(SPEAKS TE REO MAORI) WELCOME IN TO BREAKFAST THIS MORNING ON THE 17th OF APRIL. I HOPE YOU MANAGED TO GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP IF THE WIND DIDN'T WAKE YOU. SOME PEOPLE STILL HAD THEIR RUBBISH BINS OUT. I STARTED PUTTING SOMETHINGS AWAY OUTSIDE, BUT I THINK THE BAD STUFF IS STARTING TONIGHT, SO I WILL NEED TO GO NEXT LEVEL AND START PUTTING THINGS AWAY, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL FURNITURE ON THE DECK, AND I DON'T WANT IT TO FLY OFF. IT HAS BEEN A BIT OF A ROUGH NIGHT AT NORTH, A BIT OF ELECTRICITY THAT HAS BEEN OUT. HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY IS SAFE. THERE IS WEATHER GOING ON OUT THERE. COMING ON THE SHOW THIS HOUR ` SEVERE GUSTS AND HEAVY RAIN CONTINUE TO LASH THE TOP OF THE NORTH ISLAND AS EX TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH. THE STRONGEST WINDS IN NEARLY A DECADE ARE EXPECTED TO HIT AUCKLAND, WITH THOUSANDS ACROSS THE REGION WITHOUT POWER. WE'LL HAVE ALL THE UPDATES FOR YOU THROUGHOUT THE MORNING AND THE LATEST FORECAST FROM MET SERVICE. AND EVER BEEN TOLD TO GHOST SOMEONE? WELL THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT ACC IS ENCOURAGING YOUNG DRIVERS TO DO WHEN BEHIND THE WHEEL IN THEIR BRAND NEW CAMPAIGN HOW THEY'RE GETTING KEEPING OUR TEENS' EYES ON THE ROAD AND OF THEIR PHONES JUST AFTER NEWS, SPORTS AND WEATHER I GET IT. PLUS, YOU'VE HEARD OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY, BUT WHAT ABOUT POWER CREATED FROM WASTE WATER? ONE CANADIAN SUBURB IS POWERING THEIR HOMES WITH THE HEAT FROM THEIR VERY OWN SEWAGE SYSTEMS. COULD THIS BE THE ANSWER FOR A CLEANER AND GREENER FUTURE? THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING, BECAUSE IT IS NOT ACTUALLY CREATING HEAT; IT IS MOVING HEAT THAT IS ALL READY WITHIN WASTEWATER. IT IS AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY OUT OF. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW PLACES IN AOTEAROA THAT ARE DOING THIS, BUT THIS IS ON A BIGGER SCALE. IT IS AN ENTIRE SUBURB. BUT IT MAKES SENSE. RIGHT NOW IT'S 6 O'CLOCK. HERE'S YOUR NEWS. STRONG WINDS HAVE LASHED THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND OVERNIGHT AS EX TROPICAL CYLONE TAM MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND AS MORE REPORTS COME THROUGH OF TREES DOWN ON ROADS AND POWER LINES. LUCY BENDELL IS OUT IN AUCKLAND. WHAT'S THE SITUATION, LUCY? GOOD MORNING, JENNY MAY. THAT WILD WIND AND WEATHER HAS DEFINITELY HIT AUCKLAND AND NORTHLAND OVERNIGHT. THE RAIN, WE SAW A FEW SHOWERS OVERNIGHT, BUT RIGHT NOW IT IS HOLDING UP, AND WE CAN STILL FEEL THAT WHEN COMING THROUGH. WINDS WERE FORECAST TO REACH 120 KM/H, AND TREES AND POWER LINES HAVE COME DOWN. FIRE AND EMERGENCY HAVE RESPONDED. 42 CALLOUTS IN NORTHLAND AND 24 IN NORTHLAND. 13,000 HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER RIGHT NOW. AND VICTOR, AUCKLAND'S MAIN POWER COMPANY, WAS WORKING OVERNIGHT. FOR THE RAIN, IT IS SET TO COME IN LATER THIS MORNING FOR AUCKLAND. THE HARBOUR BRIDGE IS GOING TO REDUCE SPEED TO 50 KM/H, SO DRIVE SAFE, AND PEOPLE PLANNING TO HEAD OUT THIS WEEK AND ARE BEING TOLD TO JUST CANCEL THOSE PLANS FROM AS FAR DOWN TO BAY OF PLENTY AS WELL. SO BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR EASTER WEEKEND PLANS. THANK YOU, LUCY. THE UK SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A WOMAN IS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AND EXCLUDES TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. IT FOLLOWS A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INCLUDING TRANS WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR GENDER QUOTAS. JUDGES HAVE NOW RULED LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN UNDER THE UK'S EQUALITY ACT ONLY APPLY TO THOSE BORN FEMALE. IT MEANS TRANS WOMEN CAN BE EXCLUDED FROM SINGLE-SEX SPACES LIKE CHANGING ROOMS. THE COURT ADDED THE ACT STILL PROVIDES LEGAL PROTECTION FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. OBVIOUSLY I AM DISAPPOINTED. NO JUDGE CAN TELL ME WHO I AM. IF THE JUDGE WAS TO TELL ME YOU ARE NOT A WOMAN, YOU ARE A MAN, IT WOULDN'T CHANGE WHO YOU ARE. IT WOULD NOT CHANGE HOW YOU FEEL. THE RULING COMES AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN THE U.S. SUES THE STATE OF MAINE FOR REFUSING TO BAN TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM WOMEN'S SPORT. ALSO IN THE U.S. COURTS, A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS FOUND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD BE HELD IN CONTEMPT FOR WILFULLY DISREGARDING AN ORDER TO HALT DEPORTATION FLIGHTS. LAST MONTH, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEPORTED HUNDREDS OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS UNDER AN 18TH CENTURY LAW DESPITE A COURT ORDER TO STOP THE FLIGHTS. THE JUDGE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING THAT THE LAW COULD BE USED FOR THE DEPORTATIONS DOESN'T EXCUSE THE VIOLATION OF THE COURT ORDER. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS COULD BE AVOIDED IF AN EXPLANATION IS PROVIDED. ALL BLACKS CENTRE RIEKO IOANE HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S JOINING IRISH CLUB LEINSTER ON A SABBATICAL BREAK. THE 28-YEAR-OLD WILL MISS THE NEXT SUPER RUGBY SEASON WITH THE BLUES TO PLAY IN THE UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP. HE REMAINS CONTRACTED TO NEW ZEALAND RUGBY THROUGH TO THE 2027 WORLD CUP. IOANE IS THE LATEST ALL BLACK TO SIGN WITH LEINSTER FOLLOWING TEAMMATE JORDIE BARRETT MAKING THE MOVE LAST YEAR. WOW. JOHNNY SEXTON'S OLDER CLUB. I WONDER HOW HE IS GOING TO BE RECEIVED BY THE IRISH. THEY HAVE A BIT OF BEEF. INTERESTING HISTORY. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (UPBEAT MUSIC) FEELS A LITTLE BIT 70S, 80S, DOESN'T IT? AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS, THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm THIS EVENING AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IS IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL, PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN DISTRICT. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT 20 THE HIGH IN WHANGAREI. GISBORNE, YOU ARE HEADING FOR A HIGH OF 19. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH ` PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST ALONG THE EAST COAST, WITH LIGHT ISOLATED SHOWERS AND DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. GREYMOUTH, YOU ARE HEADING FOR A HIGH OF 21 DEGREES. WITH TWO LONG WEEKENDS COMING UP, IT'S MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER FOR US TO TAKE CARE ON THE ROADS. THIS YEAR, ACC, POLICE AND NZTA HAVE TEAMED UP TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG DRIVERS TO AVOID BEING DISTRACTED BY THEIR PHONES. HAVE A LOOK AT THE NEW AD CAMPAIGN. YEAH, I LOVE GHOSTING PEOPLE. GHOSTING SOMEONE YOU'VE BEEN DATING FOR A WHILE IS JUST... (SMOOCHES) SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S RUDE... WHATEVER. I'LL GHOST ANYONE. MY MUM, MY WORK, MY BESTIES, ANYONE AND EVERYONE. HAVE I EVER GHOSTED SOMEONE? YEAH, I HAVE GHOSTED SOMEONE. USUALLY MY BOSS. NO COMMENT. DO I NEED TO ANSWER THIS ONE? I DEFINITELY WOULD RATHER GHOST SOMEONE THAN CRASH MY CAR. MY BOYFRIEND WOULD RATHER I GHOSTED HIM FOR A BIT. I'M SURE HE WOULD RATHER ME GET HOME IN ONE PIECE. YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO MESSAGE ANYONE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. DRIVING SAFELY IS A GOOD EXCUSE TO GO SOMEONE. FOR MORE WE'RE JOINED BY INSPECTOR PETE MCKENNIE FROM THE NATIONAL ROAD POLICING CENTRE AND JAMES WHITAKER FROM ACC'S INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMME. FIRST OFF, JAMES, A BETTER TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR ICE ` CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR AUDIENCE WHAT EXACTLY GHOSTING IS? A LOT OF YOUR AUDIENCE MAY HAVE JUST LEARNED WHAT IT IS, NOW THEY HAVE TO RELEARN IT. USUALLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN GHOSTED, YOU MIGHT FEEL IGNORED BY THE OTHER PERSON OR THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU, BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO TURN THEIR PHONES ON TO DO NOT DISTURB SO THAT THEY ARE GHOSTING THE PEOPLE THEY CARE ABOUT SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY SHOW UP FOR THEM SO THEY CAN BE THERE INSTEAD OF COMING TO HARM ON THE ROAD. WHY IS THIS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE YOUNG DRIVERS ON THIS LONG WEEKEND? AS THE YOUNG TRIBES AND EVERYONE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THROUGH SAFETY SAFELY AS THE CAMPAIGN SAYS. THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM DRIVING WHILE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. A MOMENT OF INATTENTION CAN LEAD TO TRAGEDY. WHY HAVE YOU EXTENDED THIS CAMPAIGN TO DISTRACTIONS ON THE ROAD? YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ALREADY THE MOST HONOURABLE DRIVERS IN THE COUNTRY, AND IF THEY ARE USING THEIR PHONE WHILE DRIVING IT INCREASES THEIR CRASH LIKELIHOOD BY FOUR TIMES. WE KNOW YOUNG PEOPLE APPLY HUMOUR TO THINK THEY WANT TO DO, SO WE WANT THEM TO APPLY IT TO THEIR DRIVING. WIRES ARE HARD TO GET THIS MESSAGE THROUGH? IT IS HARD BECAUSE PHONES AND ACTUAL APPS THAT PEOPLE USE ARE DESIGNED TO BE ADDICTIVE. SO IT IS THE USER'S FAULT A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT IS ALSO VERY INTENTIONAL. THOSE PEOPLE WANT PEOPLE TO STAY ON THE APPS AND JUST BE THERE THE WHOLE TIME. AND PEOPLE REALLY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE MISSING OUT IF THEY ARE NOT SEEING THE LATEST MESSAGE THAT COMES THROUGH. THAT IS WHY IT IS DIFFICULT. BUT WE DID A LOT OF RESEARCH WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, INCLUDING STUDENTS AGAINST DANGEROUS DRIVING, AND IT REALLY SHOWED US THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO GET IN THERE. WE NEED TO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE AND BEWARE THEY ALREADY ARE AS WELL. SO THAT A SOCIAL MEDIA. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR TEAMS TO HAVE TO PATROL ON LONG WEEKEND THAT YOU HAVE THIS EXTRA BARRIER WITH PHONE DISTRACTION POTENTIALLY THAT IS MAKING A LIFE A LOT HARDER? YEAH, SURE, POLICE IS OUT THERE AND WILL BE OVER THE LONG WEEKEND. WE TRY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY SAFELY. WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON SPEED, DRINKING AND DRUG DRIVING, FATIGUE, MAKING SURE EVERYONE KEEPS THEIR SEATBELT ON AND DISTRACTION. POLICE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE, THAT IS WHY WE REALLY WELCOME CAMPAIGNS LIKE THIS. WE GET TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GETS THROUGH THE JOURNEY SAFELY TO STOP POLICE JUST CAN'T DO IT BY THEMSELVES. WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY AD CAMPAIGNS OVER THE YEARS ` THE FASTER YOU GO, THE BIGGER THE MESS. DO THESE ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? THEY DO, BUT I THINK THE KEY IS TO ENSURE THAT CAMPAIGNS TARGET THE AUDIENCE YOU WANT TO BE. IN THIS CASE, AS JAMES SAID, A LOT OF RESEARCH HAS GONE INTO THE TARGET AUDIENCE AND WHAT FORUMS THEY LISTEN TO. A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT USE MAINSTREAM MEDIA NOW. SO HOW WE CAN CONNECT WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND GET THE MESSAGE TO RESONATE WITH THEM. THE YOUNG DRIVERS ARE NOT UP AT 6.09 IN THE MORNING WATCHING THIS. WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO FOR OLDER PEOPLE? LEAD BY EXAMPLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BOSSING THEM AROUND. AS THEY SEE YOU PUTTING YOUR PHONE AND DO NOT DISTURB BEFORE YOU DRIVE THE CAR ` AND MAYBE YOU LET THEM KNOW WHY ` THAT IS A GOOD THING TO DO. YOUNG PEOPLE WILL SEE THIS CONTENT ANYWAY, SO YOU DON'T NEED TO POINT IN THEIR DIRECTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THEY WILL DISCOVER IT. SO JUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE PLUGGING INTO THINGS LIKE APPLE CAR PLAY AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND USING THE SCREENS ON THEIR CAR ` IS THAT AN ISSUE AS WELL? THERE IS A LOT OF RESEARCH INTO THIS AND IT SHOWS THAT EVEN SO-CALLED HANDS-FREE DEVICES ARE STILL DISTRACTING. JUST ONE MOMENT INATTENTION, AS I SAID EARLIER, CAN LEAD TO TRAGEDY. SOMEONE RUNS IN FRONT OF YOUR CROSSES THE CENTRE LINE, IT GIVES YOU A LOT LESS TIME TO REACT. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE DRIVING IN A MANNER AND AT A SPEED THAT ALLOWS YOU TO RESPOND SAFELY TO THE UNEXPECTED, AND IF YOU ARE DISTRACTED BY ANYTHING, REDUCES YOUR CHANCE TO DO SO. THIS LONG WEEKEND, WOULD YOU PREFER DRIVERS TO BE LOOKING AT THE ROAD AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR SHUFFLING THROUGH SONGS ON SOME SCREEN OR SOMETHING? IT IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. GET YOURSELF A DESIGNATED DJ IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. LOVELY TO SEE YOU. STAY SAFE THIS LONG WEEKEND. I WAS JUST LOOKING ` NZTA SAYS 70% OF NEW ZEALANDERS ADMIT TO CHECKING TEXT MESSAGES AND A VEHICLE WHILE 20% REPLY TO SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES. THIS WAS FROM A CAMPAIGN BACK IN MAY 2024. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. JUST BEFORE I GOT ONTO THE MOTORWAY BEHIND A TRUCK AND A CAR, THE TRUCK WENT ON TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN SWERVED BACK. THE ONLY CONCLUSION I CAN COME TO IS... ON THE PHONE. THEY WERE DISTRACTED BY SOMETHING. THERE IS A DO NOT DISTURB ON THE PHONE. ON YOUR PHONE? I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THERE. MY PHONE IS OR IS ON SILENT. IT IS A LITTLE THING. IT'S THAT SORT OF MOON CRESCENT. IS IT? I HAD TO GO INTO THE SETTINGS AND KIND OF FIND IT. YOU ARE GOING TO BE GHOSTING EVERYONE. MORE SHUTDOWN THAN EVER, BLOCKING EVERYONE. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT. THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME ABOUT THAT. THAT IS LOVELY. I DO LIKE THE IDEA THAT ACTUALLY... OUR KIDS WILL TELL YOU, I HAVE SEEN YOU, YOU SAY THIS, YOU DO THIS. THEY ARE WATCHING YOU. YOU DON'T GET THE NOTIFICATION, AND OFTEN IT WILL TELL THE PERSON WHOSE MESSAGING YOU YOU ARE ON DO NOT DISTURB. IT AS SOMETHING TO NOT GET THE NOTIFICATION, AND IT IS ANOTHER THING TO PICK YOUR PHONE UP AFTER 10 MINUTES AND GO, WHY HAVE I NOT GOT A MESSAGE? I HAVE APPLE CAR PLAY JUST TO HAVE PEOPLE READ OUT MY TEXT IN DIFFERENT ACCENTS. E WHAI AKE NEI ` WE'VE GOT THE LATEST CYCLONE TAM WEATHER UPDATE WITH MET SERVICE NEXT. # LET'S GO LET'S GO DOWN TO MALIBU. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. A U.S. JUDGE SAYS HE COULD HOLD THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN CONTEMPT OF COURT FOR FAILING TO FOLLOW AN ORDER TO HALT THE DEPORTATION OF AROUND 200 PEOPLE TO EL SALVADOR LAST MONTH. THE UK SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A WOMAN IS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AND EXCLUDES TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. IT FOLLOWS A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INCLUDING TRANS WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR GENDER QUOTAS. AND ALL BLACKS CENTRE RIEKO IOANE HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S JOINING IRISH CLUB LEINSTER ON A SABBATICAL BREAK. THOUSANDS ARE ALREADY WITHOUT POWER AS EX TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM CONTINUES TO MAKE ITS WAY ACROSS THE TOP OF THE NORTH ISLAND, WITH MORE SEVERE GUSTS AND HEAVY RAIN ON ITS WAY. WE'RE JOINED BY METSERVICE'S HEATHER KEATES TO EXPLAIN WHATS TO COME OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. MORENA. MORENA. WHAT IS THE LATEST? CYCLONE TAM HAS ARRIVED. AND IT HAS BEEN A BIT OF A WILD RIDE FOR SOME OVERNIGHT. WAKING UP THIS MORNING, THE WORST IS PROBABLY STILL TO COME. IT HAS BEEN A WINDY NIGHT. FORTUNATELY THE RAIN HAS NOT BEEN AS BAD AS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT 90 MM OF RAIN IN THE RANGERS OVERNIGHT. BUT YOU EXPECT THEM TO GET HIGHER RAINFALL. PARTS OF AUCKLAND ABOUT 60 MM IN THE LAST 12 HOURS BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD HEAVY DOWNPOURS THAT WE ARE SEEING THOSE BANDS OF RAIN COMING THROUGH. BUT IT IS THE WIND, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE WIND THAT IS OF BIGGEST CONCERN. CAPE REINGA HAS HAD GUSTS OF UP TO 30 KM/H. AUCKLAND HAS HAD GUSTS OF UP TO 100 KM/H WHICH IS IMPACTING THE HARBOUR BRIDGE. WE HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF LARGE WAVES AS WELL, SO THE SWELL HEIGHT, THE BAY OF ISLANDS UP TO 6 M HAVE BEEN REPORTED. TAM IT IS HERE, IT AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE VERY FAST. WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS IN FACT PICK UP AS WELL WITH THUNDERSTORMS LATER. IF YOU WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND THOUGHT, OK, MAYBE WE HAVE HAD THE WORST OF IT, YOU ARE SAYING NO, ACTUALLY, BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. ABSOLUTELY. ESPECIALLY IN UPPER NORTH. WE HAVE THE ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS AND STRONG WIND WARNINGS STILL IN PLACE. THE ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 9 PM. PARTS OF GISBORNE TILL MIDNIGHT FRIDAY PARTS OF TASMAN TILL MIDNIGHT SATURDAY. THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW LONG THIS STORM WILL BE. THE STRONG WIND WARNINGS THAT WE ARE EXPECTING THE REALLY INTENSE GUSTS TO DATE AND QUICKER. NORTHLAND ORANGE STRONG WIND WARNING UNTIL 8 PM, OR CLINIC GREAT BARRIER UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. WE HAVE THOSE YELLOW WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN PLACE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY UNTIL BULLER. SO IT IS QUITE AN INTENSE SYSTEM THAT IS HERE FOR A FEW DAYS, AND AS THE CENTRE, BECAUSE IT IS HANGING OUT OVER THE TASMAN SEA, TRACKS DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND EDGES TOWARDS OUR COASTLINE, THAT IS WHERE TASMAN AND BULLER ARE GOING TO SEE THE BIG IMPACTS AND THE RAIN FALL. BUT TODAY IT IS THUNDERSTORMS. THUNDERSTORMS WILL START TO SPIKE UP AFTER SUNRISE PRETTY MUCH FROM PRETTY MUCH WAIKATO AND BAY OF PLENTY AND ALL THE WAY UP TO NORTHLAND. AND FOR NORTHLAND AND AUCKLAND, THAT IS GOING TO BE THE BIG HEAVY RAIN DRIVER TODAY. WE HAD THAT RAIN. EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THOSE WINS. WE HAVE THOSE THUNDERSTORMS COMING THROUGH THIS MORNING. ARE THOSE WINS STILL COMING THROUGH? BECAUSE IT IS A NOR-EASTERLY, IT IS A DIRECTION THAT NORTHLAND AND AUCKLAND HAVE NOT SEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME. LAST TIME THERE WERE THOSE GUSTS WAS 2017. A DESCRIBING FROM THE NORTH-EAST, VERY STRONG WENT, SOME SPOTS ESPECIALLY COASTLINES AND BEACHES WHETHER SWELLS COME UP, AND YOU GET THE THUNDERSTORMS DRIVING IN WITH AND THE HEAVY RAIN, THAT SEEMS TO EXACERBATE THE WIND. SO YOU HAVE TO BE VIGILANT. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, IT IS A LONG WEEKEND, SO EVERYBODY TRAVELLING, PLEASE TAKE CARE ON THE ROAD. SO THAT IS THURSDAY, FRIDAY, RIGHT, SO WHAT DOES THE WEEKEND LOOK LIKE, THE REST OF EASTER? BECAUSE TAM SORT OF HANGS OUT IN THE TASMAN, WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME REPEAT RAIN BANDS SPREADING OVER THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. IS THE BEST SPOT TO BE IS PROBABLY DOWN THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. BUT IT DOES START TO BE IN UPPER NORTH AND THE LATER STAGES OF THE WEEKEND. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE WIND STARTS TO DIE DOWN AS WELL WHICH WILL BE NICE. LOOK, AT LEAST IT IS NOT COLD. (CHUCKLES) IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SILVER LINING. LAST NIGHT, AUCKLAND GOT DOWN TO 18 DEGREES. IT IS BALMY. LOTS OF RAIN, LOTS OF WIND COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. AND NOT DISAPPEARING ANYTIME SOON. NO. WE WILL UPDATE THE WATCHES AND WARNINGS THIS MORNING, SO THE UPDATE WILL GO ON OUR APP AND OUR WEBSITE. AND OF COURSE WHEN YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LIKE THIS, YOU CAN EXPECT MESSAGING FROM LOCAL COUNSEL, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. AND OBVIOUSLY IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON TRAVELLING, YOU WILL WANT UPDATES FROM IN NZTA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, HEATHER. AND YOU ARE GOING AWAY THIS WEEKEND. YES, TRIP TO COROMANDEL. MIGHT HAVE NOTICED IT'S A LITTLE WINDY. REST ASSURED, THAT'S NOT THE WORST OF IT. THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE FROM THE EVENING, STRONG EASTERLIES. GUSTING 120 KM AN HOUR. IF YOU THINK THE WORST HAS COME AND GONE, NO. IT IS STILL ON ITS WAY. THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED. HAMILTON, 19 IS A HIGH. HEAVY FALLS THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG AND GUSTY EASTERLIES. EASING A LITTLE BIT LATER ON TONIGHT. WELLINGTON, CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN FROM THE EVENING. YOU HAVE SOUTH-EASTERLY WINDS, AND A HIGH OF 18. DUNEDIN, 16. KLAU DEVELOPING THIS MORNING AND YOU HAVE GOT SOME NORTH-EASTERLY IS AS WELL. CLOUD* BIT OF FEEDBACK COMING IN ALREADY ABOUT THE NEW AD CAMPAIGN FROM ACC ABOUT GHOSTING YOUR MATES WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AHEAD OF THESE LONG WEEKENDS. MAKE SURE YOU ARE WILFULLY IGNORING ANY TEXTS THAT COME YOUR WAY. KEVIN SAID WHAT ABOUT DOGS ON DRIVERS LAPS, GOOD POINT ABOUT THE DOGS. I AGREE. GINA SAYS DO NOT DISTURB. PUTTING YOUR PHONE ON DO NOT DISTURB, WHICH HAVE JUST DISCOVERED AS AN ACTUAL THING, DO NOT DISTURB HAS AN OVERRIDE FUNCTION ON MY PHONE, SAYS GINA, SO THAT MY PARTNER AND KIDS CAN TEXT ME IN AN EMERGENCY. HOW DO YOU DO THAT, GINA? THE PROBLEM IS ONCE YOU GET THAT TEXTING THROUGH, IT TAKES EVERY OUNCE OF YOU NOT TO WANT TO REACH OVER FOR IT. KEEP YOUR FEEDBACK COMING IN. STRONG WINDS HAVE LASHED THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND OVERNIGHT AS EX-TROPICAL CYLONE TAM MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND AS MORE REPORTS COME THROUGH OF TREES DOWN ON ROADS AND POWER LINES. LUCY BENDELL IS OUT IN AUCKLAND. WHAT'S THE SITUATION LUCY? THAT'S RIGHT. THOSE STRONG GUSTS ARE WREAKING HAVOC ON OUR POWER NETWORK. THERE ARE PROXIMATELY 24,000 HOMES WITHOUT POWER AND THAT IS JUSTIN NORTHLAND AND THE FAR NORTH AS BOAST AS BOTH OF THEIR POWER COMPANIES... WE DO KNOW THERE ARE A FEW HOTSPOTS SHOWN ON THE MAP. ALL OF THE SUPPLIER SAID THAT THEY WILL BE RESPONDING AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN AS THE FIRST LIGHT BREAKS THIS MORNING. I ALSO SPOKE TO THE AUCKLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING REPORTS OF TREES DOWN AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES AS THEY WAKE UP TO GO TO WORK. FIRE AND EMERGENCY ARE RECEIVING MORE FROM ABOUT 55 FROM AUCKLAND TO NORTHLAND. PEOPLE SAY THAT THESE ARE THE STRONGEST WINDS THEY'VE SEEN SINCE 2017. THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE WAS HIT WITH 100 KM WINDS YESTERDAY, AND THE BRIDGE IS STILL OPEN BUT THERE IS STILL A 50 KM SPEED LIMIT. INTERISLANDER FERRY PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS ARE IN LINE FOR COMPENSATION. KIWIRAIL HAS MADE LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMERCE COMMISSION TO TREAT DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAULTS AS WITHIN ITS CONTROL FOLLOWING A SERIES OF BREAKDOWNS IN 2023. AT THE TIME THE BUSINESS DENIED REFUND REQUESTS FROM AFFECTED CUSTOMERS, SAYING IT WASN'T LIABLE, AND IN DOING SO WAS LIKELY TO HAVE MISLED CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS. KIWIRAIL HAS NOW CHANGED ITS PROCESS AND WILL RE-EVALUATE PREVIOUS CLAIMS. YOUNG DRIVERS ARE BEING URGED TO 'GHOST THEIR MATES' IN A BID TO AVOID PHONE DISTRACTIONS ON OUR ROADS AHEAD OF A DOUBLE LONG WEEKEND. NEARLY 40% OF NEW ZEALANDERS ADMITTED TO SENDING OR READING TEXTS WHILE IN THE CAR, WHILE A FIFTH REPORTED CHECKING OR REPLYING TO SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES. POLICE SAY EVEN HANDS FREE DEVICES CAN BE A DISTRACTION. TENSION CAN LEAD TO TRAGEDY. SOMEONE RUNS OUT IN FRONT OF YOU AND IT GIVES YOU LESS TIME AND DISTANCE TO REACT SAFELY. PEOPLE NEED TO BE DRIVING AT A SPEED THAT ENABLES YOU TO RESPOND SAFELY TO THE UNEXPECTED. LAST YEAR'S EASTER ROAD TOLL WAS SEVEN. TO SPORT, AND BLACK FERN PATRICIA MALIEPO SAYS THE TIMING WAS RIGHT FOR HER SWITCH TO LEAGUE AFTER SIGNING WITH THE WARRIORS FOR THE UPCOMING NRLW SEASON. THE BLUES FIRST FIVE JOINS SEVERAL OTHER UNION PLAYERS ON THE SQUAD INCLUDING BLACK FERNS SPEEDSTER MICHAELA BRAKE. MALIEPO SAYS SHE DIDN'T EXPECT TO MAKE THE SWITCH SO EARLY IN HER CAREER, BUT IS EXCITED FOR THE NEW CHALLENGES. THE WARRIORS HAVE JUST ONE MORE SPOT TO FILL IN THEIR SQUAD FOR THEIR RETURN TO THE NRLW. UP THE WAHS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS, THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm THURSDAY EVENING AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IS IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL, PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN REGION. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT 20 THE HIGH IN WHANGAREI. 17 IN TAUPO. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH ` PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST ALONG THE EAST COAST, WITH LIGHT ISOLATED SHOWERS AND DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HOWEVER, A MAINLY FINE DAY FOR THOSE ALONG THE WEST COAST. 17 THE HIGH IN NELSON, 16 IN INVERCARGILL. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (CHILL MUSIC) WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, BUT WE FEEL WE NEED TO DO IT YET AGAIN, BECAUSE IT MATTERS. MARKET REACTION TO EVER-CHANGING U.S. TARIFFS HAS SEEN MANY KIWISAVER BALANCES PLUMMET. THIS MORNING WE HAVE DAVID BOYLE, GENERAL MANAGER OF KIWISAVER AT FISHER FUNDS WHO'RE BRINGING THIS SEGEMENT TO YOU. WELCOME, DAVID. WE'RE KEEN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM CLIENTS. THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON. IT'S BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE FOR KIWISAVER MEMBERS. THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THEIR BALANCE IS GOING UP AND DOWN. WITH KIWISAVER, IT'S BEEN GOING FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS. THE GOOD PART OF THAT IS THAT A LOT OF NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE BEEN IN KIWISAVER FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFERENT MARKET CHANGES. JUST RECENTLY, COVID-19, COST OF LIVING CRISIS, IT CERTAINLY FELL ACTUATED A LOT OF BALANCES. FLUCTUATED* WE'VE HAD CLIENTS RINGING UP CONCERNED, BUT GOOD ON THEM FOR RINGING UP. THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOUR VIEWERS TODAY IS DON'T DO A KNEE-JERK REACTION AND SAY OH GOSH I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY MONEY I NEED TO TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO A MORE CONSERVATIVE OPTION. THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO GET BACK THAT CAPITAL IN THE MARKET THAT WE ARE IN. SLOW AND STEADY. HANG IN THERE, AND KEEP CONTRIBUTING AS WELL. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED TO USE THEIR FUNDS FOR RETIREMENT. I'VE JUST TURNED 65 BUT WITH THE RETIREMENT AGE AT 65, PEOPLE THINK THAT IS THE FINISH LINE, I CALL IT THE FINE LINE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T JUST STOP WORK AT 65. PLANNING A LITTLE BIT AHEAD AND NOT BEING TOO CONCERNED, BUT IF YOU ARE, TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER AGAIN. YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT FUND, GET SOME PERSONALISED FINANCIAL ADVICE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE WAY. AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE RETIRED, YOU REMEMBER YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE ALL YOUR MONEY OUT AT 65, YOU CAN DRAW AN INCOME FROM IT. YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A REMINDER ABOUT GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION. ABOUT $500 MILLION WAS LEFT NOT GOING INTO NEW ZEALANDERS KIWISAVER ACCOUNTS. THE EASIEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS BASICALLY FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU PUT IN, UP TO $1043, YOU WILL GET $0.50 FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS A 50% RETURN, UP TO $521. THE TIMELINE ARE SOMETHING WE FORGET ABOUT. BECAUSE THE KIWISAVER ANNIVERSARIES FROM 1 JULY TO THE 31ST OF JUNE. SO THERE IS STILL TIME TO PUT MONEY IN. BUT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TOGETHER THOUSAND DOLLARS BY THE END OF JUNE COULD BE A BIT CHALLENGING. TRY AND GET SOME OF THAT MONEY THAT SITTING THERE AND THAT WILL WORK A LOT HARDER FOR YOU. TOP IT UP A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN THIS MORNING. ME U TONU MAI ` IS THIS THE CITY OF THE FUTURE? WE CROSS LIVE TO THE CANADIAN SUBURB USING WASTE WATER TO POWER THEIR HOMES. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. 'GHOST YOUR MATES.' THAT'S THE NEW SAFETY MESSAGE FROM POLICE WHO ARE URGING PEOPLE TO STAY OFF THEIR PHONES WHILE DRIVING THIS EASTER WEEKEND. INTERISLANDER FERRY PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS IN 2023 ARE IN LINE FOR COMPENSATION. KIWIRAIL HAS MADE LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMERCE COMMISSION TO COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS. AND BLACK FERN PATRICIA MALIEPO SAYS THE TIMING WAS RIGHT FOR HER SWITCH TO LEAGUE AFTER SIGNING WITH THE WARRIORS FOR THE UPCOMING NRLW SEASON. ONE NEIGHBOURHOOD IN THE CANADIAN CITY OF VANCOUVER IS GIVING US A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE BY USING WASTEWATER TO POWER HOMES. THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH ISN'T BRAND NEW THOUGH. FALSE CREEK, A RECENTLY REDEVELOPED AREA IN THE CITY, HAS BEEN HARNESSING ENERGY FROM SEWAGE WATER FOR OVER A DECADE. DEREK POPE, MANAGER OF NEIGHBOURHOOD ENERGY SAYS THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH HEAT IN THE SEWER SYSTEM TO WARM ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. HE JOINS US NOW FROM VANCOUVER. MORENA, DEREK. SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM. HOW DOES THIS WORK? THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON THIS MORNING. VERY EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH YOUR VIEWERS IN NEW ZEALAND AND SHARE LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN VANCOUVER IN RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY. BASICALLY, SEWAGE IS WARM. IT IS WARM BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE TO TAKE HOT SHOWERS, RUN THE DISHWASHER, WE WASH OUR HANDS WITH WARM WATER, AND ALL OF THAT IS THERMAL ENERGY THAT IS LITERALLY GOING DOWN OUR DRAINS INTO THE SEWER SYSTEM AND THEN IS WASTED. AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE DEVELOPED A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS US TO HARVEST THAT WASTE HEAT FROM THE SEWER SYSTEM AND USE IT TO HEAT UP NEIGHBOURHOODS. SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS AND POST IT SEE POPULATED NEIGHBOURHOODS. SO YOU ARE NOT CREATING EXTRA HEAT, YOU ARE MOVING IT. EXACTLY. WE USE HEAT PUMPS TO EXTRACT THE HEAT FROM THE SEWAGE AND TRANSFERS IT TO A HOT WATER NETWORK AND THERMAL GRID THAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM. BUT WHAT'S SO EXCITING ABOUT THIS TECHNOLOGY IS JUST THE HIGH EFFICIENCY. HEAT PUMPS OPERATING AT EFFICIENCIES OVER 300%. SO FOR EVERYONE UNIT OF ELECTRICITY THAT WE PUT IN TO RUN THE SYSTEM, WE GET THREE UNITS OF THERMAL ENERGY OUT OF IT. YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING THE SYSTEM SINCE 2010. TELL US ABOUT THE RESULTS. IT WAS FIRST ORIGINATED IN 2010 AS PART OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER'S 2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES THAT WE HOSTED. SO THE FIRST NINE BUILDINGS CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM WAS THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE AND WE HAVE GROWN THE SYSTEM A LOT SINCE THEN. AND TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THIS GROWTH, WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED A MAJOR EXPANSION OF OUR SEWAGE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM. WE TURNED ON TO NEW HEAT PUMPS AT THE END OF 2024, TRIPLING THE AMOUNT OF HEAT THAT WE CAN RECOVER FROM THE SEWER AND TO DELIVER IT TO BUILDINGS IN VANCOUVER. HOW EXPENSIVE IS THIS TO BUILD? AND IS IT COST-EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM? YES. IT DOES REQUIRE AN UPFRONT CAPITAL INVESTMENT, OUR MOST RECENT EXPANSION WAS A $20 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE SEWAGE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM, AND THEN THOSE COSTS ARE RECOVERED GRADUALLY OVER TIME THROUGH THE SALE OF ENERGY TO THE BUILDINGS CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM, AND UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, LIKE OUR SYSTEM IS, IT CAN BE REALLY COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF COMPANIES DOING THIS ON A SMALL SCALE, AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN VANCOUVER IS ACTUALLY, THIS IS WHAT IS BEING USED TO HEAT SUBURBS. SO IN TERMS OF SUPPORT, THERE WERE PLACES HERE MAY BE IN NEW ZEALAND IS THAT WE CAME TO LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT DID YOU ACTUALLY REQUIRE? IT DOES REQUIRE A LOT OF FORWARDTHINKING, YOU WANT TO GET ON TOP OF THIS EARLY, AND SO I THINK THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS UNDERSTAND WHERE ARE THESE WASTE HEAT RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AND WE'VE USED TO SEWAGE. SEWAGE IS NOT THE ONLY SOURCE OF WASTE HEAT. YOU CAN TAP INTO MANY SOURCES ACROSS THE CITY. ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE THOSE ARE, IT'S ABOUT LINING UP WHERE THAT EXPECT OF ELEMENTS OF THE CITY WILL BE AND YOU NEED TO GET THE SUPPORT OF COUNSEL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE VERY FORWARDTHINKING COUNCILS WITH SUSTAINABILITY AT THE TOP OF MIND. IT'S ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING, AND WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM THIS MORNING. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANKS SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. E HAERE AKE NEI ` AUSTRALIAN SUPER NETBALL IS DITCHING THE TRADITIONAL POST GAME HUDDLE. WILL OUR TEAMS FOLLOW SUIT? WE'RE TALKING SPORTS WITH SUZANNE MCFADDEN NEXT. WITH THE SUPER RUGBY WOMEN'S FINAL KICKING OFF TONIGHT, ALL EYES ARE ON HOW WE CAN TURN THE MOMENTUM IN WOMEN'S SPORTS INTO PACKED STANDS. SUZANNE MCFADDEN FROM LOCKER ROOM JOINS US NOW FOR THAT STORY AND MORE. GOOD MORNING, SUZANNE. LOVELY TO HAVE YOU ON. FIRST EVER WOMEN'S SUPER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL TONIGHT. HOW BIG A DEAL IS THAT? THIS IS A HUGE DEAL FOR WOMEN'S RUGBY IN NEW ZEALAND. THE WINNERS OF THE SUPER RUGBY AUPIKI FINAL LAST WEEK THE BLUES WILL PLAY THE WARATAHS FROM AUSTRALIA WHO WON THE SUPER W AS WELL. IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THESE TWO COUNTRIES COMING TOGETHER AND PLAYING AT THAT KIND OF CLUB FRANCHISE LEVEL. AND LAST TIME THEY PLAYED WAS IN A PRESEASON GAME EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS 36-36. SO IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT GAME, I THINK. BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE TO WALK THROUGH THE TURNSTILES TO WATCH WOMEN'S RUGBY? IT WAS A REAL OPENER LAST WEEKEND ACTUALLY. I THINK THE BLUES DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE TO EDEN PARK TO WATCH THAT WOMEN'S FINAL WHICH WAS IN PRIME TIME ` 7 PM. THEY HAD THE PACIFIKA FESTIVAL ON THE NUMBER TWO GROUND. THEY HAD THE BLUES PLAYING IN THEIR CURTAIN RAISER. 15,000 PEOPLE CAME THROUGH TO WATCH THAT MEANS GAME. 2700 STAYED FOR THE WOMEN'S FINAL. MEN'S* I HAVE TO SAY, THOUGH, PEOPLE WATCHED IT ON TV. IT WAS TWICE AS MUCH AS THE FINAL LAST YEAR. BUT IT IS GETTING, SORRY, BUMS ON SEATS. TOMORROW IT IS GOING TO BE HARD. ESPECIALLY IF THIS WEATHER CONTINUES AND THEREAFTER UNDER STORM WARNING. THE GAME IS AT NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM WHICH IS SMALLER THAN EDEN PARK, BUT I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO GETTING PEOPLE TO COME AND WATCH ABSOLUTELY WORLD-CLASS WOMEN'S RUGBY. BEFORE PEOPLE START SAYING, LOOK, IT IS NOT AS POPULAR AS THE MEN'S GAME, IT IS CLEARLY NOT TRUE BECAUSE WE SAW THE NUMBERS FOR THE WORLD CUP, AND WHEN THEY HAD TAKEN IT TO THE REGIONS, WE HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS THERE. IS IT ABOUT TIMING, CHOOSING THE RIGHT STADIUMS? BECAUSE EDEN PARK IS A BIG STADIUM. EVEN AFTER THEY HAD THAT DOUBLE-HEADER COMING AFTER THE CURTAIN RAISER OF THE MEN'S GAME. DO YOU THINK A SMALLER STADIUM IS THE ANSWER? MAYBE IT IS. MAYBE IT IS AN AUCKLAND PROBLEM. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I THOUGHT LINDA'S ARE NOT GREAT AT ATTENDING LIVE SPORT UNLESS IT IS, AT THE MOMENT, AUCKLAND FC OR THE WARRIORS. BUT WHEN THEY TOOK THE AUPIKI GAMES TO THE REGIONS, THEY GOT MUCH BETTER CROWDS. SO SHOULD THEY HAVE PLAYED IN WHANGAREI? YOU WOULD HAVE HAD MORE LOCALS TURNING OUT, YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. I WAS TALKING TO JENNY MAY ABOUT THIS IDEA OF NETBALL IS AFTER A MATCH. THE POST GAME HUDDLED WHEN THEY ALL SORT OF AWKWARDLY JOINED SIDES, THE OPPOSITION COMES TOGETHER. AUSTRALIA HAS SAID, NO, NO, NO, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT. IN THE SUN CORPS SUPER NETBALL LEAGUE THIS YEAR, YOU WON'T SEE THE TWO PLAYERS COMING TOGETHER IN THAT CIRCLE AND GIVING THEIR INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES THAT WAS A GOOD GAME THEY PLAYED. (LAUGHTER) THE PLAYERS ASKED FOR THAT. THEY FELT AWKWARD AND LIKE IT WAS AT A CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. THEY WERE PARTLY INSPIRED NOT TO DO IT BECAUSE THE SILVER FERNS DIDN'T DO OUR LUSTIEST CONSTELLATION CUP. I CAN'T REMEMBER THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS STICKS IN MY MIND. SO I SPOKE TO STEPHANE FROM THE NETBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION ABOUT THIS, AND SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY PLAYERS COMING TO HER SAYING, WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYMORE. IT IS TOTALLY UP TO THE PLAYERS THAT THEY WANT TO DO IT OR NOT. THE GOOD OLD HANDSHAKE IS PERFECTLY FINE, BUT THE HUDDLES I KIND OF SOMETHING THAT SEVEN YEAR OLD AND EIGHT YEAR OLD GIRLS DO, AND THAT IS GREAT FOR THEM. BUT IT IS AN AGE AND STAGE THING. AS ONLY WE HAD AN INTERNATIONAL NETBALL WHO WE COULD ASK WHAT ACTUALLY GETS SET IN THOSE HUDDLES? IS THAT JUST CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU? LETTERS SAYING THANK YOU TO THE OPPOSITION. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR OWN TEAM IN THERE AS WELL, BUT IT IS MAINLY LIKE GOOD GAME. THREE CHEERS. HIP, HIP, HURRAY. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE TWO SHOT WINDOW? IT WAS THE OTAKI TOURNAMENT. IN THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE EARLY QUARTER, YOU CAN GET TWO POINTS IF YOU SHOOT FROM THE ZONE ON THE OUTER RIM OF THE CIRCLE. WELL, THE MYSTICS HAVE PULLED OFF A BIT OF A COUP HERE. THEY HAVE PETER TUIAVA MOVING TO GOAL ATTACK FOR THAT LAST FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE SHE HAS ONE OF THE BEST SHOTS IN THE MYSTICS TEAM. IF YOU HAVE EVER WITNESSED HER TRAINING, YOU WILL KNOW. SHE CAN SHOOT FROM ANYWHERE, IN OR OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE, AND SHE PROVED THAT SHE COULD DO THAT LAST WEEKEND. SO THIS COULD BE A REAL ` WELL IT IS NOT SO SECRET ANYMORE ` BUT A REAL BOOST FOR THE MYSTICS. WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD TIME TO TALK ABOUT AUCKLAND FC POTENTIALLY HAVING A SHOT AT THE PLATE. BUT THEY HAVE A FEW THINGS GOING THEIR WAY, SO WE'LL GET TO THEM WHEN THEY ACTUALLY WHEN IT. HAD A VERY SAFE EASTER, GUYS. YOU TOO. COMING UP ON THE SHOW THIS HOUR ` A PATIENT ADVOCATE HAS BEEN TOURING THE COUNTRY SPEAKING WITH MEMBERS OF OUR HEALTH SYSTEM. MALCOLM MULHOLLAND CLAIMS HOSPITALS IN SEVERAL REGIONS ARE ON THE BRINK. WE'LL BE HEARING THE STORIES OF PATIENTS DEALING WITH THIS FIRST HANDEDLY AFTER NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. AND IT'S BEEN A ROUGH FEW YEARS FOR THE COROMANDEL REGION. BUT HAVE THE TOURISTS RETURNED? WE'LL CHECK IN WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AHEAD OF THE LONG WEEKEND. PLUS, OUR POLITICAL PANEL IS ALSO TALKING HEALTH. HOW FAR WILL THE GOVERNMENT'S 20 BILLION-PLUS PLAN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES CURE THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTORS AILMENTS? WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AT AROUND ABOUT 7:45. IT'S 7 O'CLOCK. HERE'S THE NEWS. THANKS, JENNY MAY. EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM CONTINUES TO LASH THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND WITH STRONG WINDS. TREES ARE DOWN AND THOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER. WE'LL CROSS NOW TO REPORTER YVONNE TAHANA WHO'S BEEN IN PAIHIA OVERNIGHT. KIA ORA. HOW WAS IT? IT IS STARTING TO FEEL PERSONAL. EVERY TIME I STEP IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, IT IS WINDY. IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS, WE HAD GUSTS OF UP TO 100 KM/H. FURTHER NORTH, 130 KM/H IN CAPE REINGA. IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS THAT SET OFF THE SIRENS. FIRE AND EMERGENCY SAY THEY HAD 24 CALLOUTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, AND THAT WAS MAINLY TREES DOWN ON POWERLINE. TOP ENERGY WHICH SERVICES THE FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL SAYS THAT THEY HAD 38 HIGH VOLTAGE OUTAGES. 14,000 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER THIS MORNING. AND THEY HAD TO STAND DOWN CREWS. THEY WORKED TILL 10 O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT. PRETTY AMAZING EFFORT IN HORRIBLE CONDITIONS. THEY STOOD DOWN CRUISE LAST NIGHT FOR SAFETY REASONS. THEY WILL BE GATHERING THIS MORNING TO GET BACK TO WORK AS WELL. THEY HOPE I MARAE THAT THEY WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THESE` THAT THE WEATHER WILL IMPROVE AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THEM THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE DAY. THOSE ORANGE WARNINGS FROM METSERVICE REMAIN IN PLACE. THE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IS IN PLACE UNTIL 9 PM. THE WIND WARNING IN PLACE UNTIL 8 PM. A DAY OF WILD WEATHER STILL ON THE CARDS FOR THE NORTH. ONE OF THE REMAINING CONCERNS, REALLY, IS THE TIDAL SURGE. THE HIGH TIDE IS AT 10 AM THIS MORNING. WE COULD SEE WAVES OF UP TO 6 M UP TO 8 M. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOURTH WELLS OF UP TO 10 M. SO A WILD DAY OF WEATHER STILL ON THE CARDS, CHRIS. YOU STAY SAFE OUT THERE. AND JUST NORTH OF ROTORUA, A TREE HAS FALLEN, BLOCKING STATE HIGHWAY FIVE BETWEEN WAIOHOTU AND GALAXY ROADS. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED JUST AFTER 6am WITH REPORTS IT HAD ALSO STRUCK A CAR. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. CONTRACTORS ARE ON ROUTE TO REMOVE THE TREE. THE UK SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A WOMAN IS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AND EXCLUDES TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. IT FOLLOWS A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INCLUDING TRANS WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR GENDER QUOTAS. JUDGES HAVE NOW RULED LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN UNDER THE UK'S EQUALITY ACT ONLY APPLY TO THOSE BORN FEMALE. IT MEANS TRANS WOMEN CAN BE EXCLUDED FROM SINGLE-SEX SPACES LIKE CHANGING ROOMS. THE COURT ADDED THE ACT STILL PROVIDES LEGAL PROTECTION FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. TO SPORT ` ALL BLACKS CENTRE RIEKO IOANE MIGHT BE GETTING A SLIGHTLY FROSTY RECEPTION IN IRELAND AFTER ANNOUNCING HE'S JOINING IRISH CLUB LEINSTER ON A SABBATICAL BREAK. THE 28-YEAR-OLD WILL MISS THE NEXT SUPER RUGBY SEASON WITH THE BLUES TO PLAY IN THE UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP. HE REMAINS CONTRACTED TO NEW ZEALAND RUGBY THROUGH TO THE 2027 WORLD CUP. IOANE IS THE LATEST ALL BLACK TO SIGN WITH LEINSTER, FOLLOWING TEAMMATE JORDIE BARRETT MAKING THE MOVE LAST YEAR. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS, THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm THURSDAY EVENING AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IS IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL, PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN REGION. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN TO DEVELOP AN AFTERNOON. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH ` PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST ALONG THE EAST COAST, WITH LIGHT ISOLATED SHOWERS AND DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. HOWEVER, A MAINLY FINE DAY FOR THOSE ALONG THE WEST COAST. 21 IN GREYMOUTH. 15 IN QUEENSTOWN. DESPAIR AND STRESS FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS UNDER A STRAINED HEALTH SYSTEM IS BEING BROUGHT TO LIGHT BY A LONGSTANDING PATIENT ADVOCATE. MALCOLM MULHOLLAND HAS BEEN TOURING THE NORTH ISLAND HOLDING MEETINGS TO LEARN ABOUT THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM THOSE IN IT. THE STORIES ARE STARK ` IN ROTORUA HE WAS TOLD THE HOSPITAL IS DOZENS OF DOCTORS SHORT. AND IN TAUPO, HE HEARD TWO-THIRDS OF DOCTOR POSITIONS ARE VACANT. BREAKFAST HAS ALSO CHECKED THIS WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ON THE GROUND. TE WHATU ORA STRONGLY DISPUTES THE CLAIMS, HOWEVER WOULD NOT FRONT A SPOKESPERSON. PATIENT VOICE AOTEAROA'S MALCOLM MULHOLLAND JOINS US NOW. MORENA, MALCOLM. WHAT PROMPTED THIS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE? IT WAS PROMPTED BY THE BULLOUGH DECLARATION. THIS IS WHERE I AM FROM. I GOT A MESSAGE SAYING I AM BEING SHIFTED TO GREY HOSPITAL. WE FOUND OUT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE NEW HOSPITAL, IT HAD BEEN SHUT FOR A MONTH. WE ALSO HAD THE CLOSURES OF HOUR AFTER HOUR WEEKEND CLINICS AND PEOPLE SHIFTING TO TELEHEALTH. YOU FELT YOU HAD TO HEAR PEOPLE'S VOICES. BOWLER REACHED OUT, AND THEN I WAS STARTING TO BE CONTACTED BY PATIENTS AND CLINICIANS RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. YOU STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. DID YOU EXPECT TO STILL BE DOING IT? NO, I DIDN'T. THAT IS THE SHORT ANSWER. I HAVE GONE FROM COMMUNITY TO COMMUNITY AND DIFFERENT HEALTH LEADERS IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES HAVE SAID, HEY, COME AND JOIN US. WE HAVE STORIES TO TELL YOU. I THOUGHT BEFORE I STARTED THIS THE HEALTH SYSTEM WAS IN CRISIS. MY GREAT FEAR NOW THAT KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NIGHT AS WE WITNESSING THE COLLAPSE OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM. DID YOU EXPECT TO HEAR THAT WHEN YOU STARTED? NOT AT ALL. IF WE WERE TO LIKE A HEALTH SYSTEM TO A PATIENT, I WOULD SAY IT IS EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE AND IS ON LIFE SUPPORT. WHAT DID YOU HEAR IN ROTORUA? IN ROTORUA I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE 26.5 SENIOR DOCTORS SHORT. THAT IS ACCORDING TO TE WHATU ORA'S OWN STAFFING BOOKS. I WAS TOLD BY A NUMBER OF NURSES WHO WORK THERE THEY HAVE HAD NO PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTANT. THEY HAVE ONLY ONE ENDOCRINOLOGIST SO MOTHERS WITH GESTATION OR DIABETES ARE NOT BEING SENT TO. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE OF ROTORUA? YOU SPOKE WITH SPECIALIST, DOCTORS AND PATIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY THERE. IT MEANS PATIENTS MISS OUT ON SERVICES. IF I TAKE PALMERSTON NORTH FOR EXAMPLE, WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE CHRONICALLY UNDERSTAFFED IN 11 DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE PAUSED CERTAIN SERVICES THAT ARE A CASE OF LIFE AND DEATH. FOR EXAMPLE, SURVEILLANCE COLONOSCOPIES. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO PICK UP BAL CANCER EARLY. THAT HAS BEEN PAUSED. WE COULD TALK ABOUT HEART SCANS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, WE KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN PAUSED AND ONLY JUST RESUMED. THEY ARE BEHIND WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO TE WHATU ORA ABOUT THAT, BUT THEY STRONGLY DISPUTE THE FIGURE OF 30 DOCTORS SHORTAGE THAT YOU SAID, AND THEY SAID THERE ARE APPLICANTS FOR THE VACANCIES AND EXPECT TO BE FULLY STAFFED BY SEPTEMBER AND GO THROUGH A FULL RECRUITMENT PROCESS. THEY ALSO SAID IT FILLS VACANT SHIFTS BY LOCUMS. IS THAT SUFFICIENT? NO. THERE IS UNMET NEED THAT NEEDS TO BE MET BY DOCTORS. THEY SAY, WE HAVE X AMOUNT OF PATIENTS AND NEED X AMOUNT OF PROCEDURES. LET'S MOVE ACROSS TO TAUPO, BECAUSE HE ALSO VISITED THAT COMMUNITY. WE HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL SPECIALIST WARNING THERE WILL ONLY BE 2.3 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT SENIOR DOCTORS OUT OF NINE. WHAT CONCERNS WERE YOU HEARING IN TAUPO? I WAS APPROACHED AND STAFF SAYING WE HAVE DRAWN UP MULTIPLE TIMES PLANNED TO SHUT DOWN HOSPITAL AND THE NEXT YEAR. THEY WOULD HAVE TWO TRANSFER PATIENTS TO ROTORUA. MY CONCERN ABOUT THAT IS ROTORUA SUFFERS FROM BED BLOCK ` NOT ENOUGH BEDS. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THOSE PATIENTS? NO IDEA. HEALTH NEW ZEALAND ON THAT SAID SOMETHING IN TAUPO HAS INCREASED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WITH FIVE SENIOR DOCTORS INTO FULL-TIME JUNIOR DOCTORS IN PLACE AND THERE IS NO PLAN TO DOWNGRADE OR CLOSE SERVICES. DOES THAT MATCH WHAT YOU ARE HEARING? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WOULD TAKE THE WORD OF A DOCTOR WHO WORKS IN TUPPER HOSPITAL OVER A BUREAUCRAT WHO WORKS IN WELLINGTON. TAUPO* WE HAVE FOCUSED THEN ON ROTORUA AND TAUPO, BUT IS THERE ANYWHERE THAT IS DOING OK? NO, THERE ISN'T. I WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE. I WAS AT THE FAR NORTH. WE HAVE HEARD STORIES ABOUT TIGER BILL HOSPITAL BEING DOCTORLESS. DARGARVILLE* WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON COMMUNITIES? WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SERVICES AVAILABLE. THEY ARE SAD. THEY ARE FRUSTRATED. THEY ARE DESPERATE. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS TO GET US OUT OF THIS MESS, AND THAT IS WHAT IS MISSING FROM THE EQUATION. WE ALL KNOW THINGS ARE REALLY BAD OUT THERE, BUT BY NOT SEEING THE PLAN BEING PUT OR WOULD BOTH BY HEALTH NZ AS WELL IS THE MINISTER TO GET US OUT OF THIS MESS. I AM JUST WONDERING ABOUT YOU IN THIS WHOLE THING. BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS, LIKE THEY KEEP SAYING, FOR A MONTH. YOU ARE HEARING PEOPLE'S STORIES. THIS HAS TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOU AS WELL. YES. ARE YOU LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF THROUGH THIS WHOLE THING? I TRY. IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST CONFRONTING STORIES THAT I HAVE HAD, JENNY MAY, WHEN PATIENTS HAVE DIED, BY LACK OF SERVICES THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED. I KNOW THERE ARE PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIED IN THE WAIKATO WAITING FOR AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM. THERE ARE PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIED WAITING FOR AN ON COLLEGES. ONCOLOGIST* THE CANCER HAS PROGRESSED BY THAT POINT. PEOPLE COME UP AND SAY KEEP GOING, BOY. KEEP SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER, BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE THE SAME VAST. FOR US* THOSE ARE SOME PRETTY STRONG WORD YOU HAVE SAID ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY. AGAIN, WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THAT TO HEALTH NZ. BUT IN TERMS OF THE DATA IN THE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE HAD, IT IS ONE THING TO LISTEN, BUT WHAT NOW? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THAT INFORMATION? WHAT IS THE OUTCOME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FROM ALL OF THESE HUI THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ATTENDING? THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I INTEND TO DO. ONE IS MEET WITH THE MINISTER ` HIS DOOR IS OPEN, AND I INTEND TO TAKE HIM UP ON THAT OFFER. THE SECOND ASSIGNED THE BULLER DECLARATION. THERE ARE SHEETS SPREAD AROUND THE MOTU. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME ALONG TO THE PRESENTATION. ALONGSIDE THAT, WE WILL BE HOLDING A SUMMIT. IT WILL BE DRIVEN BY HEALTH LEADERS, BY OUR DOCTORS, BY OUR NURSES, TO SEE WHAT'S THE SOLUTIONS ARE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE THEN TO THE HEALTH MINISTER AND THE GOVERNMENT? I SAY THIS OFF THE BACK OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TWO DAYS AGO FROM SIMEON BROWN ABOUT IT BEING PULLED INTO INFRASTRUCTURE. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE WORKERS WHO ARE AT THE COALFACE TO DEAL WITH THIS ON A DAILY BASIS WHO KNOW WHERE THE SHORTAGES ARE. WORK WITH THEM, NOT AGAINST THEM. I KNOW YOU ARE PROBABLY EXHAUSTED ` HAD A WHO WE LAST NIGHT, ANOTHER ONE VOICEOVER: Chairs. Some are designed for aesthetics and some are designed for comfort. Sure, your eyes are drawn to one thing, but your body knows where it wants to be, especially at 30,000ft. Give your body what it wants with Premium Economy. NOT LOOKING TOO BAD AT THE MOMENT. AUCKLAND ` 21, RAIN WITH HEAVY FALLS, THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE FROM EVENING. STRONG EASTERLIES BUT SEVERE GALE IN EXPOSED PLACES, GUSTING 120km/h. MET SERVICE SAYS DON'T BE FOOLED. PLEASE TAKE CARE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE ROAD. I HOPE THE EASTER BUNNY CAN NAVIGATE THIS GNARLY WEATHER. HAMILTON ` 19, PERIODS OF RAIN, WITH HEAVY FALLS FROM AFTERNOON. STRONG AND GUSTY EASTERLIES, EASING AT NIGHT. WELLINGTON ` 18, CLOUDY, WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN FROM EVENING. SOUTHEASTERLIES. IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO BAD IN WELLINGTON. CHRISTCHURCH CLOUDY. A HIGH OF 16. COME IN, DUNEDIN. 16 AS YOU HIGH TODAY. CLOUDS DEVELOPING THIS MORNING AND YOU HAVE SOME NORTH-EASTERLY IS AS WELL. NO EASTER EGGS IN THE NEWSROOM. IF YOU CAN SEE THEM ON YOUR SCREENS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE THE WIDE SHOTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. THIS MORNING, YOU DID AN INTERVIEW WHICH WE WILL TALK ABOUT SHORTLY. BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD GO TO OUR HEADLINES FIRST. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. A NEIGHBOURHOOD IN VANCOUVER IS LEADING THE WAY INTO THE FUTURE BY USING HEAT FROM SEWAGE WASTEWATER TO POWER THEIR HOMES. THE UK SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A WOMAN IS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AND DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. AND ALL BLACKS CENTRE RIEKO IOANE HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S JOINING IRISH CLUB LEINSTER ON A SHORT TERM CONTRACT. LUCY BENDELL HAS BRAVED THE WILD WEATHER IN AUCKLAND AND JOINS US NOW. THAT WILD WEATHER IS LOOKING A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE WILD WIND TODAY WITH THE STRONGEST GUSTS HITTING OVERNIGHT 130 KM AN HOUR. MET SERVICE SAYS THIS IS UNUSUALLY HIGH, AND IT HAS CAUSED WIDESPREAD DAMAGE ACROSS AUCKLAND, AND FIRE AND EMERGENCY HAVE RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 100 WEATHER-RELATED CALLOUTS. IT LOOKS LIKE TREES HAVE COME DOWN, IT IS PULLING POWER LINES DOWN AS WELL, SO THAT HAS ALSO CAUSED WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES ACROSS BOTH OF THE REGIONS. AROUND 24 THOUSAND HOMES. THERE HAVE BEEN 65 REPORTS WITH HALF OF THEM ABOUT STORMWATER. STATE HIGHWAY FIVE IS ALSO CLOSE BECAUSE OF A TREE. ALL TEAMS ARE RESPONDING SWIFTLY AS THEY CAN TO CLEAN UP ANY OF THE DAMAGE, AND IF ANYONE IS HITTING THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND, WHICH IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY AS TOMORROW IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, THEY ARE URGING EVERYONE TO DRIVE SAFELY. AND IF YOU ARE HEADING ON A BOAT, MARITIME NEW ZEALAND IS SAYING TO AVOID ANY WATER ACTIVITIES. COROMANDEL BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE WRINGER IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WITH COVID AS WELL AS CYCLONE GABRIELLE DESTROYING STATE HIGHWAY 25A ` A CRUCIAL LINK TO THE PENINSULA. NOW WITH THE BRIDGE REPAIRED, AND A TOURISM NEW ZEALAND FUNDING BOOST OF $13.5M, THERE ARE HOPES THE REGION CAN ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL VISITORS ONCE MORE. PETER HUNT IS CHAIR OF THE TAIRUA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND JOINS US NOW. HOW IS THE WEATHER AT YOUR PLACE? IT'S BLOWING, BUT NOT TOO WET. SO THAT IS A GOOD SIGN. WHAT HAS THE IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES BEEN THIS PAST FEW YEARS? IT'S BEEN A STRING OF THINGS. COVERT TO THE BRIDGE OUT, AND OF COURSE, WE HAD OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES LIKE OUR NUMBER ONE DESTINATION CATHEDRAL COVE, ITS PATHWAY WAS OPENED JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS JUST LAST YEAR, SO THERE'S BEEN A STRING OF THINGS, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE RECESSION AS WELL. SO WE'VE HAD A FEW HITS, QUITE A FEW OVER THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. AND HOW HAS THE SUMMER BEEN THAT'S JUST GONE? HAS PUT YOU IN A GOOD PLACE? ANECDOTALLY, WE'VE SEEN MORE VISITORS, MORE CAMPERVAN'S COMING IN AND COMING THROUGH, WE'VE TALKED TO BUSINESSES AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT AS GOOD AS THEY EXPECTED, BECAUSE WE HAD SUCH A GREAT SUMMER, BUT THE WEATHER IS GONE NOW, BUT WE HAD A BRILLIANT SUMMER, EXPECTED A BIT MORE. AND I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T SPENDING AS MUCH AS WE WOULD HAVE HOPED, BUT LOOK, IT'S BEEN GOOD. WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE PEOPLE BACK AND PLEASED TO SEE CATHEDRAL COVE BACK ONLINE. THOSE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS? YES, IT IS ALSO ABOUT LOCAL AND WE GET A LOT OF INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS TO THE COROMANDEL REGION, THEY ARE THE ONES, NOT THE PACKAGE TOUR OPERATORS COME DOWN HERE, IF THEY DO, THAT IS JUST FOR THE DAY TO SEE CATHEDRAL COVE AND HOT WATER BEACH AND THEN THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. AND HENCE, OUR BIG CHALLENGE I THINK, IS TO MAKE PEOPLE STAY AND PLAY LONGER. AND THAT IS WHAT` LOOKS, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE INCREASE OF SPEND AND ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL VISITORS HERE, BUT OUR CHALLENGE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE IS TO MAKE PEOPLE STAY IN THE REGIONS LONGER. SO THAT IS OUR MAIN THING GOING FORWARD. HERE'S HOPING WE CAN SQUEEZE A LITTLE BIT MORE. REALLY APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US THIS MORNING AND HEADING INTO THE COROMANDEL THIS WEEKEND, SO I WILL HOPEFULLY DO MY BIT FOR THE REGION. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 7.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. # I FEEL IT COMING. # I FEEL IT COMING, BABY. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. STRONG WINDS HAVE LASHED THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND OVERNIGHT AS EX TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM MAKES ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. 18,000 HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND AS MORE REPORTS COME THROUGH OF TREES DOWN ON ROADS AND POWER LINES. IN THE COROMANDEL, PEOPLE ARE BEING URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM TOURIST HOT SPOT CATHEDRAL COVE. THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION HAS CLOSED THE TRACKS, SAYING THE CONDITIONS WILL MAKE IT UNSAFE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. INTERISLANDER FERRY PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS ARE IN LINE FOR COMPENSATION. KIWIRAIL HAS MADE LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMERCE COMMISSION TO TREAT DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAULTS, AS WITHIN ITS CONTROL, FOLLOWING A SERIES OF BREAKDOWNS IN 2023. AT THE TIME THE BUSINESS DENIED REFUND REQUESTS FROM AFFECTED CUSTOMERS SAYING IT WASN'T LIABLE AND IN DOING SO WAS LIKELY TO HAVE MISLED CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS. KIWIRAIL HAS NOW CHANGED ITS PROCESS AND WILL RE-EVALUATE PREVIOUS CLAIMS. A PATIENT ADVOCATE WHOSE SPENT THE PAST MONTH HEARING STORIES FROM HEALTH STAFF ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND SAYS THE SYSTEM IS IN A STATE OF 'COLLAPSE'. MALCOLM MULHOLLAND IS URGING THE HEALTH MINISTER TO LISTEN TO STAFF ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY'RE FACING. HE SAYS STORIES OF PATIENTS DYING BECAUSE OF DELAYED CARE HAVE AFFECTED HIM THE MOST. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIED IN WAIKATO WAITING FOR AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM ALL WAITING TO SEE AND ONCOLOGIST.. TE WHATU ORA HEALTH NEW ZEALAND DISPUTES SOME OF PATIENT VOICE AOTEAROA'S CLAIMS, SAYING STAFF SHORTAGES IN ROTORUA ARE LOWER THAN REPORTED. AND STAFFING IN TAUPO HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. ALSO IN THE U.S. COURTS, A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS FOUND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD BE HELD IN CRIMINAL CONTEMPT FOR WILFULLY DISREGARDING AN ORDER TO HALT DEPORTATION FLIGHTS. LAST MONTH, HUNDREDS OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS WERE DEPORTED UNDER AN 18th CENTURY LAW, DESPITE A COURT ORDER TO STOP THE FLIGHTS. THE JUDGE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT LATER RULING THAT THE LAW COULD BE USED FOR THE DEPORTATIONS DOESN'T EXCUSE THE VIOLATION OF THE COURT ORDER. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS COULD BE AVOIDED IF AN EXPLANATION IS PROVIDED. ARSENAL HAVE MISSED A MASSIVE CHANCE TO KILL OFF REAL MADRID'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES, MISSING A FIRST HALF PENALTY AT THE BERNABEU. BUKAYO SAKA WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT ARSENAL 4-0 UP ON AGGREGATE. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) I CANNOT BELIEVE HE HAS GONE FOR IT. HE HAS ACTUALLY TRIED TO DINK IT. IN THE BACK OF THE NET. STILL NIL-ALL EARLY ON IN THE SECOND LEG QUARTER FINAL CLASH. IT'S GREAT HOW WE ARE NOW FINISHING EACH OTHER'S SENTENCES. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETS. (FUNKY MUSIC) AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS ` THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm TONIGHT AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TILL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN DISTRICT. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR THE NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN TO DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON. 19 THE HIGH IN GISBORNE. 18 IN WELLINGTON. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH. PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST, WITH SCATTERED RAIN AND PATCHY DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 21 THE HIGH IN GREYMOUTH. 15 IN QUEENSTOWN. IF A LACK OF ABILITY HAS EVER HELD YOU BACK FROM JOINING A CHOIR, THERE COULD STILL BE HOPE. A GROUP IN THE UK IS GROWING IN POPULARITY FOR ACTIVELY RECRUITING PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY CAN'T SING. THE BBC'S GEORGIA STONE HAS MORE. FOR THIS CHOIR, IT'S NOT ABOUT HITTING THE HIGH NOTES. IT'S A GROUP WHERE HARMONY, TIMING AND PITCH AREN'T IMPORTANT. # SO DON'T STOP ME NOW. HILARY REMEMBERS BEING TOLD AS A YOUNG GIRL SHE COULDN'T SING. AND EVER SINCE, SHE WOULDN'T EVEN SING ALONE IN HER OWN HOME. BUT JOINING THIS CHOIR HAS GIVEN HER CONFIDENCE AND PUT A SMILE BACK ON HER FACE. IT GIVES ME SO MUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS, AND I DON'T REALLY CARE. I... YOU KNOW, I CAN HEAR MY OWN VOICE AND I THINK, AAH, BUT I DON'T CARE. I THINK IT'S THE FACT THAT IT SAYS TUNELESS CHOIR, AND THEREFORE I THOUGHT, WELL, I'M TUNELESS; I CAN COME TO THIS CHOIR. MARY RUNS SEVERAL CHOIRS AND KNOWS SINGING NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ABILITY CAN REALLY HELP PEOPLE. IT'S A NICE, SAFE SPACE FOR PEOPLE WHO'VE GOT NO VOICE, OR THEY THINK THEY'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH JUST TO LET RIP, REALLY, AND HAVE A REALLY GOOD TIME. IT'S REALLY GOOD FOR KIND OF WELL-BEING AS WELL. SO WE'VE GOT PEOPLE HERE WHO MAYBE, YOU KNOW, MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. SOME PEOPLE COME, COS THEY TRULY THINK THEY'VE GOT A TERRIBLE VOICE AND WANT TO GET BETTER. BUT I DID IT BECAUSE IT IS JUST SO JOYFUL, AND WE ALWAYS GO AWAY SINGING. THE CHOIR MEET WEEKLY AT LONGWELL GREEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND, RECENTLY, A SECOND EVENING CLASS HAS BEEN ADDED DUE TO MORE PEOPLE WANTING TO GIVE IT A GO. ANDREW JOINED AFTER HE RETIRED. WHILST I'M NOT TONE DEAF, I DO FIND IT QUITE DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE PITCH OF A NOTE, AND MY SENSE OF RHYTHM IS NOT GREAT EITHER. AND YOU KNOW WHAT ` IT DOESN'T MATTER. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND GO, 'THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TONE DEAF CHOIR,' AND, ACTUALLY THEY CAN SING. THIS CHOIR PROVES SINGING IS FOR EVERYONE, EVEN IF YOU CAN'T QUITE HIT THE RIGHT NOTES. (CHUCKLES) WELL, I WOULDN'T BE PART OF THAT GROUP. (SCOFFS) JUST SAYING. I HAVE A FEW THOUGHTS, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS BEST TO SAY NOTHING OF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY. I WILL SAY IN THEIR DEFENCE THAT HAVING TO SING QUEEN IS QUITE HARD. WHEN THEY WERE SINGING, DON'T STOP ME NOW, I WAS THINKING SOMEBODY STOP NOW. I DO LIKE THE IDEA. JUST NOT ANYWHERE NEAR ME. I WONDER IF THEY HAVE AN END OF SEASON PERFORMANCE. SORRY. BUSY. NOT AVAILABLE THAT NIGHT. IF YOU CAN'T SING, YOU SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GO AND GIVE IT A CRACK. IN YOUR CAR. (CHUCKLES) WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. GOOD ON THEM. STEPPING OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COASTING YOUR MATES. PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON THE LONG WEEKEND. GHOST YOUR FRIENDS AND DO NOT RESPOND UNTIL YOU CAN GET TO A SAFE SPACE. YEAH, I LOVE GHOSTING PEOPLE. GHOSTING SOMEONE YOU'VE BEEN DATING A WHILE IS JUST... SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S RUDE. WHATEVER. I'LL GHOST ANYONE. I'LL GHOST MY MUM, MY WORK, MY BESTIES ` ANYONE AND EVERYONE. (LAUGHS) I WILL DEFINITELY BE GHOSTING WORK OVER THE NEXT WEEK. I AM WITH YOU. I LIKE IT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE DO NOT DISTURB. I HAVE MY PHONE ON SILENT THE WHOLE TIME. IF YOU RING ME, I WILL PROBABLY MISS THE CALL. YOU KNOW WHAT IT HAS MADE ME DO ` I WONDER IF ANYBODY HAS CALLED. WHAT HAVE I MISSED? ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING ONE OR TWO HOURS. I DON'T MIND THAT. TURN THE RADIO UP. SAYING TO THE RADIO SO THAT EVERYONE HAS TO LISTEN TO ME. IT IS A GREAT CAMPAIGN. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARDS YOUTH, BUT IT IS STILL A GOOD REMINDER FOR EVERYONE. ME U TONU MAI ` OUR POLITICAL PANEL JOINS US NEXT. HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT'S $20b PLAN FOR HOSPITAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH UPGRADES FIT INTO THE COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE. # DON'T STOP ME NOW. # I'M HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME. I'M HAVING A BALL. VOICEOVER: Waitoa free range chicken. Turns the whole family... Dad? ...cozy. What's happening? I'm warm and cozy, but worried. You know what? I actually feel close to you all. Waitoa free range chicken. All the feels for all the meals. # I'M TELLING YOU NOW, TELLING YOU NOW... # WHEN IT ALL GOES DOWN, I WILL BE THERE. GOOD MORNING. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. A PATIENT ADVOCATE WHO'S BEEN TRAVELLING AROUND THE NORTH ISLAND HEARING STORIES FROM HEALTH STAFF SAYS THE SYSTEM IS IN A STATE OF 'COLLAPSE'. 'GHOST YOUR MATES' ` THAT'S THE NEW SAFETY MESSAGE FROM POLICE AND ACC, WHO ARE URGING PEOPLE TO STAY OFF THEIR PHONES WHILE DRIVING THIS EASTER WEEKEND. AND JUST GENERALLY ACTUALLY. YEAH. AND A U.S. JUDGE SAYS HE COULD HOLD THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN CONTEMPT OF COURT FOR FAILING TO FOLLOW AN ORDER TO HALT THE DEPORTATION OF AROUND 200 PEOPLE TO EL SALVADOR LAST MONTH. THE GOVERNMENT HAS DIAGNOSED INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS ACROSS AOTEAROA'S AGEING HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES. THE TREATMENT ` A MORE THAN $20 BILLION SPEND UP ON UPGRADES, RENEWALS AND EXPANSIONS. BUT THE OPPOSITION IS WARNING OF SOME SIDE EFFECTS. CHRIS HIPKINS SUGGESTING THE GOVERNMENT'S MAGICKING THE $20 BILLION OUT OF THIN AIR. OFFERING THEIR SECOND OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE NATIONAL'S CHRIS BISHOP AND LABOUR'S KIERAN MCANULTY. AS ALWAYS, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH ON THE PROGRAMME. CHRIS, CAN I START WITH YOU? WHERE EXACTLY IS THE $20 BILLION COMING FROM? AS THIS ACTUALLY FUNDED OR IS IT JUST A PROMISE? IT IS A FORECAST SPEND THAT WE NEED OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS ALSO TO BRING OUR HOSPITALS UP TO SPEC. I THINK IT IS WORTH REFLECTING ON WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. THIS IS THE FIRST EVER PLAN OF ITS LIKE. WE WERE SCEPTICAL AS A GOVERNMENT OF THE DHBs MERGING, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE HAVE A NATIONAL LEVEL VIEW OF HOW THE HEALTH SERVICES. WE CAN SEE WHAT WE NEED TO PRIORITISE. THE PLAN BRINGS IT TOGETHER. THE SAD REALITY IS THAT ON AVERAGE OUR HOSPITALS ARE 5050 YEARS OLD. WE HAVEN'T INVESTED ENOUGH PCI ` OUR HOSPITALS ARE 50 YEARS OLD ON AVERAGE. CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT THE $20 BILLION, WHERE THAT IS COMING FROM, IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT THE FRONTLINE SERVICES? WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS PROGRESSIVELY CHUNKED DOWN THE PROBLEM AND ADDRESS IT OVER MANY YEARS. YOU CAN'T JUST DROP THE MONEY INSTANTLY AND CHANGE EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO. THIS IS A PLAN FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS AND BEYOND TO UPGRADE OUR HOSPITALS SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST. THEY HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS AROUND NELSON AND WHANGAREI AT THE MOMENT. WE WILL DO THAT IN STAGES. WE ARE ALL ABOUT DOING THINGS IN STAGES SO THAT YOU STAGE THE BILLS AND YOU GET A MUCH MORE SEQUENCED APPROACH INTO THE MARKET WHICH THE INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR ONCE BY THE WAY. WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? GROWING TALK TO THE PEOPLE IN DUNEDIN AND NELSON ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT A STAGED APPROACH. THEY HAD A HOSPITAL BUILD LINED UP AND THEN IT WAS HELD BACK. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT. YOUR PREVIOUS PERSON DID NOT ANSWER EITHER OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ASKED. IT IS GOOD THAT WE HAVE A UNDERSTANDING OF THE HOSPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. BISHOP IS RIGHT THAT THAT HAS COME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE MERGER THAT WE PUT IN PLACE, BUT WE NEED MORE THAN THAT. WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM AND WHAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING AT WHAT TIME. WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT KIWIS HAVE ABOUT THEIR HEALTH DELIVERY. THEY SAID THAT THERE WASN'T GOING TO BE A HIRING FREEZE, YET PEOPLE LIKE HEALTH ADVOCATES AND THOSE ON THE FRONTLINE SAY THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE ARE BEING TOLD BY THOSE THAT ARE ON THE FRONTLINE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. IF THE GOVERNMENT WANTS US TO GET BEHIND THIS AND BELIEVE THEY WILL DELIVER THE PLAN, THEY NEED TO RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS A LACK OF FAITH WITH THEM AT THE MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH. CAN I PUSH BACK A BIT ON THIS REGARDING SO-CALLED CUTS? WE PUT $16.68 BILLION INTO THINGS. AND WE PUT MORE MONEY THAN THE TREASURY RECOMMENDED WE PUT IN. THE IDEA OF HEALTH CUTS IS A NONSENSE. THERE ARE MORE DOCTORS AND NURSES ON THE FRONTLINE THEN THERE WERE TWO YEARS AGO. THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM. I RECOGNISE IT IS UNDER STRESS. NO ONE IS DENYING THAT, BUT WE ARE PROGRESSIVELY WORKING THROUGH THAT. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HEARD THE INTERVIEW THAT WE DID WITH MALCOLM MULHOLLAND WHO HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR THE PAST MONTH TALKING TO STAFF. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DOCTORS ET CETERA. TALKING ABOUT THE CRISIS THAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR HEALTH AND PARTICULAR HOSPITALS, IF WE TALK ABOUT THE $20 BILLION THAT IS GOING INTO INFRASTRUCTURE, SHOULD BE GOING THERE OR SHOULD HAVE BE GOING TOWARDS OUR DOCTORS OR FRONTLINE STAFF? ARE YOU TALKING TO ME OR KIERAN? YOU NEED TO DO BOTH. NURSES AND DOCTORS NEED TO WORKING CONDITIONS THAT THEY CAN WORK IN. MANY PEOPLE WILL BE AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES IN OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE OF OUR BUILDINGS. YOU HAVE TO DELIVER CARE IN BUILDINGS THAT ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE. THAT IS WHAT THE PLAN IS. IT'S TO DO BOTH. TO INVEST IN NURSES AND DOCTORS AND ALL OF THE PLANNED TEARS AND ELECTIVE SURGERIES THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO DELIVER. BUT ALSO YOU NEED TO DO THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AS WELL. WE DON'T HAVE A $20 BILLION PIPELINE LINED UP WITH FUNDING COMMITMENTS. THAT IS NOT THE WAY THAT THE BUDGET WORKS. YOU NEED TO DO BUSINESS CASES FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS. YOU NEED TO SCOPE OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL BUILD AND WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD IT. BUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IS THE FIRST PART OF DOING THAT. IT DOES ACTUALLY HAVE A BIT OF A SEQUENCE OF WORK OVER THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR NURSES AND DOCTORS TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE COMMUNITIES. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SO QUICK TO DISMISS WHAT MR MULHOLLAND IS SAYING BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WHAT HE IS SAYING IS DERIVED FROM WHAT PEOPLE ON THE FRONTLINE TELLING HIM. HE IS TOURING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LISTENING TO NEW ZEALANDERS AND HEARING THEIR STORIES ABOUT THE HEALTH SYSTEM AND TALKING TO DOCTORS AND NURSES WORKING THERE. HE KNOWS THAT WHEN LESTER LEVY INSTRUCTED HEALTH NEW ZEALAND TO FIND $1.4 BILLION OF SAVINGS, THAT IS CUTS. WHEN YOU REMOVE IT STAFF AND ORDERLY STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION STAFF AND WE HEAR OF DOCTORS MAKING BEDS AND NURSES DOING THE SAME AND DOING ADMIN TASKS THAT ARE TAKING THEM AWAY FROM THEIR PATIENTS, WE SHOULD LISTEN TO THAT. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T TRY TO BE SO CLEVER WITH THE NUMBERS. THE FACT IS THAT WHATEVER FUNDING THEY ARE PUTTING IN, IT ISN'T ENOUGH. THE HEALTH SYSTEM STRUGGLING. IT'S GOOD THAT THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT WE NEED HELP IN OUR HOSPITALS, BUT WE NEED INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IT WILL BE FUNDED. WILL IT BE FUNDED PRIVATELY? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LEASE HOSPITALS? SENIOR DOCTORS UNION SAYS THAT STAFF ARE HEADING TO AUSTRALIA. THIS WAS THE HEALTH MINISTER'S RESPONSE THEY SHOULD GET BACK AROUND THE TABLE. ULTIMATELY, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST. PATIENTS SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS BARGAINING CHIPS WITH UNIONS. IS THAT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR THE MINISTER TO TAKE? ABSOLUTELY. I BACK HIM 100%. THE DOCTORS UNION HAS ASKED FOR A 12% PAY RISE. I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT 99% OF PEOPLE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM HAVE NOT HAD A 12% PAY RISE THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR AND AS CERTAINLY NOT ASKING FOR ONE. THEY ARE EXTREMELY WELL REMUNERATED, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THE OTHER THINGS THAT THEY GET AS WELL. THE AVERAGE WAGE IS $340,000 PER YEAR. THE EFFECT OF THIS STRIKE WILL BE TO DELAY MUCH-NEEDED SURGERIES. I ENCOURAGED HIM TO GET AROUND THE TABLE AND SPEAK WITH THE GOVERNMENT. WE ARE A REASONABLE GOVERNMENTS. WE CANNOT JUSTIFY THE INCREASES THEY ARE DEMANDING. WHAT DO YOU THINK? I HAVE NO TIME FOR THAT GUY. I CONSIDER HIM DISHONEST AND DISINGENUOUS. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIM. PEOPLE LAUGHED AT THAT FIGURE. THE JUNIOR SPECIALISTS ARE GETTING PAID LESS THAN THE PEOPLE THEY ARE SUPERVISING. WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT WHO IS BEING UPFRONT WITH KIWIS. OF COURSE THERE NEEDS TO BE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND MEDICAL STAFF. WE WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING, BUT WE DIDN'T TREAT OUR MEDICAL STAFF, WHO WE SHOULDN'T LOSE TO AUSTRALIA WHO PAY MORE, THEY CAN'T BE FORGOTTEN. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON A THURSDAY. HAPPY EASTER. HAD A GOOD EASTER. E WHAI AKE NEI ` THE WARRIORS WOMEN HAVE LURED ANOTHER UNION PLAYER TO THE 13-A-SIDE GAME. WE'LL HAVE MORE SPORT AFTER THE BREAK. # BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE... VOICEOVER: One minute you're doing a little DIY. The next you've done too much. With Tower, you can save $75 on every new comprehensive car or contents insurance policy. Ts&Cs apply. Got a minute? Get a quote. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. THE WARRIORS WOMEN HAVE LURED ANOTHER PLAYER FROM RUGBY UNION ` BLUES UTILITY PATRICIA MALIEPO SIGNING WITH THE KIWI LEAGUE CLUB IN THEIR RETURN TO THE NRLW. WITH MORE ON THIS IS SPORTS REPORTER KATE WELLS. BUT, KATE, IT WASN'T EASY FOR PATRICIA TO LEAVE THE BLUES. ABSOLUTELY NOT. AFTER THE FINAL ON SATURDAY, SHE WAS VERY EMOTIONAL WITH HER FAMILY GETTING SOME NICE NECKLACES WITH CHOCOLATES AND WHATNOT. SHE WAS BAWLING HER EYES OUT. I SAID, WHAT IS HAPPENING? I SPOKE TO HER AFTERWARDS, AND SHE SAID SHE LOVES THE BLUE SO MUCH. THIS IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CLUB SHE IS LEAVING. IF WE GET THERE. OH, HONESTLY, IT MEANS A LOT. I WAS A PART OF THE FIRST TEAM THAT PLAYED HERE IN 2021, AND TO BE BACK HERE, WIN IT LAST YEAR HERE, AT HOME, WIN IT AGAIN THIS YEAR AT HOME, GOING FROM A LOSING STREAK TO WINNING BACK-TO-BACK IS UNREAL. THERE'S NO BETTER FEELING THAN THAT, YEAH. QUITE A LOT OF NEWS FOR THE BLUES. PATRICIA IS GOING. THEY HAVE SOME HOLES TO FILL NEXT YEAR. THE WARRIORS TEAM IS LOOKING LIKE AN EXCITING TEAM. TO BASKETBALL, AND STEPH CURRY IS DOING STEPH CURRY THINGS. I LOVE WATCHING THESE THINGS. THEY COMBINED THE 75 POINTS, BEATING THE GRIZZLIES 121-116. THEY TAKE ON STEPHEN ADAMS AND THE HOUSTON ROCKETS AND A BEST-OF-SEVEN FIRST-ROUND SERIES. EVEN HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS. IT IS ONE OF THOSE GAMES WHERE EVERYTHING JUST GOES RIGHT, AND AS AN ATHLETE, THEY TALK ABOUT THE FLOW. THIS IS THAT FLOW. THAT IS WHAT I TELL MYSELF ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THAT JUMP SHOT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. COMING UP IN THE LAST HOUR ` EXPERTS ARE CALLING FOR NATIONWIDE PLAN FOR BREAST MILK BANKS. EXPERTS ARE CALLING FOR NATIONWIDE PLAN FOR BREAST MILK BANKS. ONLY FOUR HOSPITALS IN NEW ZEALAND OFFER MILK BANK SERVICES. WE SPEAK TO A NEONATOLOGIST WHO SAYS ITS HIGH TIME MORE DID. IT'S CREAMY, RICH AND MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, BUT IS IT ANY GOOD FOR YOU? I THOUGHT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MILK STILL. OH DEAR. WE PUT CHOCOLATE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE. PLUS, AUCKLAND'S KELLY TARTLTONS IS 40 YEARS OLD. WE'LL BE LIVE WITH ALL THE FISHIES CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE AT HALF PAST. IT'S 8 O'CLOCK. HERE'S THE NEWS. EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM CONTINUES TO LASH THE UPPER NORTH ISLAND WITH STRONG WINDS. TREES ARE DOWN, AND THOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE WITHOUT POWER. WE'LL CROSS NOW TO REPORTER YVONNE TAHANA, WHO'S IN PAIHIA. HOW'S IT LOOKING OUT THERE? HORRIBLE, CHRIS. THAT IS THE TRUTH. THE WIND IS PICKING UP. I AM WATCHING A TREE BEHIND OUR CAMERAMAN. THE POWER OF IT IS SO IMPRESSIVE. 100 KM WINS IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS. IT IS WORTH FURTHER NORTH. WE GOT SOME SHOTS JUST AFTER 7 O'CLOCK, AND THERE IS A ROAD FROM WAITANGI INTO TOWN, AND THERE IS A SEAWALL THERE, AND WATER IS STARTING TO COME OVER THE SEAWALL ONTO THE ROAD. THAT IS A FACTOR, BECAUSE THE HIGH TIDE ISN'T UNTIL 10 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING, AND AUTHORITIES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WAVES. I WANT TO RUN YOU THROUGH SOME FACTS. ABOUT HALF-IN OUR INLAND, THE VILLAGE HAS SEEN 119 MM OF RAIN. KAIO, THAT IS A TOWN THAT HAS BEEN HIT HARD OVER THE YEARS, CHRIS, AND THE RIVER IS AT SUCH A STATE WITH THE FLOODING COULD BE POSSIBLE. 24,000 PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER IN THE NORTH. I SPOKE TO A FOOD DELIVERY MAN. HE IS FROM THE BAY JUST AROUND THE CORNER. HE HAS BEEN OUT ON THE ROAD. HE WORKS FROM MIDNIGHT TILL ABOUT MID MORNING, AND HE SAYS THE ROADS ARE UGLY. WE WILL BE GETTING OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT LATER ON, BUT HIS MESSAGE WAS TO STAY HOME. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF. A PATIENT ADVOCATE WHOSE SPENT THE PAST MONTH HEARING FROM HEALTH STAFF ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND, SAYS THE SYSTEM IS ON 'LIFE SUPPORT'. MALCOLM MULHOLLAND SAYS ROTORUA HOSPITAL STAFF TOLD HIM THEY'RE DOZENS OF DOCTORS SHORT, AND IN TAUPO, HE HEARD TWO-THIRDS OF DOCTOR POSITIONS ARE VACANT. HE SAYS DOCTORS REPORT NEEDING MORE STAFF THAN WHAT HEALTH NEW ZEALAND HAS BUDGETED FOR TO MEET PATIENT NEEDS. I THOUGHT, BEFORE I STARTED THIS, THE HEALTH SYSTEM'S IN CRISIS. MY GREAT FEAR NOW, THAT KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NIGHT, IS THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY WITNESSING THE COLLAPSE OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. HEALTH NEW ZEALAND TE WHATU ORA STRONGLY DISPUTES SOME OF MR MULHOLLAND'S CLAIMS, SAYING STAFF SHORTAGES IN ROTORUA ARE LOWER THAN REPORTED AND STAFFING IN TAUPO HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. ISRAEL'S DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN GAZA EVEN AFTER A CEASEFIRE DEAL IS STRUCK. SINCE RESUMING OPERATIONS LAST MONTH, ISRAEL SAYS IT NOW CONTROLS 30% OF THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORY. IT SAYS THESE ARE SECURITY ZONES TO PREVENT A REPEAT OF THE HAMAS OCTOBER 7thTTACK. TO PREVENT A REPEAT OF THE HAMAS OCTOBER 7th ATTACK. ISRAEL ALSO WON'T WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM AREAS IT CONTROLS IN LEBANON AND SYRIA. IT'S ALL GOING NEWCASTLE'S WAY IN THIS MORNING'S ENGLISH PREMIER, LEAGUE CLASH AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE, TAKING A COMMANDING 5-0 LEAD. JACOB MURPHY OPENING THE MAGPIES' ACCOUNT IN THE 14th MINUTE. MURPHY. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) WHAT ABOUT IT? FROM JACOB MURPHY. FROM THERE, THE FLOODGATES OPENED. NEWCASTLE SCORING FOUR MORE GOALS AND SAVING A PENALTY IN THE PROCESS. LET'S CHECK OUT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS ` THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm TONIGHT AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TILL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN DISTRICT. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR THE NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN TO DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON. 19 THE HIGH IN GISBORNE. 18 IN WELLINGTON. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH. PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST, WITH SCATTERED RAIN AND PATCHY DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 21 THE HIGH IN GREYMOUTH. 15 IN QUEENSTOWN. THANKS, CHRIS. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH CALLS BREAST-MILK THE 'PERFECT FOOD FOR A BABY'. BUT FOR MANY SICK OR PREMATURE BABIES IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS, IF THEIR MOTHER IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE ENOUGH MILK, THEY OFTEN NEED ADDITIONAL MILK FROM SOMEONE ELSE. BUT ONLY FOUR HOSPITALS IN NEW ZEALAND OFFER MILK BANK SERVICES. THE BIGGEST TWO DON'T HAVE A FORMAL SYSTEM IN PLACE AT ALL. MANY ARE NOW CALLING FOR A NATIONWIDE APPROACH, LIKE THEY HAVE IN AUSTRALIA. DR GERGELY TOLDI, A NEONATOLOGIST AT AUCKLAND'S STARSHIP HOSPITAL, IS WITH US NOW. TALK TO US ABOUT BREAST MILK AND HOW MUCH IT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON EITHER PREMATURE BABIES OR UNWELL BABIES. WE LIKE TO CALL THE BREAST MILK LIQUID GOLD. THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS KNOWN TO HAVE SEVERAL HEALTH BENEFITS OVER FORMULA MILK. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF ALLERGIES, LONG-TERM DISEASES, OBESITY LATER IN LIFE, AND THAT GOES FOR THE MOTHER AS WELL. I KNOW THAT YOU WORK AT ONE OF OUR COUNTRY'S BIGGEST NICUs. HOW DO YOU CURRENTLY SOURCE BREAST MILK FOR BABIES THAT NEED IT? THAT IS IF MUM IS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE MILK. I LIKE THE ANALOGY OF BLOOD DONATION. IT IS ANOTHER BODILY FLUID AT THE END OF THE DAY. CAN YOU IMAGINE IN 2025 THAT YOU NEED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION, YOU GO INTO THE HOSPITAL, AND THEY TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN ONLY GET ONE IF YOU ARE BASED IN WELLINGTON, CHRISTCHURCH, PALMERSTON NORTH OR WHANGAREI, AND THOSE OF THE FOUR HOSPITALS THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT CURRENTLY HAVE A MILK BANK. IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE CURRENTLY RELY ON INFORMAL OR PEER TO PEER DONATION. THAT MEANS THAT EITHER THE PARENTS OF THOSE BABIES WHO NEED MILK IDENTIFY SOMEONE IN THEIR FAMILY OR ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS WHO CAN SUPPLY SOME MILK WHO HAS A SURPLUS OR IT IS FACILITATED BY A LACTATION CONSULTANT WHO WORKS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND THEY KNOW IF A PARENT OF ANOTHER BABY HAS MORE MILK THAN NEEDED, WHICH THEY COULD SHARE WITH OTHER BABIES. SO THERE IS NO FORMAL ARRANGEMENT. THIS IS REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW, CONTACTS THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP OUT. THAT IS RIGHT. THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT THE SUPPLIES ARE NOT CONSISTENT. THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH. WHEN I DO MY ROUNDS AND NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE, AND THEY HAVE FOUR OR FIVE BABIES THAT NEED DONOR MILK, I OFTEN NEED TO PRIORITISE AND KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD ALL BENEFIT FROM BREAST MILK, IT IS A REALLY TOUGH THING TO DO. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING COULD ACTUALLY HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE? I THINK WHAT WE NEED IS A NATIONAL SYSTEM AND A FORMAL ARRANGEMENT IN A WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEM OF MILK ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THE BLOOD SERVICE. SO THAT WOULD BE MORE AROUND` A SYSTEM HAS TO BE SET UP, RIGHT, IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. BUT IT WOULD ALSO MEAN THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY AN ISSUE, RIGHT? THAT IS RIGHT. IT CERTAINLY NEEDS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, LOGISTICS, AND ULTIMATELY STAFF, AND PEOPLE WHO ARRANGE FOR COLLECTING THE MILK FROM THE COMMUNITY, FROM THE DONORS, WHO PROCESS THOSE MILK DONATIONS AND THEN DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE BABIES THAT NEED IT. BUT IT IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT INTO THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND THE WHOLE POPULATION. WE DID GET A RESPONSE FROM HEALTH NEW ZEALAND, WHO SAID THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALL NEW ZEALAND BASED HUMAN MILK BANKS ON A DRAFT GUIDELINE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH ANY DECISION ABOUT FUNDING WILL NEED TO BE PRIORITISED ALONG OTHER HEALTH FUNDING REQUESTS. IS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON GUIDELINES WITH THOSE THAT DO CURRENTLY HAVE MILK BANKS, IS THAT A POSITIVE SIGN FOR YOU? WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO GO FURTHER THAN THAT? I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE IT GOING FURTHER, AND I THINK IT NEEDS A BIT OF A STRONGER COMMITMENT TO BE HONEST. THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH PROGRESS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND IT IS GREAT TO HAVE THOSE MILK BANKS. THEY ARE BASICALLY COMMUNITY EFFORTS OR FUNDED FROM LOCAL SOURCES AND THOSE HOSPITALS. BUT, AGAIN, IT MAKES THEM VULNERABLE TO SUPPLY ISSUES, FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, SO I THINK THAT IT DOES NEED TO BE A STRONGER COMMITMENT FROM POLICYMAKERS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU AND OTHER EXPERTS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR FOR SOME TIME. YES, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST, AND I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE MORE AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE FANTASTIC PARENTS WHO DONATE BREAST MILK OR CONSIDER DONATING BREAST MILK. BUT I DO THINK THEY NEED TO BE SUPPORTED TO FACILITATE THIS PROCESS. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING AWARENESS TO THIS. NEW ZEALAND'S HAD A FEW FAMOUS ANIMALS IN ITS TIME, SO FOR OUR DAILY TRIP INTO THE TVNZ ARCHIVE, WE'RE REVISITING ONE OF THEM ` A MERINO SHEEP NAMED SHREK. HE MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES AFTER BEING FOUND ON THIS DAY IN 2004, AFTER SIX YEARS ON THE LAM AND DECIDEDLY UNSHORN AT BENDIGO STATION. HERE'S HOW WE COVERED THE NEWS THE NIGHT HE TURNED BACK UP AND AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, WHEN HE LOST HIS HEAVY FLEECE ON LIVE TELEVISION. WHEN BENDIGO STATION STAFF SET OUT ON THEIR AUTUMN MUSTER, THEY WEREN'T QUITE PREPARED FOR WHAT WOULD MEET THEM. I THOUGHT, MY GOD, WHAT IS IT? I COULD SEE IT WAS A SHEEP OF SOME FORM, BUT IT WASN'T TILL I GOT ROUND BEHIND IT I REALISED IT WAS A WOOLLY OF SOME NOTE. HIDING WITHIN THIS MAMMOTH FLEECE IS A 9-YEAR-OLD WETHER. HE'S EVADED MUSTERERS FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HIDING AMONGST ROCKY OUTCROPS UP IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SPELLBOUND. I MEAN, JUST LOOK AT HIM. HE'S MAGNIFICENT. I ACTUALLY SWORE FOR A START OFF AND COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS A SHEEP. THE HERMIT MERINO BOASTS A 38cm STAPLE, AND HIS OWNERS AMAZED HE'S LASTED SO LONG UNDER HIS BURDEN. AND THROUGH ALL SORTS OF EXTREME WINTERS, WITH HIS FEET OF SNOW AND HOT SUMMERS, AND HE'S CONTINUED TO GROW A FIBRE, WHICH IS VERY STRONG RIGHT THROUGH. THAT MONSTER FLEECE HAS EARNED HIM A TELLING NICKNAME. SOMEBODY GOES, 'OH, WHAT SHALL WE NAME IT?' SO I JUST YELLED OUT SHREK COS IT LOOKED LIKE AN OGRE. NORMALLY, WETHERS ARE SENT TO THE WORKS AFTER FIVE OR SIX YEARS. BUT SHREK'S CELEBRITY STATUS HAS EARNED HIM A HAPPY RETIREMENT. BUT HE REALLY HAS TO BE RELIEVED OF THE WOOL HE'S CARRYING. SO WE'LL PUT A COVER ON HIM AND MAKE SURE THAT HE'S WELL LOOKED AFTER. AND I GUESS HE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL PADDOCK HERE AT BENDIGO FOR QUITE SOME TIME TO COME. THERE'S ABOUT 27kg OF WOOL IN HERE. THAT'S 22kg MORE THAN YOUR AVERAGE FLEECE. THERE WAS LITTLE CHANCE OF A BACKDOWN DOWN ON THIS ONE. THIS IS MY MATE. SHREK MAY HAVE EVADED MUSTERERS FOR SIX YEARS IN THIS RUGGED CENTRAL OTAGO COUNTRY, BUT WITH THE CAMERAS ROLLING, HIS FLOWING LOCKS WERE FINALLY ABOUT TO GET THE CHOP. NORMALLY WE SEE THESE SORT OF SHEEP EVERY 12 MONTHS, AND WE GOT ONE HERE WITH SIX YEARS OF WOOL ON IT. AND AS PETER SAID, THE SHIELD UP THE FRONT HERE, THAT'S ALMOST LIKE A BIT OF WOOD, LIKE A BIT OF BALSA WOOD. IT'S GONNA TAKE SOME OPENING UP. LOOKING EQUALLY WOOZY AS HE WAS WOOLLY... (LAUGHTER) ...SHREK ROLLED OVER FOR THE CLIPPING TO BEGIN. VERY SOFT. HAND SHEARING OPTED IN PREFERENCE TO MACHINE. I THINK THERE'S MUCH LESS STRESS ON THE SHEEP, ON SHREK, AND PETER'S DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB THERE, LEAVING ON A VERY NICE THICK COAT OF FINE MERINO WOOL. OF COURSE, FOR A COUNTRY KNOWN FOR ITS SHEEP AND ITS JOKES, IT WAS NO SURPRISE THE WORLD'S MEDIA WOULD ALSO WANT A PIECE OF THE ACTION. IN NEW ZEALAND, THERE'S A SHEEP THAT JUST COULDN'T BE SHORN BECAUSE IT COULDN'T BE FOUND FOR SIX YEARS. NOW ALL OF NEW ZEALAND IS CAPTIVATED AND SO ARE WE, BY THIS STORY., AFTER ALMOST 30 MINUTES, SHREK WAS DENUDED. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE A NAKED SHREK. (APPLAUSE) THERE WE HAVE HIM. HIS PRECIOUS MERINO WOOL WEIGHING IN AT AN IMPRESSIVE 20.7kg. BEN TURNQUIST, 1 NEWS. WE HAVE A BONUS EDITION FROM THE TVNZ ARCHIVE THIS MORNING. TODAY WE'RE FAREWELLING OUR BOSS ` BREAKFAST'S EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CAROL HIRSCHFELD. SHE'S DONE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THERE IS TO DO IN THE NEWSROOM IN FRONT AND BEHIND THE CAMERA. HERE IS YOUNG NEWS REPORTER REPORTER CAROL HIRSCHFELD IN 1987, WITH THE WONDERS OF MICROWAVE COOKING. THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT WHIPPING UP A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS TREAT IN THE YEAR 2000 WILL STILL COST A PRETTY PENNY OR TWO, BUT IT SHOULD BE A LOT LESS TIME-CONSUMING, SAYS AUSTRALIAN HOME ECONOMIST JOAN MCDERMOTT. SHE BELIEVES HIGH-TECH PACKAGING AND SOPHISTICATED MICROWAVES WILL MAKE IT ALL A PIECE OF CAKE. THE PACKAGING IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR MANUFACTURERS OF FOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DESIGN THE PACKAGED FOOD TO CONTAIN THE SPECIFIC FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE IN IT. A TRAINED PSYCHOLOGIST BY TRADE, JOAN MCDERMOTT ENTERED THE FOOD TECHNOLOGY FIELD AFTER WRITING A THESIS ON FRUSTRATIONS IN THE HOME. OVENS OF THE FUTURE SHOULD REMOVE THAT STRESS. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WHAT THEY CALL 'MENU MICROWAVES', WHERE YOU JUST PUT A RECIPE CARD INTO THE MICROWAVE OVEN. IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT INGREDIENTS TO PLACE IN THERE AND HOW TO MIX IT, AND THE MICROWAVE OVEN WILL TAKE OVER AND COOK THAT MEAL COMPLETELY FOR YOU. SHE SAYS KIWIS HAVE ADAPTED WELL TO MICROWAVES. KIWIS REALLY HAVE QUITE A SENSIBLE APPROACH TO MICROWAVE COOKING. THEY'RE PREPARED, AND THEY REALISE THEY MUST LEARN HOW TO USE IT. WHEREAS COMPARED IN AUSTRALIA, PEOPLE BUY A MICROWAVE, THEY NEVER EVER LEARN HOW TO USE, AND IT JUST SITS THERE AND THEY DEFROST AND REHEAT IN IT. WHATEVER WE'LL BE EATING OR COOKING IN THE FUTURE, THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING WILL ALWAYS STAY THE SAME. THANKS. MMM. (LAUGHS) I DON'T THINK SHE WAS A HUGE FAN. SHE HAS EXCELLENT TASTE. SHE MADE US LOCATE THE OTHER DAY. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. GO WELL. WE ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT YOU ARE STAYING HERE, BUT YOU ARE CLASSED PERSONIFIED. AND WE HAVE LOVED HAVING YOU AS OUR BOSS. ALL I CAN SAY IS A FEARLESS LEADER AND A PHENOMENAL WOMAN. AND WE ARE GOING TO SO MISSING HERE ON BREAKFAST. BUT AS CHRIS JUST SAID, LEAST WE KNOW WE CAN GRAB YOU IN THE BUILDING IF WE NEED YOU. AND WELL SUITED TO THE OPERATIONS ROLE, WITH THE COMMAND OF THE OTHER END OF THE FUTURE ` THE MICROWAVE. ALTHOUGH I SAW SOME TINFOIL GOING ON THERE. YES, I WAS GOING, DID SHE JUST PUT TINFOIL ON THERE? THANK YOU, CAROL. WE WILL SEE YOU AROUND. E WHAI AKE NEI ` EASTER'S COMING. AND SO IS THE CHOCOLATE. BUT WHAT IF IT DIDN'T HAVE TO COME WITH GUILT? # HEY NOW, YOU'RE AN ALL-STAR. # GET YOUR GAME ON. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. ISRAEL'S DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN GAZA EVEN AFTER THE WAR ENDS. IT'S ALSO REFUSING TO WITHDRAW FROM OCCUPIED AREAS IN LEBANON AND SYRIA. A NEIGHBOURHOOD IN VANCOUVER IS LEADING THE WAY INTO THE FUTURE BY USING HEAT FROM SEWAGE WASTEWATER TO POWER THEIR HOMES. AND BLACK FERN PATRICIA MALIEPO SAYS THE TIMING WAS RIGHT FOR HER SWITCH TO LEAGUE AFTER SIGNING WITH THE WARRIORS FOR THE UPCOMING NRLW SEASON. RIGHT. TOMORROW... SHORTLY. HERE WE GO. TOMORROW MARKS THE START OF THE EASTER BREAK. FOR SOME, THAT MEANS FOUR DAYS OFF WORK. FOR OTHERS, IT MEANS A CELEBRATION OF JESUS. AND FOR MANY KIDS, IT MEANS LOTS AND LOTS OF CHOCOLATE. BUT THE HOLIDAY ITSELF HAS A LONG HISTORY SPANNING SEVERAL DIFFERENT CULTURES AND MIXING TOGETHER A RANGE OF TRADITIONS. JACOB JOHNSON HAS MORE. ON SUNDAY A BUNNY CARRYING A BASKET WILL DELIVER CHOCOLATE EGGS TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS NEW ZEALAND TO MARK THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. WHILE THIS SEEMINGLY BIZARRE TRADITION IS PART OF THE CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY, THE ORIGINS OF EASTER ARE VARIED. SO LET'S BREAK IT DOWN. HELLO. FIRST OF ALL, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THE DATE OFTEN CHANGES. THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S CALCULATED USING THE LUNAR CALENDAR, WHICH IS BASED ON CYCLES OF THE MOON. THE RULE IS IT'LL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE FIRST FULL MOON THAT FOLLOWS THE SPRING EQUINOX ` OR PUT SIMPLY, ANY TIME BETWEEN LATE MARCH AND LATE APRIL. (CHORAL MUSIC) CHRISTIAN OR NOT, IT'S A TIME OF CELEBRATION FOR MANY. IT OFTEN OVERLAPS WITH THE JEWISH CELEBRATION OF PASSOVER, INCLUDING THIS YEAR, AND MANY OF THE EASTER SYMBOLS WE KNOW AND LOVE ` FROM THE BUNNIES TO THE BASKETS ` ARE IN FACT PAGAN IN ORIGIN. THEY CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE 13th CENTURY IN PRE-CHRISTIAN GERMANY, WHEN PEOPLE WORSHIP SEVERAL DEITIES, INCLUDING EOSTRE ` BELIEVED TO BE THE NAMESAKE FOR THE HOLIDAY, AND THE GODDESS OF SPRING AND FERTILITY, WHOSE SYMBOL WAS THE RABBIT BECAUSE OF ITS HIGH REPRODUCTION RATE. AND THEN THERE'S THE CHOCOLATE EGGS. OLD CATHOLIC TRADITIONS IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE PREVENTED THE EATING OF EGGS DURING LENT, THE 40 DAY RUN-UP TO EASTER, WHICH MEANT THEY WERE CONSIDERED HOLY, HENCE THE DECORATING, AND THEY BECAME A TREAT WHEN EASTER FINALLY ARRIVED. THE CHOCOLATE CAME MUCH LATER ` FIRST COMMERCIALISED AS EASTER EGGS IN THE 19th CENTURY, MIXING THE EGG EATING TRADITION WITH A TASTY INDULGENCE. MANY OF US ARE EYEING UP THE CHOCOLATE AISLE WITH A MIX OF EXCITEMENT AND MAYBE A BIT OF GUILT. BUT IS CHOCOLATE REALLY THAT BAD FOR US? JOINING US IN STUDIO IS NUTRITIONIST NIKKI HART TO HELP SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION. GOOD MORNING. LOVELY TO HAVE YOU IN THE STUDIO. CAN CHOCOLATE BE HEALTHY IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM? REALLY DARK CHOCOLATE. NOT JUST THE PRETEND DARK CHOCOLATE. AT LEAST 70%. IT HAS GOT THESE THINGS IN IT CALLED FLAVONOIDS. WE THROW THE TERM ANTIOXIDANT AROUND A LOT. THAT IS MORE PART OF THE FREE RADICALS THAT WE PRODUCE WITH STRESS. THAT IS WHY WE REPORTED AS BEING GOOD FOR YOUR HEART, BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR YOU IN MODERATION. CAN WE FIND THESE IN MILK OR WHITE CHOCOLATE? NO, THEY DO NOT EXIST IN THAT. OVER EASTER, KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO WANT THE DARK CHOCOLATE. THEY WILL WANT THE MILK CHOCOLATE. THERE ARE NO HEALTH BENEFITS IN THAT. THAT IS THAT, THEN. WHAT OTHER SPECIFIC INGREDIENTS OF TYPES OF CHOCOLATE THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR? ALL CHOCOLATE IS REALLY HIGH IN SATURATED FAT AND SUGAR. THAT IS WHY IT TASTES SO NICE. BUT AS THE COCOA SOLIDS GET HIGHER AND HIGHER, AND THE DARKER ONES, IT IS BETTER. YOU CANNOT EAT AS MUCH OF IT, BECAUSE YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU GO, I DO NOT WANT ANY MORE. THE MILK CHOCOLATE HAS A LOVELY MOUTH FEEL, AND YOU CAN KEEP SCOFFING IT. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MYTHS THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT CHOCOLATE AND SUGARY TREATS LIKE THESE? THE BIGGEST THING IS YOU SHOULD NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT CELEBRATING WITH FOOD. IT IS LIKE A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY AND CHOCOLATE AT EASTER. BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SAY IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE IT OVER EASTER, MAKE SURE YOU DO SOME EXERCISE. I KNOW IT IS HARD BECAUSE OF THE BIG STORM THAT IS HERE AT THE MOMENT, BUT DO EASTER EGG HUNTS WITH THE KIDS. WE GO OUT AND HIDE ALL OF THE EGGS AND MAKE THEM FORAGE FOR THEM. SOMETIMES THEY DID NOT FIND THEM ALL, AND THAT IS NOT A BAD THING. WITHOUT BEING THE FUN POLICE, HOW DO WE APPROACH EASTER WITH KIDS WITH LETTING THEM CELEBRATE AND HAVE SOME CHOCOLATE BUT NOT LET THEM GET MASSIVE SUGAR HIGHS AFTERWARDS? A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU CAN DO. IF YOU COUPLE IT AROUND OTHER FOOD, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET A LEVEL OF SATIATION. THEY WILL NOT GET THOSE BIG SPIKES. PUT IT WITH FOOD, SO NOT JUST AS I THINK THAT THEY CAN FORAGE AND EAT ALL DAY. PUT IT AROUND BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER, AND THEN THEY WILL NOT GET THE BIG SPIKES. WHAT I AM HEARING IS THAT YOU ARE PUTTING AN APPLE WITH THE EASTER EGG IN THE HUNT. I AM LIKE THE EASTER GRINCH. IT IS HARD TO MANAGE, THOUGH, RIGHT? YOU CAN SAY NO EGGS. OR HERE IS AN APPLE. EAT THAT WITH YOUR EASTER EGG, AND YOU CAN HAVE THE CHOCOLATE. OR AS MISS PIGGY SAID, NEVER EAT ANYTHING BIGGER THAN YOUR HEAD. ALWAYS GOOD ADVICE. WE LOVE HAVING YOU IN THE STUDIO. FLAVONOIDS. I LIKE THAT WORD. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 8.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS ` KELLY TARLTON'S IS CELEBRATING A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY. LUCY BENDELL IS THERE. MORENA, LUCE. THAT IS RIGHT. WE ARE UNDERNEATH THE SEA TODAY, AS WE CELEBRATE THE 40TH BIRTHDAY. WE'LL BE CHECKING OUT THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE TO KEEP YOU AND THE KIDS OUT OF THE WET WEATHER THESE HOLIDAYS. (UPBEAT MUSIC) WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. NORTHLAND POLICE SAY DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION TOWERS HAS AFFECTED CALLS TO EMERGENCY SERVICES. IT COMES AFTER STRONG WINDS FROM EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE TAM LASHED THE REGION OVERNIGHT. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PROPERTIES ARE WITHOUT POWER ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND AS MORE REPORTS COME THROUGH OF TREES DOWN ON ROADS AND POWER LINES. OVER IN KAIKOHEKOHE TODAY THIS MORNING, ALARMS WERE GOING OFF, FIRE BRIGADES WOULD GOING TO CRASHES. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, WHANAU. STAY HOME AND WATCH TV IF YOU CAN. IF YOU'VE GOT POWER. WIND GUSTS OF MORE THAN 100KM/H WERE RECORDED OVERNIGHT AND HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED UNTIL LATER TONIGHT. INTERISLANDER FERRY PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS ARE IN LINE FOR COMPENSATION. KIWIRAIL HAS MADE LEGALLY BINDING COMMITMENTS TO THE COMMERCE COMMISSION TO TREAT DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAULTS, AS WITHIN ITS CONTROL, FOLLOWING A SERIES OF BREAKDOWNS IN 2023. AT THE TIME, THE BUSINESS DENIED REFUND REQUESTS FROM AFFECTED CUSTOMERS, SAYING IT WASN'T LIABLE, AND IN DOING SO WAS LIKELY TO HAVE MISLED CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS. KIWIRAIL HAS NOW CHANGED ITS PROCESS AND WILL RE-EVALUATE PREVIOUS CLAIMS. AND AS MOTORISTS FACE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE CYCLONE. YOUNG DRIVERS ARE BEING URGED TO 'GHOST THEIR MATES' IN A BID TO AVOID PHONE DISTRACTIONS AHEAD OF A DOUBLE LONG WEEKEND. NEARLY 40% OF NEW ZEALANDERS ADMITTED TO SENDING OR READING TEXTS WHILE IN THE CAR, WHILE A FIFTH REPORTED CHECKING OR REPLYING TO SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES, ACCORDING TO NZTA RESEARCH. POLICE SAY EVEN HANDS-FREE DEVICES CAN BE A DISTRACTION. A MOMENT'S INATTENTION CAN LEAD TO TRAGEDY. SOMEONE CAN GO OUT IN FRONT OF YOU ACROSS THE CENTRELINE. IT GIVES YOU LESS TIME TO REACT SAFELY. EVERYONE NEEDS TO DRIVE IN A MANNER AND SPEED TO RESPOND SAFELY TO THE UNEXPECTED. LAST YEAR'S EASTER ROAD TOLL WAS SEVEN. THE UK SUPREME COURT HAS RULED THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A WOMAN IS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AND EXCLUDES TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. IT FOLLOWS A LONG-RUNNING LEGAL BATTLE OVER THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INCLUDING TRANS WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR GENDER QUOTAS. JUDGES HAVE NOW RULED LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN. UNDER THE UK'S EQUALITY ACT, ONLY APPLY TO THOSE BORN FEMALE. IT MEANS TRANS WOMEN CAN BE EXCLUDED FROM SINGLE-SEX SPACES LIKE CHANGING ROOMS. THE COURT ADDED THE ACT STILL PROVIDES LEGAL PROTECTION FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. AND IN THE U.S. COURTS, A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS FOUND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD BE HELD IN CRIMINAL CONTEMPT FOR WILFULLY DISREGARDING AN ORDER TO HALT DEPORTATION FLIGHTS. LAST MONTH HUNDREDS OF VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS WERE DEPORTED UNDER AN 18TH CENTURY LAW DESPITE A COURT ORDER TO STOP THE FLIGHTS. THE JUDGE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT LATER RULING THAT THE LAW COULD BE USED FOR THE DEPORTATIONS DOESN'T EXCUSE THE VIOLATION OF THE COURT ORDER. CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS COULD BE AVOIDED IF AN EXPLANATION IS PROVIDED. TO SPORT, AND BLACK FERN PATRICIA MALIEPO SAYS THE TIMING WAS RIGHT FOR HER SWITCH TO LEAGUE AFTER SIGNING WITH THE WARRIORS FOR THE UPCOMING NRLW SEASON. THE BLUES FIRST FIVE JOINS SEVERAL OTHER UNION PLAYERS ON THE SQUAD, INCLUDING BLACK FERNS SPEEDSTER MICHAELA BRAKE. MALIEPO SAYS SHE DIDN'T EXPECT TO MAKE THE SWITCH SO EARLY IN HER CAREER BUT A CALL FROM COACH RON GRIFFITHS MADE HER REALISE THE TIME WAS RIGHT. THE WARRIORS HAVE JUST ONE MORE SPOT TO FILL IN THEIR SQUAD FOR THEIR RETURN TO THE NRLW. UP THE WAHS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING. STARTING OFF WITH SOME WARNINGS ` THERE IS AN ORANGE HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WIND WARNING IN PLACE FOR NORTHLAND UNTIL 8pm TONIGHT AND FOR AUCKLAND AND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, AND A ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING IN PLACE FROM THIS MORNING FOR THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA, BAY OF PLENTY, TAIRAWHITI AND THE TASMAN DISTRICT. IT'S LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER DREARY DAY. GREY SKIES AND SCATTERED RAIN FOR MOST OF YOU HERE. HEAVY RAIN WITH STRONG GALES FOR THE NORTH. FOR THOSE FURTHER DOWN, YOU CAN EXPECT RAIN TO DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON. 19 THE HIGH IN GISBORNE. 18 IN WELLINGTON. A BIT OF A SIMILAR STORY FOR THE SOUTH. PARTY CLOUDY FOR MOST, WITH SCATTERED RAIN AND PATCHY DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 21 THE HIGH IN GREYMOUTH. 15 IN QUEENSTOWN. TURTLES, SHARKS, RAYS ` YOU CAN SEE THEM ALL AT KELLY TARLTON'S AQUARIUM, WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS 40 YEARS THIS YEAR. JUST IN TIME FOR THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, YOU CAN COME AND SEE THE ON-SITE TURTLE HOSPITAL, GETTING THE LITTLE CREATURES READY TO RETURN TO THE SEA. LUCY BENDELL IS THERE. MORENA, LUCY. KIA ORA. MORENA, TEAM. I AM VERY EXCITED. WE HAVE ARRIVED JUST IN TIME FOR BREAKFAST FEEDING HERE. THE TURTLES ARE BEING FED SQUID THIS MORNING. NOT MY CUP OF TEA. IT IS PERFECT TIMING TO BE HERE WITH THE WET WEATHER OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE GENERAL MANAGER WHAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND US? WE ARE DOING A FEED BEHIND US. THIS IS AN EASTERN PACIFIC GREEN FOUND ON A BEACH NEARLY 2 YEARS AGO THAT CAME IN WITH A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS. SHE HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE. SHE HAS BEEN GETTING VERY CLOSE TO HER RELEASE NOW. SHE WILL BE READY FOR RELEASE OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. WE WILL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT A RESCUE TITLE GOES TO IN A BIT OF AN ACTIVITY THAT KIDS CAN DO IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. BUT FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE 40TH BIRTHDAY. WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST FOUR DECADES? A LOT. WHEN THE AQUARIUM WAS BUILT, MANY PEOPLE MIGHT REMEMBER THAT IT WAS A DISUSED SEWAGE SYSTEM. FOR KELLY TO THINK TO TURN IT INTO AN AQUARIUM IS AN AMAZING FEAT. KELLY UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY TWO MONTHS AFTER IT OPENED. BUT HE IS STILL PART OF THE TEAM. SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DOING HERE IS THE RESCUE TURTLES BEHIND US. TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT PROCESS AND THEIR MOBILE CHECKOUT AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE. THE FIRST TURTLE THAT CAME INTO OUR CARE WAS IN 1988. IT HAS BEEN A LARGE PART OF WHAT WE DO FOR A LONG TIME. WE DO IT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IWI AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN AUCKLAND ZOO AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION. OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE HAD MORE TOTALS COME INTO OUR CARE THAN EVER BEFORE. WE HAD 15 TURTLES AT ONE TIME. OVER THE LAST FIVE WEEKS, WE HAVE RELEASED FIVE OF THEM INTO THE WILD. IT IS SUCH A HEARTWARMING MOMENT FOR US TO SEE ALL OF THE EFFORT THAT OUR TEAM PUTS INTO ULTIMATELY SEE THESE ANIMALS GO BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG. WE WERE HERE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY TITLES. I GUESS IN SOME CASES IT IS SAID THAT THEY HAVE TO COME HERE, BUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO GET THEM BACK INTO THE OCEAN IS AMAZING. KIDS OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS CAN DO AN INTERACTION OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS TO SEE WHAT YOU DO. I'M GOING TO SCAN ONE OF THESE TOTALS. SURE THING. THIS IS TOTAL RESCUE. IT IS AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS. WE WANT TO SHOW THEM A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE REHABILITATION JOURNEY. AT THE FIRST STATION WE ARE GIVING THE ANIMAL A QUICK X-RAY. IT IS TELLING US THAT IT HAS AN INJURY HERE AND NEEDS A BIT OF TREATMENT. WE CAN GIVE IT SOME MEDICINE, GET BACK ON ITS WAY TO RECOVERY. AS WE STEPPED OVER TO THE NEXT STATION HERE, WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WEIGHING THE TOTAL. A LOT OF THE TURTLES THAT COME INTO OUR CARE MIGHT BE SUFFERING FROM PNEUMONIA OR BE REALLY UNDERWEIGHT. WE HAVE TO CAREFULLY MEASURE HOW THEY ARE TRACKING IN THE REHABILITATION PROCESS AND GET THEM NICE AND STRONG AND FIT AND HEALTHY. ON THIS NEXT STATION, WE ARE FEELING THE ANIMALS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE NICE AND STRONG AS I MENTIONED AND FIT AND READY FOR RELEASE. AND THEN AS WE COME DOWN TO THE TAGGING STATION, AT THIS POINT, THE ANIMALS ARE READY FOR RELEASE AND WE ARE READY TO SEND THEM ON THEIR WAY. WE CAN APPLY A SATELLITE TAG TO THEM WHICH WILL GIVE US SOME REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THEY GO ONCE THEY ARE BACK IN THE WILD. FINALLY, WE GET TO SEND THEM OFF ON THEIR WAY. FANTASTIC. YOU GET TO GO TO THE WHOLE ENTIRE PROCESS UNTIL THE TURTLES ARE RELEASED. AND ALSO INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE HERE. IF YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE WILD WEATHER OUTSIDE, COME UNDERNEATH AND COME AND CHECK OUT ALL OF THE COOL EXPERIENCES THAT YOU HAVE HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DANIEL. CONGRATULATIONS CELEBRATING THE 40TH BIRTHDAY. VERY COOL. I HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, BUT I KNOW THAT THE BOYS ENJOY IT. IT IS THE CORE PLACE. YOU CAN SET THEREFORE HOURS. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WILL BE VERY BUSY. E WHAI AKE NEI ` IF YOU'RE A FAN OF THE SHOW 'EUPHORIA' OR THE 2023 THRILLER 'SALT BURN', YOU MAY WANT TO STICK AROUND. GIVE ME SOAP. GIVE ME WATER, AND I'LL CLEAN THEM MYSELF, BUT DO NOT SEND THESE MEN TO THEIR DEATH. I AM NOT. YOU HAVE TO SAY IT. WE CATCH UP WITH JACOB ELORDI FOR HIS LATEST WAR-TIME DRAMA. WE CATCH UP WITH JACOB ELORDI FOR HIS LATEST WAR-TIME DRAMA. (POP MUSIC) VOICEOVER: Get your free Consumers's Guide to Hearing Aids. New Zealand's only independent guide to all the latest models. Choose the right hearing aid for your lifestyle and budget. Call 0800 45 45 42 for your free copy. # NICE TO MEET YOU. WHAT IS YOUR NAME? # LET ME TREAT YOU TO A DREAM. HERE'S WHAT'S MAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. LIQUID GOLD ` THAT'S WHAT NEONATAL STAFF ARE WANTING. THEY'RE CALLING FOR MORE BREASTMILK BANK SERVICES IN HOSPITALS, ESPECIALLY FOR NICUs AS THERE'S CURRENTLY ONLY FOUR IN HEALTH FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. A PATIENT ADVOCATE WHO'S BEEN TRAVELLING AROUND THE NORTH ISLAND HEARING STORIES FROM HEALTH STAFF SAYS THE SYSTEM IS IN A STATE OF 'COLLAPSE'. AND NORTHLAND POLICE SAY OVERNIGHT CYCLONE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION TOWERS IS AFFECTING MOBILE PHONE CALLS TO EMERGENCY SERVICES IN SOME AREAS. LANDLINES ARE STILL OPERATING. A NEW DRAMA DESCRIBED AS THE NEXT 'GALLIPOLI' IS SET TO HIT THE SCREENS THIS WEEK. 'THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH', STARRING AUSSIE ACTOR JACOB ELORDI, IS BASED ON A BOOKER PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL BY RICHARD FLANAGAN, TRACING THE TRUE STORY OF A GROUP OF AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR. OUR AUSTRALIAN CORRESPONDENT AZIZ AL-SA'AFIN SAT DOWN WITH CAST MEMBERS TO TALK ABOUT THE FILM. ARE YOU A GAMBLING MAN? OCCASIONALLY, YEAH. 10 SHILLINGS YOU MAKE IT THROUGH THE ENTIRE YEAR ALIVE. THE BRUTALITIES OF WAR, FORBIDDEN LOVE AND A RAILWAY BUILT ON THE BONES OF MEN. YOU ARE HERE TO BUILD A RAILWAY. 'THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH' FOLLOWS DORRIGO EVANS, A SURGEON CAPTURED BY THE JAPANESE AND FORCED WITH FELLOW AUSSIE SOLDIERS TO BUILD THE THAI BURMA DEATH RAILWAY. THE STORY SWINGS BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT, EXPLORING LIFE AFTER SURVIVAL. DORRIGO ` WHAT A COMPLEX CHARACTER TO PLAY. YEAH, YEAH. NO, IT'S A REALLY` HE'S A REALLY INTERESTING FELLA. HE'S GOT, LIKE, A GREAT DUALITY TO HIM. IT'S ALSO A VERY AUSTRALIAN STORY, AND I'D IMAGINE IT'S REALLY NICE FOR YOU TO BE HERE AND PLAYING AN AUSSIE CHARACTER. IT'S THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY THAT YOU CAN COME HOME AND MAKE SOMETHING, SO THIS REALLY IS THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO AND THE BEST WAY TO COME HOME. BEST KNOWN FOR STARRING IN 'SALT BURN' AND 'EUPHORIA', ELORDI LEADS A LARGELY LOCAL CAST THAT INCLUDES SIMON BAKER, OLIVIA DEJONGE, ODESSA YOUNG AND RISING STAR THOMAS WEATHERILL. I PLAY FRANK GARDNER, WHO'S A MACHINE GUNNER FROM TASMANIA WHO FINDS HIMSELF ENSLAVED AS A PRISONER OF WAR. YOUR CHARACTER IS MEMORABLE FOR SO MANY REASONS, WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE IT'S THE REPRESENTATION, THE COMEDY THAT HE PROVIDES OR JUST THOSE REALLY HORRIFIC MOMENTS. AND I FOUND MYSELF WANTING TO LOOK AWAY, AND I FORCED MYSELF TO WATCH. HE'S A GREAT CHARACTER WHEN IT COMES TO SORT OF REPRESENTATION OF AN INDIGENOUS MAN IN AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE, FULL STOP, BUT NOW ON SCREEN. SO IT WAS VERY PERSONALLY FULFILLING JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HE'S A FAVOURITE OF MINE. BUT THEN TO ACTUALLY SORT OF BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THAT WAS REALLY SPECIAL. MORE THAN 13,000 WWII ALLIED SOLDIERS DIED BUILDING THE RAILWAY, INCLUDING AT LEAST 13 NEW ZEALANDERS. THEIR NAMES NOW ETCHED INTO THAILAND'S KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, WHERE THEIR REMAINS WERE LAID TO REST. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL KIND OF EXPERIENCE BECAUSE YOU WENT TO THIS KIND OF PRIMAL PLACE, AND WE ALL WENT THERE TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME, SO WE HAD THIS CONNECTION THAT WAS... I CAN'T PUT WORDS TO IT OR EXPLAIN IT, BECAUSE IT WAS THIS SILENT THING THAT HAPPENED SORT OF BEHIND YOUR EYES. BEYOND THE TRENCHES, THIS IS ALSO A LOVE STORY BETWEEN DORRIGO, HIS WIFE, ELLA, AND A WOMAN CALLED AMY. SHE'S A FIRECRACKER. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SHE'S GONNA DO. SHE'S VERY OUTSPOKEN AT PROBABLY A TIME WHERE WOMEN PROBABLY WEREN'T ENCOURAGED TO BE LIKE THAT, SO I CAN IMAGINE FOR YOU, IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO PLAY A CHARACTER LIKE THAT. SHE'S A ROWDY` I DON'T THINK YOU GET TO SEE ROWDY WOMEN IN PERIOD DRAMAS A LOT. THERE'S ALSO AMY'S HUSBAND AND DORRIGO'S UNCLE KEITH, PLAYED BY AUSSIE LEGEND SIMON BAKER. HE'S A PUBLICAN IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AND HE IS SORT OF EMBROILED IN A LOVE STORY WITH ODESSA YOUNG'S CHARACTER THAT PLAYS MY WIFE, AMY MULVANEY, AND DORRIGO. YEAH. THIS IS SUSTAINING LOVE THAT THAT KIND OF CARRIES HIM THROUGH AND IN A WAY KIND OF TORTURES HIM. MEMORY IS THE ONLY TRUE JUSTICE. THE SERIES PREMIERES ON PRIME VIDEO TOMORROW. AZIZ AL-SA'AFIN, 1 NEWS, SYDNEY. E WHAI AKE NEI ` IT'S TIME TO GET INTO THE EASTER SPIRIT, BECAUSE ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST SHOWS IS BACK FOR THE LONG WEEKEND. CAMERON JOE IS THERE. MORENA, CAM. HAVE YOU FOUND THE EASTER BUNNY? MORENA, GUYS. YES, I CAN'T FIND THE EASTER BUNNY. I THINK THE HORSES MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT TO THRILLING FOR HIM. STICK AROUND. # CANDYMAN. IT IS AN ALL-WEATHER EVENT. WE WILL HAVE 12,000 M OF IN-STORE SPACE. THE ICE SKATING RINK, GAMING ZONES, A HUGE AMOUNT OF INDOOR ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS OUR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. TELL ME ` THE EASTER SHOW HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE ABOUT THE 1840S. IT STARTED AS AN AGRICULTURAL SHOW. HOW HAS IT EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS? IT IS A REAL ICONIC EVENT IN AUCKLAND. IT STARTED IN 1843. IT WAS AUCKLAND'S AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF FARM ANIMALS. THERE ARE SHEEPDOG. TRIALS. ALSO A LOT OF MODERN THINGS, WE HAVE A GAMING ZONE. WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ROOTS WITH THE FARM ANIMALS, BUT ALSO THERE IS A LOT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY. IT IS CLEARLY QUITE A BIG DEAL NOW THAT HAS BEEN ON FOR NEARLY 2 CENTURIES. PEOPLE ARE TRAVELLING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO COME AND SEE THIS. IT IS NEW ZEALAND'S OLDEST EVENT. PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. A LOT OF OUR AMUSEMENT AND ATTRACTION, THEY TRAVEL TO BE HERE. IT ALL HAPPENS AT EASTER EVERY YEAR. AND WE ARE HOPING THE WEATHER DIES DOWN A BIT OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OUTSIDE. THERE IS THE CARNIVAL. THERE IS THE ACTION ARENA. THE WEATHER FORECAST IS IMPROVING. CERTAINLY FINGERS CROSSED THAT IT CONTINUES OVER EASTER. I REALLY WANT TO TRY THIS OUT. LET'S HIT THE ROAD BEFORE I ASK A FEW MORE QUESTIONS. HERE WE GO. WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE A BIT MORE OF THE INDOOR SECTION. TELL ME A BIT ABOUT IT. THIS IS YOUR FIRST YEAR ORGANISING IT. WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE GET OUT OF THIS? WE HAVE MADE IT AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE. ALL OF THE FAMILIES CAN ENJOY IT. THERE ARE TWO DOLLAR ZONES. THERE ARE A LOT OF FREE ACTIVITIES, FREE GAMING ZONES, ALL OF THE FARM ANIMALS. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT TO CELEBRATE EASTER. WE HAVE THE EASTER COUNTS. A LOT OF EASTER TRADITIONS. THERE IS STUFF FOR THE ADULTS AS WELL. ABSOLUTELY. ALL OF THE RIDES ARE GEARED FOR YOUNG AND OLD. ADULTS WILL ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. ADULTS, A LOT OF US CAME AS KIDS, SO YOU GET TO RELIVE OUR CHILDHOODS AS WE COME HERE, AND IT HAS BEEN AROUND SO LONG. ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG AND OLD THROUGHOUT EASTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY. I THINK WE HAVE TO DO A FEW MORE LAPS. THIS IS PRETTY ENJOYABLE. THIS IS STILL GOING ON FOR THE REST OF THIS LONG WEEKEND. HOPEFULLY CLEARS UP A LITTLE BIT, AND WE CAN ENJOY THE OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS THAT ARE ON OFFER. IT IS LIKE YOU ARE IN AN EPISODE OF THE WIGGLES. WHAT IS MORE ENJOYABLE ` THIS LITTLE RIDE ALL THE PONY? I DON'T KNOW. THE PONY WAS PRETTY FUN. IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF. THAT IS THE EASTER SHOW. AND WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING FOR THIS EASTER, STAY SAFE, ENJOY, BUT REMEMBER THAT THE WORST OF THE WEATHER IS STILL YET TO COME IN FROM THE NORTH. OUR WEBSITE WILL HAVE ALL THE DETAILS. LOVELY TO HAVE YOUR COMPANY. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. AND LOVE YOU, CAROL. CAPTIONS BY COURTNEY SOLE, MAIA CARR HEKE, KRISTIN WILLIAMS AND JULIE TAYLOR. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2025