BUT... ANYWAY, SORRY ABOUT THAT FOR ALL THE ARACHNOPHOBES. E HAERE AKE NEI ` WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK WITH A VERY SPECIAL PRIDE EVENT IN THE WAIRARAPA. JAMES FLEURY'S GONE ALONG. MORENA, JAMES. MORENA. I AM HERE WITH THE COMMUNITY OF FEATHERSTON, AND WE ARE GETTING READY FOR THE FIRST EVER PRIDE EVENT IN WHITE WAIRARAPA. WE ARE UNVEILING A SPECIAL MURAL SO MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN. # YOU WOULD LIKE TO THINK YOU ARE IMMUNE TO THE STUFF, # OH YEAH. PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY IN FEATHERSTON, AS THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR WAIRARAPA'S FIRST EVER PRIDE FESTIVAL. AND DESPITE THE POPULATION BEING SMALL, THE REGION HAS A RICH RAINBOW HISTORY. WELLINGTON REPORTER JAMES FLEURY IS THERE TO FIND OUT MORE. MORENA, JAMES. MORENA, TEAM. I AM HERE IN THE WONDERFUL TOWN OF FEATHERSTONE, AND WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF RESIDENTS WHO HAVE COME DOWN TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST EVER PRIDE WHICH WILL BE KICKING OFF IN WAIRARAPA THIS SATURDAY. THERE IS SO MUCH ON OFFER, AND I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE FANTASTIC ORGANISERS. WE HAVE AMY, MELISSA AND NIAMH. IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING EVENT, BUT I WILL START WITH YOU, MELISSA. WAIRARAPA PRIDE ` THE FIRST ONE. HOW EXCITED ARE YOU? IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR SO LONG. I HAVE MOVED HERE IN 2021. IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE WANTED TO DO SINCE THEN. GETTING THE WHOLE TOWN BINDER HAS BEEN A DREAM, AND WORKING WITH THESE TWO HAS BEEN A DREAM. TALK TO ME MORE ABOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY GETTING TOGETHER. I UNDERSTAND THE RSA IS INVOLVED. SO MANY BUSINESSES HAVE OFFERED TO SUPPORT US EITHER THROUGH DONATING STUFF FOR THE FESTIVAL. THERE IS DRAG BINGO ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT. WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE GETTING INVOLVED. RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT US BY VOLUNTEERING DURING THE DAY. IT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING, JUST HOW NICE EVERYONE IS. SO EXCITING, MELISSA. NIAMH, WHAT WILL SATURDAY LOOK LIKE? AMAZING MESS AND FABULOUS NEST. WE WILL KICK OFF ABOUT 12 O'CLOCK ESTHER CROSSED THE ROAD FROM HERE ` CLIFFORD SQUARE WE WILL HAVE A PEN TEST IT PARADE HEADING ACROSS THE STREETS OF FEATHERSTONE. AFTERWARDS WE WILL STOP AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF SPACES FOR KIDS, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HANG OUT FOR A WHILE, FOOD TRUCKS, AND THEN ABOUT 3 O'CLOCK WE WILL HEAD OVER TO DORSET SQUARE. AGAIN, A FAMILY EVENT, HAVING A PICNIC, BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC, IT WILL BE REALLY COOL ` MUSIC AGAIN. CHILL OUT. AFTERWARDS AND 18+ PARTY FOR THE ADULTS AFTER ALL THAT FAMILY TIME. AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE WILL HAVE TO RECOVER ON SUNDAY. THAT SOUNDS GREAT. SO THERE IS REALLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE WHICH IS FANTASTIC. AMY, WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL MURAL BEHIND US WHICH WE ARE ACTUALLY UNVEILING ON THE SHOW TODAY. AND IT IS ABOUT A LOCAL LEGEND. TELL US A BIT ABOUT GEORGINA'S HISTORY IN THE REGION. IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT GEORGINA BAYER, SHE WAS THE FIRST TRANSGENDER MP. WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER AND HE HAD TO HONOUR HER LEGACY. WE NEED TO STAND UP AND COME TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY AT THE MOMENT AND CELEBRATE AND BE TOGETHER AND ON OUR DIVERSITY AND STAND UP FOR OUR TRANS WHANAU WHO ARE REALLY FINDING IT HARD AT THE MOMENT. THEY ARE OURS, AND SO WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE HER AND BRING HER SPIRIT WITH A SUBSET OF THE. ON SATURDAY. SHE IS NOT HERE, BUT HOW DO YOU THINK SHE WOULD BE LOOKING DOWN AT THIS FANTASTIC EVENT YOU HAVE ORGANISED? SHE WOULD BE SAYING, QUEEN, WAIRARAPA RULES. I KNEW COULD DO IT. SHE WILL BE PART OF IT IN A WAY, BECAUSE WE WILL BE TAKING HER WITH US. AND WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED. COME AND JOIN US. FANTASTIC. TEAM, MAKE SURE TO HEAD UP TO FEATHERSTONE ON SATURDAY. THEY ARE EXPECTING HUNDREDS. MORE INFORMATION IS ON THE FEATHERSTONE PRIDE FACEBOOK PAGE. FANTASTIC. IT HAS BEEN A CHUKKA BLOCK SHOW. WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW. CAPTIONS BY FRANK GORE, KITTY WASASALA, ALEX WALKER AND COURTNEY SOLE.