IT'S FRIDAY THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY. MORENA, THIS IS BREAKFAST SO LOVELY TO HAVE YOUR COMPANY THIS MORNING. MEASLES. WE ARE FACING A MASSIVE OUTBREAK IN NEW ZEALAND. OUR VACCINATION RATES HAVE PLUMMETED, THEY ARE THE WORST THEY'VE BEEN IN DECADES, AND IT'S NOT JUST CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND THE INTERNET TO BLAME. THIS WILL HAVE A REAL IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN WE CANNOT PROTECT, YOUNG BABIES. WE ARE GOING TO GO THIS MORNING AND TALK TO A RURAL HEALTHCARE WORKER, WHO ARE SEEING FIRSTHAND THE IMPACTS OF THE BRINK OF THE MEASLES OUTBREAK. I AM VERY EXCITED, IT'S THE FIRST OF ITS KIND HERE IN AUCKLAND, AS MOANA FESTIVAL. IT'S ALL ABOUT US CHASING THE LAST OF THE SUMMER SUN, AND THE CITY PUTTING ON THIS EVENT. MUSIC, FOOD, BOATS. AFTER 25 YEARS, TRUE BLISS IS COMING BACK. WE ARE ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING THE OCEAN. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN VIP ACCESS EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T START UNTIL 6 PM. KEEP ALL THE SEAFOOD. SPEAKING FOOD, TIPPING, IS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU DO, OR IS IT JUST SAYING A COMPLIMENT IS GOOD ENOUGH? HERE, WE ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT TIPPING, SO EFTPOS IS COMING TO THE PARTY TO HELP US OUT. AT THE MACHINE WILL ASK US IF WE WANT TO TIP. IT'S A BIT AWKWARD. DO YOU TIP? IF SO WHY, IF SO WHY NOT? THE FAMILY OF FA'ANANA EFESO COLLINS HAS EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THE MESSAGES OF LOVE, SUPPORT AND COMFORT FOLLOWING HIS SUDDEN DEATH. THE GREEN MP WAS PARTICIPATING IN A CHARITY EVENT IN AUCKLAND ON WEDNESDAY WHEN HE COLLAPSED AND DIED. HE IS BEING REMEMBERED BY THE SOUTH AUCKLAND AND PACIFIC COMMUNITY AS A VOICE FOR HIS PEOPLE. HIS FAMILY SAY DETAILS OF HIS FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE CONFIRMED SHORTLY. A TAUPO REMAINS AT LARGE AFTER AN INCIDENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THAT FORCED SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND A KINDERGARTEN INTO LOCKDOWN. SOME CORDONS REMAIN N PLACE IN THE HILLTOP AREA BUT THE SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN TODAY. DETAILS AROUND THE INCIDENT ARE UNCLEAR BUT POLCE SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN AND ARE APPEALING FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD. THEY BELIEVE HE'S OF NO RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE MOTHER OF A RUSSIAN ACTIVIST WHO SUDDENLY DIED IN PRISON RECENTLY SAYS SHE'S NOW BEEN SHOWN HIS BODY. ALEXEI NAVALNY'S MUM WAS BARRED FROM SEEING HIS REMAINS FOR DAYS. DESPITE REPEATED EFFORTS TO DO SO. SHE SAYS SHE SIGNED A DEATH CERTIFICATE NAVALNY SUPPORTERS SAY IT CLAIMS HE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES. ALEXEI NAVALNY'S WIDOW SAYS HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED BY RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT. HE WAS THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF VLADIMIR PUTIN. BRITAIN'S HITTING RUSSIA WITH FRESH SANCTIONS AND SENDING UKRAINE MORE WEAPONS ON THE EVE OF THE WAR'S SECOND ANNIVERSARY. THE MOVE COMES AMID WARNINGS FROM UKRAINE THAT IT'S RUNNING SHORT OF AMMO AND MANPOWER WITH A U.S MILITARY AID PACKAGE STALLED BY LAWMAKERS. OVERNIGHT UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT THANKED NEW ZEALAND FOR OUR LATEST CONTRIBUTION - $26 MILLION FOR SOLDIER TRAINING AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS. OUR GOVERNMENT SAYS IT'S ALSO WORKING ON NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA. TO AUSTRALIA NOW, AND DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES IN VICTORIA'S WEST HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EVACUATE AS A MONSTER FIRE RACES TOWARDS TOWNS. AT LEAST 1000 FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THE BLAZE, WITH SOARING TEMPERATURES AND STRONG WINDS MAKING IT WORSE. I'M HERE TO TELL COMMUNITIES THE FIRE SITUATION WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. THE BUSHFIRE IS JUST 60 KMs FROM WHERE A DEVASTATING BLAZE WIPED OUT HALF A TOWN AROUND A WEEK AGO. AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND OTHERS INJURED, AFTER A BOAT HIT A BRIDGE IN SOUTHERN CHINA. THE HUGE CONTAINER VESSEL SENDING A SECTION OF THE ROADWAY AND MULTIPLE VEHICLES CRASHING DOWN INTO THE RIVER. THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE ALSO CUT OFF WATER, AND ACCESS TO AN ISLAND WHERE 8000 PEOPLE LIVE. OFFICIALS BLAMING THE CRASH ON, QUOTE, 'IMPROPER OPERATION' BY THE CREW OF THE BOAT. TO SPORT, AND THE BLACKCAPS WILL WELCOME A FAMILIAR FACE BACK INTO THE TEAM AHEAD OF THE SECOND T20 AT EDEN PARK. PACE BOWLER TRENT BOULT IS LIKELY TO PLAY TONIGHT AFTER NOT SIGNING WITH NEW ZEALAND CRICKET AND TAKING HIS WHITE BALL TALENTS OVERSEES. BOULT SAYS HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING AT THE GARDEN OF EDEN. GOOD CROWD. THE CROWD FEELS LIKE IT'S ON TOP OF YOU OUT THERE AND AUSTRALIA HAVE BROUGHT A QUALITY SIDE. FROM WHAT WE SAW LAST NIGHT, THEY'VE BROUGHT A FULL-STRENGTH SETUP, AND, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THEY PERFORMED, IT'S NO WONDER THEY'RE A FAVOURITE AT THE WORLD CUP COMING UP IN A FEW MONTHS. BUT, UM, JUST ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE, TRY AND EMBRACE IT AND GO OUT AND GIVE IT A CRACK. THE LAST TIME TRENT BOULT PLAYED A T20 FOR THE BLACKCAPS WAS AGAINST PAKISTAN IN 2022. SMART GUMSHIELDS THAT RECORD THE FORCES INVOLVED IN COLLISION SPORTS ARE BEING USED IN THE SIX NATIONS RUGBY TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY'RE DESIGNED TO MAKE THE GAME SAFER, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM. THE BBC'S FELICITY KVESIC REPORTS. THE SMART GUM SHIELDS, OR INSTRUMENTED MOUTH GUARDS, CONTAIN A CHIP THAT MEASURES THE GRAVITATIONAL FORCES INVOLVED IN CONTACTS. WHEN A CONTACT OCCURS, THEY SEND A REAL TIME G-FORCE MEASUREMENT TO MEDICAL TEAMS AND MATCH OFFICIALS TO HELP DECIDE WHETHER A PLAYER NEEDS A CONCUSSION TEST. I WONDER IF IT'S A GUM SHIELD. RECENTLY, SCOTLAND'S GEORGE TURNER BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER IN THE MEN'S SIX NATIONS TO BE SUBSTITUTED AFTER SENSORS IN HIS MOUTHGUARD DETECTED A LARGE IMPACT. IN STUDIES, THE GUM SHIELDS MADE BY PREVENT BIOMETRICS MEASURED COLLISIONS FROM FIVE TO ABOVE 60 G. BUT ACADEMICS WANT MORE EXAMINATION OF THE HIGHER FORCE COLLISIONS. FORMER WALES INTERNATIONAL ALEX POPHAM WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY ONSET DEMENTIA AT THE AGE OF 40. HE'S PART OF A LEGAL CASE CHALLENGING THE GAME'S GOVERNING BODIES OVER WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT HEAD IMPACTS. THERE'S NO POINT KEEPING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND ON THESE ISSUES, RUGBY IS A CONTACT SPORT, BUT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE TRUE DATA, UM, OF WHAT IS HAPPENING. MANY AGREE THAT SMART GUM SHIELDS CAN SUPPORT PLAYER WELFARE, BUT IT'S THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM CAUSING MORE QUESTIONS THAN CLARITY. AND FINALLY ` A POTENTIAL SIGN OF WARMING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA. WITH BEIJING SET TO LOAN TWO PANDAS TO A ZOO IN CALIFORNIA, THE FIRST TIME IT'S DONE SO IN TWO DECADES. IT'S BEING SEEN AS A SIGN CHINA AND THE U.S. ARE TRYING TO REDUCE TENSIONS, AFTER THEIR PRESIDENTS MET IN CALIFORNIA LAST YEAR. CHINA LOANS PANDAS TO MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES, UNDER A PROGRAM OFTEN REFERRED TO AS 'PANDA DIPLOMACY'. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING, TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY. HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON. 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND AND WHITIANGA. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS PICKING UP WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. DON'T FORGET YOUR BROLLY. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 28 THE HIGH FOR HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST. PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEAK THROUGH HERE. SHOWERS IN TAUMARUNUI, REACHING A HIGH OF 23. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO BEAUTIFUL DAY - ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. HEADING SOUTH, MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY, TO BLUE SKIES. 21 THE HIGH FOR TIMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL TODAY. TO YOUR WEEKEND. IN THE NORTH ISLAND, IT'S A FINE DAY WITH HIGH CLOUD WITH SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. RAIN SPREADING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND HITTING THE WEST COAST, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. FOR YOUR SUNDAY, RAIN DEVELOPING IN THE NORTH ISLAND, HEAVY FOR AUCKLAND, AND TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, EARLY RAIN FOR BULLER AND NELSON. SHOWERS ELSEWHERE EASING. BAN ALL EXISTING VAPE STORES WITHIN 300 METRES OF SCHOOLS ` THAT'S THE MESSAGE FROM PARENTS IN THE HAWKE'S BAY TOWN OF HASTINGS. THEY'RE PART OF VAPE-FREE KIDS NZ, AND ARE PREPARING TO RALLY IN THE TOWN TOMORROW. IN SEPTEMBER A LAW CHANGE BANNED SPECIALISED VAPE STORES OPENING NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO EXISTING STORES. LOCAL ORGANISER AND HASTINGS FATHER SUKHDEEP SINGH JOINS US NOW. GOOD MORNING. YOU'VE GOT A FEW SUPPORTERS THERE WITH YOU. WHO IS BEHIND YOU? MY FAMILY. AND MY NEIGHBOURS AND MY FRIENDS. WE'VE BEEN UP EARLY SINCE THE MORNING. THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR THEIR PLACARDS, AND THEY ARE VERY EXCITED TO JOIN ME TOMORROW. AND GOES TO SHOW THE CONCERN THAT'S IN YOUR FAMILY AND OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND VAPING. TALK TO ME ABOUT THE SITUATIONS IN HASTINGS AND WHAT CONCERNS YOU HAVE FOR THE CHILDREN. LAST YEAR THERE WAS A STORE THAT OPENED RIGHT NEXT TO MY SON'S SCHOOL, AND I WAS QUITE SAD AND QUITE DISAPPOINTED, SO WE WENT TO THE SHOP OWNERS AND REQUESTED THEM IF THEY COULD WREAK A RELOCATE. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN AND WE DID A PROTEST THERE, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS ALLOWING TO HAVE THE STORES RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE SCHOOLS. IT'S NOT ONLY A HASTINGS ISSUE. I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY. I SAID IN MY INTRODUCTION THAT THOSE THAT ALREADY EXIST, THEY CAN LEGALLY BE THERE. IT IS NEW STORES THAT CANNOT OPEN WITHIN 300 M. WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE CHILDREN? YOU KNOW OR UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS AN ISSUE. WHEN I WALK IN THE STREETS, IT'S SO SAD TO SEE OUR YOUNG KIDS ARE SMOKING. IT'S BECOME AN FASHION THESE DAYS BETWEEN YOUNG KIDS. YOUNGER IS LIKE 10 OR 11 YEAR OLD KIDS YOU CAN SEE, THEY JUST THINK IT'S COOL. THEY HAVE GOING TO HAVE HUGE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING ISSUES MOVING FORWARD. IT'S AFFECTING THEIR STUDIES. I CAN SAY IT WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THEIR HEALTH, READING RECENT NEWS WE WILL HAVE A HUGE HEALTH CRISIS IN COMING YEARS. I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY KID SMOKING OR VAPING. THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE WHEN THEY ARE GOING AFTER SCHOOLS, NEXT DOOR DAIRIES, TO BUY LOLLIES ICE CREAM OR ANY OTHER ITEMS. I WENT WITH MY SON YESTERDAY TO GET AN ICE BLOCK, AND HAVING VAPING PRODUCTS IN FRONT OF THEM, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HELP IN ANYWAY. I'M REALLY SAD AND DISAPPOINTED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT BETWEEN HAVELOCK NORTH AND CLIVE, THERE ARE 15 SPECIALIST STORES, AND 78 OTHER STORES THAT SELL VAPES. HOW MUCH DOES EDUCATION INFORM? FROM MY POINT OF VIEW THERE IS NOTHING HAPPENING IN THE SPACE. THE RULES ARE JUST A JOKE BY THE GOVERNMENT. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE AWARENESS OF VAPING. AND NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL TYPE OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS AMONG KIDS, IF WE REALLY WANT TO TACKLE AN ISSUE, WHICH IS GROWING VERY FAST. LIKE YOU MENTIONED, PEOPLE IN HASTINGS, THERE ARE 93 PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS VAPING PRODUCTS, THAT IS A HUGE NUMBER FOR HASTINGS. I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN, THE VAPOUR SHOPS ARE JUST POPPING UP, AND THAT IS JUST NOT COOL. YOU TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE POLICIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE, WE WENT TO THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT, AND CASEY COSTELLO SAID THIS. 'I THINK THIS GROUP WILL FIND THAT THIS GOVERNMENT TO BAN DISPOSABLE VAPOURS AND THOSE ARE KEY AREAS THAT SHE IN PARTICULAR WANTS TO PROGRESS. SHE WANTS TO TAKE THE PROPOSALS TO CABINET. DOES THAT GIVE YOU HOPE? LAST YEAR, WHEN I DID A PROTEST, I HAVE HEARD FROM POLITICIANS, WE WILL DO SOMETHING. I WANT TO SEE THE ACTIONS, NOT JUST THE WORDS. WHEN I DID PROTEST LAST, NOTHING HAPPENED. I WANT TO KNOW, AS A FATHER WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. WILL THEY MOVED AWAY, THE STORES. WILL THEY BE RELOCATED. THANK YOU, AND ALSO THANK YOU TO YOUR SUPPORTERS AND YOUR WHANAU THAT GOT UP SUPER EARLY THIS MORNING. E WHAI AKE NEI, BOATING, FOOD, PERFORMANCES. DANIEL'S OUT CHECKING OUT THE LATEST SUMMER FESTIVAL TO REACH AUCKLAND'S WATERFRONT. AUCKLAND HAS A BRAND-NEW SUMMER FESTIVAL HOSTED IN WAITEMATA HARBOUR. MOANA IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING WHAT YOU CAN DO IN AND AROUND THE WATER, AND IS RUNNING FOR THE NEXT MONTH. WE'VE SENT OUT DANIEL TO CHECK IT OUT, AND HE'S REPORTING TO US FROM THE RUNA EDUCATION HUB. MORENA DANIEL. HAVE YOU GOT SOME SEAFOOD AND HAND YET? NOT YET. IT'S MAHI BEFORE WE GET TO THE FOOD. THE YOUNG ONES OR WAKING UP. THIS IS ALL ABOUT EDUCATION. THIS IS THE EDUCATION HUB. THESE ARE CONTAINERS WHICH YOU WILL SEE BEHIND ME, WITH THE FAIRY LIGHTS IN THE BACKGROUND, WHEN YOU OPEN UP THESE CONTAINERS THERE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE. YOU LEARN FROM THE PAST TO STEER TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. DEAN, GOOD MORNING. TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT? THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. WE ARE RUNNING AN EDUCATION HUB DURING THE FESTIVAL. WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR SOME TIME ALONGSIDE YACHTING NEW ZEALAND FOR THIS PROJECT, IT'S REALLY FANTASTIC TO BE CONNECTING, AND FURTHER PUSHING THE DIRECTION OF WHERE WE'RE HEADED AND USING VARIOUS TOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO MONITOR OCEAN HEALTH. IT'S ALL ABOUT DIGITAL? SCHOOLS AND CLUBS WILL GET THE TOOLS. THEY WILL WORK TOGETHER ON MONITORING ON WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE OCEAN. MORE IS STARTING TO TAKE ACTION ON MARINE ECOSYSTEM DEGRADATION AND TRYING TO TURN IT AROUND. I TALKED TO FLYNN EARLIER ON, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF WHAT YOU SAW ON THE SCREEN? I WAS VERY COOL AND I SAW LOTS AND LOTS OF FISH. I'M ENJOYING IT A LOT. IF WE COME FURTHER DOWN HERE, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK TO OUR NEXT GUEST GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I'M FROM YACHTING NEW ZEALAND. WHAT EDUCATION DO PEOPLE GET? THESE ARE TOOLS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO BRING TO YACHT CLUBS TO HELP MONITOR OCEAN HEALTH, THIS TOOL HERE IS OUR PLANKTON TOWING SETS, THERE ARE PLANKTON TOWS THAT WE CAN DRAG AROUND. WE CAN TAKE SAMPLES OUT OF THE WATER THAT IS COLLECTED, TAKE THAT, AND PUT IT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE TO MEASURE CHANGE OVER TIME. WHAT ARE WE SEEING? I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THERE IS DEGRADATION OUT THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AND OUR STUDENTS AND LOOKING AHEAD, TO MAKE A CHANGE. MAKE A BETTER. I CAN SEE AT SECOND MICROSCOPE, YOU'RE MISSING THE BUNSEN BURNERS, LIKE A SCIENCE CLASSROOM. IT'S PRETTY NEAT BECAUSE IT CAN TAKE THE OCEAN AND BRING IT TO LIFE THROUGH A MICROSCOPE. WHO ARE YOU HOPING TO ATTRACT TO THIS EDUCATION HUB? YOUNG AT HEART, EVERYONE COME AND HAVE A LOOK. IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LOOK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING UNDER OUR WATER AND LEARN MORE. WHAT IS ON THE SCREEN? I THINK YOU WOULD DEFINE THAT AS A CRITTER. IT'S FASCINATING, IT ALREADY GOT ME FASCINATED. THERE'S MORE. THERE'S QUICK COMING OVER THIS SIDE HERE. HANNAH PRIOR HAS BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY. HOW ARE WE WITH LOOKING AFTER OUR OCEANS? WE COULD BE BETTER. THAT CREATES HALF OUR OXYGEN, FOOD, RECREATION. IT'S IN BIG TROUBLE. BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU DO FACTORS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEDIMENTATION, POLLUTION, OVERFISHING, THE OCEAN IS HEADING TOWARDS A DANGER POINT. HERE IN THE GULF, IT'S REALLY EVIDENT TO SEE ALL OF THESE THINGS PLAYING UP. THE GOLF IS THE JEWEL OF AUCKLAND'S CROWN. IT'S THE SEABIRD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, WE HAVE THE MILKY WHITE SNAPPER, WE HAVE THE FUNCTIONAL EXTINCTION OF CRAYFISH, IT'S EASY FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE AND WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, BUT ENGAGE WITH HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THE AREA. THESE THINGS ARE REALLY GOOD WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME DOWN AND SEE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO RESTORE AND PROTECT IT. IF YOU ARE A TEACHER OUT THERE AND YOU JUST HEARD THESE PEOPLE SPEAK, START BOOKING YOUR SCHOOL TO COME DOWN HERE AND GET A HANDS-ON EDUCATION. IF YOU'RE YOUNG AT HEART LIKE ME, IN MY 20S WHY YOU LAUGHING? WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE IT? FOOD IS NEXT. IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR THESE OCCASION PIECE, THE FACT THAT YOU ARE YOUNG AT HEART. AT SUCH A BUZZ TO BE HERE AND ALSO ` YOU KNOW HOW YOU GO TO EVENTS AND YOU CAN'T TOUCH ANYTHING, THIS ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. THE CITY HAS PUT ON AN AMAZING EVENT. IF YOU ARE WAKING UP IN AUCKLAND, HAVE A NOSY. IT OFFICIALLY OPENS AT SIX, BUT VIP ACCESS, WE WILL SHOW YOU MORE THROUGHOUT THE SHOW. COFFEE IS COMING TOO. ME U TONU MAI, WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK WITH YOUR 6.30 NEWS. PLUS, UKRAINE IS ABOUT TO MARK TWO YEARS OF WAR. WE SPEAK TO A KIWI WHO'S AMID THE CONFLICT FOR THE LATEST. A FATHER IS CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO BAN ALL EXISTING VAPE STORES WITHIN 300 METRES OF SCHOOLS. A LAW CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER BANNED SPECIALISED VAPE STORES FROM OPENING NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT SUKHDEEP SINGH WANTS TO SEE THIS INCLUDE PRE-EXISTING STORES. HE'S BELIEVES NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE FOR THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. THERE WERE THESE ARE JUST A JOKE. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EDUCATION. SCHOOLS CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO SOME EXTENT BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL TYPE OF EDUCATION. SUKHDEEP SINGH HAS PLANNED A RALLY TOMORROW PROTESTING THE LACK OF ACTION. SCHOOLS IN TAUPO WILL OPEN AS USUAL TODAY AFTER SEVERAL WERE PUT INTO LOCKDOWN, YESTERDY AFTERNOON. DETAILS AROUND THE INCIDENT THAT PROMPTED THE LOCKDOWN IN THE HILLTOP AREA ARE UNCLEAR BUT POLICE SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN AND ARE APPEALING FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD. SOME CORDONS REMAIN IN PLACE. BUT POLICE BELIEVE HE'S OF NO RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE MOTHER OF DEAD RUSSIAN ACTIVIST ALEXEI NAVALNY SAYS SHE'S BEING BLACKMAILED OVER THE FUNERAL FOR HER SON. NAVALNY, THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, DIED SUDDENLY IN PRISON LAST WEEK. HIS MOTHER SAYS SHE'S NOW BEEN SHOWN HIS BODY AFTER BEING BARRED FROM DOING SO FOR DAYS. BUT MRS NAVALNY ALSO SAYS OFFICIALS THREATENED TO DO SOMETHING BAD TO HIS REMAINS IF SHE DIDN'T ALLOW A SECRET BURIAL. NAVALNY'S WIFE HAS INSISTED THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN KILLED HER HUSBAND. AGENCIES HAVE STOPPED DELIVERING AID TO NORTHERN GAZA BY LAND BECAUSE IT'S BECOME TOO DANGEROUS. INSTEAD, CRITICAL HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES ARE NOW BEING DROPPED FROM THE SKIES AS THE BBC'S QUENTIN SOMMERVILLE REPORTS. IT'S A FLIGHT NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED. 17,000FT DIRECTLY ABOVE GAZA. THE ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE GET THEIR OXYGEN READY BEFORE THE CARGO DOORS OPEN. THEIR PAYLOAD IS VITAL AID DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THE DROP ZONE BELOW - NORTHERN GAZA. SOME LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PARACHUTES AND GPS TRACKERS WHICH WILL DELIVER IT TO A TINY, CLEAR PATCH OF LAND BELOW THEM - SUPPLIES FOR A JORDANIAN RUN HOSPITAL. INSIDE THESE PALLETS, FUEL, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND RATION PACKS ALL PAID FOR BY THE UK. THE AREA BELOW ME HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A WASTELAND. THERE ARE STILL 300,000 PALESTINIANS REMAINING THERE. THE UN SAYS THE SITUATION IS TOO DANGEROUS ON THE GROUND, THOUGH AND CAN NO LONGER OFFER HELP. IT'S A SMALL DROP IN THE CHASM OF GAZA'S NEED, BUT THIS AID SENT INTO THE NIGHT SKY AT LEAST MANAGED TO GET THROUGH. IT LANDED RIGHT ON TARGET. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AUGUST, THE NUMBER OF JOB LISTINGS HAS INCREASED ` UP 1% MONTH ON MONTH. NEW DATA FROM RECRUITER 'SEEK' SHOWS ROLES IN RETAIL, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DROVE THE NUMBERS UP IN JANUARY. BUT COMPETITION REMAINS TIGHT, WITH APPLICATIONS RISING BY ANOTHER 6%. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM RECORDED THE LARGEST DECREASES IN LISTINGS. THE TALL BLACKS HAVE COMFORTABLY WON THEIR OPENING FIBA 2025 ASIA CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST CHINESE TAIPEI. THE TALL BLACKS HAD A DOMINANT FOURTH QUARTER LEADING BY JUST FIVE POINTS AT THE END OF THE THIRD. NEW ZEALAND GOING ON TO WIN THE MATCH 89-69. THEIR NEXT QUALIFYING MATCH IS IN NEW ZEALAND AGAINST HONG KONG, LIVE AND FREE ON TVNZ+. AND FINALLY, SYDNEY'S IN THE GRIP OF TAYLOR-MANIA WITH MUSIC SUPERSTAR TAYLOR SWIFT SET TO TAKE TO THE STAGE FOR THE FIRST OF HER FOUR SHOWS IN THE CITY TONIGHT. A LAST MINUTE RELEASE OF TICKETS SPARKING HUGE QUEUES OF DESPERATE SWIFTIES, WHILE THOUSANDS MORE LINED UP TO GET THEIR HANDS ON MERCHANDISE. FANS ALSO JETTING IN FOR THE FOUR NIGHT STAND. I CAME FROM THE PHILIPPINES. I THINK IT WAS EIGHT HOURS OF FLYING. I'M HERE FROM NEW ZEALAND AND HAVE COME TO SEE TAYLOR. SWIFT'S PARTNER, SUPER BOWL WINNING NFL PLAYER TRAVIS KELCE ALSO TOUCHED DOWN IN SYDNEY YESTERDAY, JOINING THE SINGER WHO'S HOLED UP IN THE $40,000 DOLLARS A NIGHT 'PRESIDENTIAL VILLA' AT THE CROWN TOWERS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY, HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON, 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND AND WHITIANGA. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS, WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. DON'T FORGET YOUR BROLLY. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 28 THE HIGH FOR HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH HERE. SHOWERS IN TAUMARUNUI, REACHING A HIGH OF 23. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. HEADING SOUTH ` MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY TO BLUE SKIES. 21 THE HIGH FR TIMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL TODAY. TO YOUR WEEKEND IN THE NORTH ISLAND, IT'S A FINE DAY WITH HIGH CLOUD WITH SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. RAIN SPREADING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND HITTING THE WEST COAST, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. FOR YOUR SUNDAY, RAIN DEVELOPING IN THE NORTH ISLAND. HEAVY FOR AUCKLAND, AND TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, EARLY RAIN FOR BULLER AND NELSON. SHOWERS ELSEWHERE EASING. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. A HOT TOPIC FOR 630 IN THE MORNING. IT HAS PROVOKED SOME STRONG REACTIONS FROM YOU. HAVE YOU BEEN INTO A RESTAURANT, GONE TO PAY USING EFTPOS, AN IT SAYS TIP, YES OR NO? IT'S A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE. I WAS IN A RESTAURANT WHERE THE HOSPITALITY WORKER PHYSICALLY TOOK A STEP AWAY AND FACED THE OTHER DIRECTION. HELEN SAYS HOW DO WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT AND NOT THE OWNERS POCKET? LEGALLY THERE IS NO DEFINITION AS TO WHETHER THE TIP BELONGS TO THE EMPLOYER OR THE EMPLOYEE. IN THE LAW, IT IS A GIFT, SO YOU HAVE TO SAY WHERE YOU WANT YOUR TIP TO GO. I SUSPECT WHEN YOU PUT YES IN THE MACHINE, IT IS GOING TO THE BUSINESS, NOT THE 17-YEAR-OLD WAITER OR WAITRESS WHO HAS JUST GIVEN YOU GREAT SERVICE. THAT PERSON MAY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO WHOEVER IS MANAGING AND EVEN THOUGH LEGALLY IT IS THERE IS IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW EACH RESTAURANT OPERATES. THEY TIP IN THE U.S BECAUSE THEIR HOURLY RATE IS LOW. SARAH SAYS IN AMERICA I SEE PEOPLE TIPPING $40. WHEN I LIVED THERE, I SAW A MACHINE ONCE THE OFFERED ME A 28% TIP OPTION. I WAS LIKE, NO I'M NOT PAYING 1/3 MORE JUST BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT STUFF TO THE TABLE. YOU ARE ONLY REWARDING EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. OR EXCEPTIONAL FOOD. YOU WOULD NEVER TIP THE CHEF WOULD YOU? I WOULD LIKE TO BUT I'VE NEVER DONE THAT. WHEN THEY SHOW YOU THE MACHINE, THEY EITHER DO THE LOOK AWAY OR THEY WILL LOOK AT YOU EXPECTANTLY. THE KEY IS YOU HAVE TO BE CONFIDENT AND SAY NO TIP. THAT IS THE KEY, BECAUSE YOU DO FEEL PRESSURE. IT'S BECAUSE IT'S RUDE TO SAY NO. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE AND I WONDER IF THE OPTION COULD BE NO THANK YOU OR NOT THIS TIME RATHER THAN JUST 'NO'. I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY WHO WORKS IN HOSPITALITY, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE TIP? ME U TONU MAI ` TWO YEARS OF WAR. UKRAINE'S CHILDREN HAVE FACED UNIMAGINABLE CHALLENGES. WE'RE LIVE IN KYIV WITH THE LATEST ON THE CONFLICT.. AND NEW ZEALAND'S ONGOING SUPPORT NEXT. WHEN RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE IN FEBRUARY 2022, SOME PREDICTED IT COULD TAKE AS LITTLE AS THREE DAYS FOR RUSSIAN FORCES TO CAPTURE THE CAPITAL, KYIV. BUT THIS WEEKEND WILL MARK TWO YEARS SINCE THE UKRAINE'S BORDERS WERE BREACHED, AND THE WAR THAT HAS RAGED SINCE SEEMS NO CLOSER TO ENDING. CIIVILIANS HAVE INEVITABLY BEEN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, AND IT'S UKRAINE'S CHILDREN THAT CONTINUE TO SUFFER. UNICEF IS ONE OF THE ORGANISATIONS THAT'S BEEN DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN AID SINCE THE WAR BEGAN. I'M JOINED NOW BY THE SPOKSEPERSON AND NEW ZEALANDER DAMIAN RANCE, WHO IS IN KYIV. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. TWO YEARS. ONE MONTH WAS BAD ENOUGH. WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT ON UKRAINE'S CHILDREN? AS YOU KNOW THE WAR HAS HAD A MASSIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN. CHILDREN WITNESS VIOLENCE NEARLY EVERY DAY. TWO THIRDS OF CHILDREN IN UKRAINE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED AT LEAST ONCE SINCE THE WAR STARTED TWO YEARS AGO. THEY HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR FRIENDS, THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR LOVED ONES. CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO ACCESS EDUCATION HAS BEEN SEVERELY COMPROMISED. SOME 50% OF CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO ACCESS ONLINE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION AND IN SOME FRONTLINE AREAS SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ENTIRELY CLOSED AND SOME SCHOOLS HAVE TO DO HALF ONLINE AND HALF IN-PERSON CLASSES, BECAUSE THOSE SCHOOLS CAN ONLY TAKE AS MANY CHILDREN AS CAN FIT IN THEIR BOMB SHELTER AT ANY ONE TIME. IT IS A PLACE WHERE EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OCCURS AND THEY CAN PLAY AND TALK WITH THEIR PEERS OUTSIDE THE HOUSEHOLD, SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. CHILDREN IN UKRAINE ARE LACKING A NORMAL CHILDHOOD AT THE MOMENT. PEOPLE SOMETIMES SAY, CHILDREN ARE VERY RESILIENT. BUT AFTER TWO YEARS, AND YOU CAN ONLY GO TO SCHOOL WITH OF THE NUMBER OF KIDS WHO CAN FIT INTO THE BOMB SHELTER WHAT ABILITY WILL BE CHILDREN HAVE TO AT ANY STAGE TO PROCESS WHAT THEY ARE LIVING THROUGH? IT HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH. WHAT I HEAR FROM CHILDREN IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY,� ONE OF THE THINGS THEY CONSTANTLY SAYS THEY ARE TIRED OF THE ISOLATION, OF BEING IN BOMB SHELTERS. THEY WANT TO BE WITH OTHER CHILDREN ACTING THEIR AGE AGAIN. CHILDREN IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY FACE OVER 5000 HOURS IN AIR RAID SHELTERS, THAT'S OVER SIX MONTHS. THAT TAKES AN ENORMOUS TOLL. WE ARE SEEING CHILDREN WITH NERVOUS TICS, SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL, NIGHTMARES, DEPRESSION. AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IS DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS OF IT. NEW ZEALAND HAS ANNOUNCED FURTHER AID PACKAGES, SOME OF THAT IS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. HOW FAR IS THAT FUNDING ABLE TO GO TOWARDS HELPING CHILDREN? UNICEF IS ON THE GROUND. LAST YEAR OVER 2.5 MILLION CHILDREN RECEIVED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, FROM ACCESS TO PSYCHOLOGISTS THROUGH TO CANINE THERAPY FOR CHILDREN. SOMETIMES ORDERS REQUIRED IS PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY WHERE THEY CAN LOSE THEIR SELVES FOR A FEW HOURS. I MENTIONED EDUCATION AS WELL, 1.3 MILLION CHILDREN LAST YEAR WERE RECEIVING UNICEF ASSISTED EDUCATION SERVICES. THAT COMES AFTER TWO YEARS OF COVERT AS WELL, SO FOR YEARS OF ONLINE SCHOOLING. I MET A CHILD IN UKRAINE WHO HAD NEVER BEEN IN PERSON TO SCHOOL BEFORE. WE HAVE BEEN REHABILITATING BOMB SHELTERS SO SCHOOLS CAN ACCOMMODATE GREATER NUMBERS OF STUDENTS. THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GENEROSITY OF NEW ZEALANDERS AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAVE HELPED. WHILE I HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY unicef.org IS RUNNING AN INITIATIVE TO HELP GET MORE FUNDING. A WORTHY PLEA AND I HOPE OUR VIEWERS HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ?*9 WS? ?LW: ... AD LIB? WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THE BREAK. TO TIP OR NOT TO TIP, THAT IS THE QUESTION. FOR MANY NEW ZEALANDERS IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN ON THEIR HORIZON, BUT A REPORTED ROLL OUT OF NEW EFTPOS MACHINES COULD CHANGE THAT. THESE UPGRADED MACHINES ASK THE CUSTOMER IF THEY WANT TO LEAVE A TIP OF UP TO 15%. FOR MORE ON WHETHER OUR TIPPING CULTURE'S CHANGING, WE'RE JOINED BY RESTAURATEUR MICHAEL DEARTH. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US. ARE OUR TIPPING HABITS CHANGING HERE IN NEW ZEALAND? YES, IT IS CHANGING. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, BECAUSE I'M THE EXPATRIATE AMERICAN. IT'S TOO MUCH IN AMERICA. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, SO WHEN I GO BACK I AM LIKE, I'M I GOT I HAVE TO TIP FOR THIS AND THIS AND THIS. LIVING HERE AND BEING A KIWI BY CHOICE AND WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY, I HAVE FOUND WHAT'S INTRIGUING, I HAVE BEEN GETTING FEEDBACK 22 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS WORKING IN A CAFE, THAT ACTUAL YOUNG KIWIS, AFTER BRINGING MANY DISHES, WINE THAT'S THOUGHTFULLY PAIRED, THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED AT THE END THAT THEY DIDN'T GET A TIP. IF IT'S NOT PART OF THE CULTURE, WHY ARE THESE YOUNG KIWIS DISAPPOINTED? IS THAT A GENERATIONAL THING THOUGH? IF IT'S A GENERATIONAL THING, IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL DECADES THAT I'VE BEEN WITNESSING AS SOMEONE ` I'VE CUT MY TEETH IN HOSPITALITY. I THINK IT'S CHANGING, AND I THINK IT'S CHANGING FOR THE GOOD, WE HAVE KIWIS WHO HAVE GONE OVERSEAS AND COME BACK, WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT VISIT OUR RESTAURANTS, WE LIKE TO EXCEL NOT ONLY WHAT'S ON THE PLATE, BUT KIND, INFORMATIVE SERVICE. IT'S A TRAINING GROUND FOR A LOT OF OUR YOUNG MINDS. YOU TALK ABOUT IT AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR YOUNG MINDS, BUT YOU ALSO SAY IT IS A TRAINING GROUND FOR HOW THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS WORKS. YOU YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MULTITASK, WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS SERVING HUMAN BEINGS, WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE LIKE, OKAY, LET'S LEARN FROM THIS. I AM BASICALLY A COACH THESE DAYS, AND I THINK WE REALLY TRY TO GIVE PEOPLE MOMENTS, GIVE A MOMENT, DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S AN EIGHT COURSE AT DEGUSTATION, OR A BOWL OF PASTA, TO SHOW GREAT HOSPITALITY. AND IF YOU GET A TIP AS A RESULT OF THAT, GO YOU. THE EFTPOS MACHINE ` WHETHER THAT AMERICAN CULTURE IS CREEPING IN HERE IN NEW ZEALAND, AND WHETHER IT PUTS TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON US. SOME MACHINES ARE LIKE FIVE, 10, UP TO 20%. OUR EFFORTS MACHINES IT'S LIKE YES OR NO, AND IT'S A QUICK BUTTON. SOME PEOPLE GET CONFUSED, BUT WE HELP THEM. THAT SOME PEOPLE GET CONFUSED AS TO WHETHER THEY ARE GETTING SPARKLING OR FILTERED WATER. BUT* BUT I WANT TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE DILEMMA. SOME PEOPLE WANT SPARKLING WATER. SOME PEOPLE DON'T. SOME PEOPLE WILL COME UP TO ME AND TELL ME I HAVE AMAZING STAFF. PEOPLE WILL SAY THEY ARE SUCH GREAT STAFF, AND THEY HAD SUCH A GREAT NIGHT, AND I WANT TO LEAVE A TIP. IT WOULD BE SILLY FOR ME NOT TO HAVE THAT OPTION, BUT I KNOW IT'S REALLY VALUED WITH A LOT OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE. IT'S INTERESTING TOO, OUR FEEDBACK TOPICS HAVE BEEN AROUND TIPPING, AND SOMEONE HAS WRITTEN INTO SAY THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID NO, THE STAFF HAVE SAID NO, THERE OF BEEN TIMES WHERE I'VE BEEN UP THE FRONT AND TAKING PAYMENT, AND I COULD TELL BY THE ENERGY THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO. A LOT OF TIME I JUST WANT TO EXPEDITER, AND MAKE IT COMFORTABLE FOR THE GUEST. THERE OF BEEN TIMES THAT I HAVE PRESSED NO FOR THEM, AS SPECIALLY IF THEY ARE NOT REALLY READING. IT'S AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION. WE LOVE TO HAVE YOUR FEEDBACK, DO YOU OR DON'T YOU? IF YOU WORK AT A RESTAURANT, DO YOU TAKE THE TIP? BEFORE WE GET TO YOUR NEWS, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP AFTER 7 O'CLOCK. WARNING BELLS ARE RINGING OVER NEW ZEALAND'S LOW VACCINATION RATES FOR MEASLES. WE'RE WELL SHORT OF THE COVERAGE NEEDED, AND IT'S PUTTING KIWI KIDS AT MAJOR RISK. HOW WE CAN REDUCE THE CHANCE OF AN OUTBREAK ` COMING UP NEXT. WE'RE HAVING FEWER BABIES IN NEW ZEALAND. LATEST DATA SHOWS WE'VE HAD THE LOWEST NATURAL POPULATION INCREASE FOR YEARS. SO WHAT DOES MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF AOTEAROA? THAT'S IN AROUND TWENTY MINUTES. AUSTRALIA NABBED A LAST BALL VICTORY IN THE OPENING GAME OF THE THREE MATCH T20 SERIES, BUT THE BLACK CAPS ARE LOOKING TO LEVEL THE SERIES TONIGHT AT EDEN PARK. WE'LL BE LIVE AT THE PITCH WITH SOME OF THE KIWI TEAM A LITTLE LATER, BUT FIRST, IT'S 7 O'CLOCK. HERE'S CHRIS WITH THE NEWS. THE FAMILY OF FA'ANANA EFESO COLLINS HAS EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THE MESSAGES OF LOVE,SUPPORT AND COMFORT FOLLOWING HIS SUDDEN DEATH. THE GREEN MP WAS PARTICIPATING IN AN CHARITY EVENT IN AUCKLAND ON WEDNESDAY WHEN HE COLLAPSED AND DIED. HE IS BEING REMEMBERED BY THE SOUTH AUCKLAND AND PACIFIC COMMUNITY AS A VOICE FOR HIS PEOPLE. HIS FAMILY SAY DETAILS OF HIS FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE CONFIRMED SHORTLY. A HASTINGS FATHER WANTS TO SEE STRICTER REGULATIONS AROUND VAPING BEING IMPLEMENTED AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. A LAW CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER BANNED NEW SPECIALISED VAPE STORES FROM OPENING NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT SUKHDEEP SINGH SAYS THIS SHOULD ALSO BE APPLIED TO PRE-EXISTING STORES. HE'S PLANNING A RALLY IN HASTINGS TOMORROW, PROTESTING A LACK OF ACTION FROM LAWMAKERS. I WANT TO SEE THE ACTIONS, NOT JUST THE WORDS. IT HAS TO BE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS WHEN I HAD A PROTEST, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO THOSE STORES WHICH WERE OPENED BEFORE THOSE NEW REGULATIONS BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER. SO I WANT TO KNOW AS A FATHER, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THOSE STORES. SUKHDEEP SINGH DOESN'T BELIEVE THERE'S ENOUGH EDUCATION AROUND THE ISSUE FOR BOTH CHILDREN OR PARENTS. THE MOTHER OF A RUSSIAN ACTIVIST WHO SUDDENLY DIED IN PRISON SAYS SHE'S NOW BEEN SHOWN HIS BODY. ALEXEI NAVALNY'S MUM WAS BARRED FROM SEEING HIS REMAINS FOR DAYS, DESPITE REPEATED EFFORTS TO DO SO. SHE SAYS SHE SIGNED A DEATH CERTIFICATE ` NAVALNY SUPPORTERS SAY IT CLAIMS HE DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES. ALEXEI NAVALNY'S WIDOW SAYS HER HUSBAND WAS KILLED BY RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT. HE WAS THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF VLADIMIR PUTIN. MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF UKRAINE'S CHILDREN HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE RUSSIA'S INVASION. BUT THIS WEEKEND WILL MARK TWO YEARS SINCE UKRAINE'S BORDERS WERE BREACHED BY RUSSIAN FORCES AND THE WAR THAT HAS RAGED SINCE SEEMS NO CLOSER TO ENDING. CIIVILIANS HAVE INEVITABLY BEEN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE AND UNICEF'S DAMIAN RANCE SAYS IT'S UKRAINE'S CHILDREN THAT CONTINUE TO SUFFER. CHILDREN IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY HAVE FACED OVER 5000 HOURS A DAY UNDER AIR RAIDS ALERTS. THAT'S SIX MONTHS. THAT'S 1/4 OF THE TIME THEY'VE SPENT UNDER AIR RAID ALERTS. THAT WILL CAUSE NERVOUS TICS DEPRESSION, BEDWETTING. TO AUSTRALIA NOW, AND DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES IN VICTORIA'S WEST HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EVACUATE AS A MONSTER FIRE RACES TOWARDS TOWNS. AT LEAST 1000 FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THE BLAZE, WITH SOARING TEMPERATURES AND STRONG WINDS MAKING IT WORSE. I AM HERE TO TELL COMMUNITIES THE FIRE SITUATION WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. THE BUSHFIRE IS JUST 60 KMS FROM WHERE A DEVASTATING BLAZE WIPED OUT HALF A TOWN AROUND A WEEK AGO. TO SPORT, AND THE BLUES WILL ROLL OUT THREE DEBUTANTES THIS WEEKEND WHEN THEY KICK OFF THE SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC SEASON AGAINST THE FIJIAN DRUA ON SATURDAY. THE MATCH IS BEING HELD IN WHANGAREI. LOCAL ROOKIE JOSH BEEHRE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO STARING HIS CAREER AT HOME. IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL, EH? I DON'T THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP ANY BETTER. I WAS ACTUALLY AT THE LAST GAME IN WHANGAREI, I WAS A BIT YOUNGER THEN THAN I AM NOW. JUST REAL KEEN. COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP ANY BETTER. JUST YEAH, LIKE I SAID, REAL EXCITED. CALEB CLARKE AND ANGUS TA'AVAO WILL BOTH BRING UP FIFTY GAMES FOR THE FRANCHISE. FORMER BARCELONA FOOTBALL STAR DANI ALVES HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE. THE BRAZILIAN FOOTBALLER HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO FOUR AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPING A WOMEN IN A BARCELONA NIGHT CLUB. THE SPANISH COURT DID NOT ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT PUT FORWARD BY HIS LAWYERS THAT ALVES SHOULD RECEIVE A MORE LENIENT SENTENCE BECAUSE HE WAS DRUNK. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY, HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON, 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND AND WHITIANGA. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS, WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. DON'T FORGET YOUR BROLLY. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 28 THE HIGH FOR HASTINGS. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH HERE. SHOWERS IN TAUMARUNUI, REACHING A HIGH OF 23. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. HEADING SOUTH ` MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY TO BLUE SKIES. 21 THE HIGH FR TIMARU. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL TODAY. TO YOUR WEEKEND IN THE NORTH ISLAND, IT'S A FINE DAY WITH HIGH CLOUD WITH SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. RAIN SPREADING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND HITTING THE WEST COAST, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. FOR YOUR SUNDAY, RAIN DEVELOPING IN THE NORTH ISLAND. HEAVY FOR AUCKLAND, AND TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, EARLY RAIN FOR BULLER AND NELSON. SHOWERS ELSEWHERE EASING. MEDICAL EXPERTS ARE RAISING THE ALARM OVER OUR SHOCKINGLY LOW MEASLES VACCINATION RATES. ONE HEALTH PROVIDER ON THE FRONT LINE IN TARANAKI SAYS SHE'S 'EXTREMELY FEARFUL' WE'RE ABOUT TO AN OUTBREAK SIMILAR TO THE DEADLY EPIDEMIC THAT HIT SAMOA IN 2019, WHEN 83 PEOPLE DIED. THOSE MOST AT RISK ARE OUR BABIES, BECAUSE CHILDREN NEED TO BE 12 MONTHS TO GET THE VACCINE. TUI ORA CLINICAL NURSE LEADER ROBYN TAYLOR JOINS US NOW FROM NEW PLYMOUTH. ARE WE ON THE BRINK OF AN OUTBREAK? WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF AN OUTBREAK. THERE'S MEASLES OUTBREAKS CURRENTLY IN EUROPE, UK, AMERICA, AND RECENTLY THERE WAS A CASE IN AUSTRALIA. IT'S GETTING CLOSER. YOU SAID WE ARE EXTREMELY FEARFUL. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PARENTS ABOUT WHY THEY ARE NOT VACCINATING? THERE ARE MANY VARIED REASONS. A LOT OF THEM ARE THAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SERIOUS DISEASES ARE. WE ALMOST ERADICATED SOME, AND WITH THE LOW RATES, SOME WILL BE COMING BACK. IS ALSO A LACK OF GP PRACTICES AND ENROLLING PATIENTS, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A GP, THE OTHER THING IS IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CLINICS THAT ONLY OPERATE 9-5 ON A WEEKDAY. PEOPLE WORK, SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY OPERATE ON WEEKENDS AND OUTSIDE WORK HOURS. AND OF COURSE, THE BIGGEST ONE, AS THE MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA. IT HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR. IT'S PUT FEAR INTO PARENTS THAT ARE SO UNFOUNDED. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DIVE INTO. WE TALK ABOUT THE MISINFORMATION, YOU CANNOT STOP SOMEONE GOING ON INSTAGRAM, AND LISTENING TO THE LATEST INFLUENCER. AND THEY CAN DO IT ALL THE TIME. WE KNOW OUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN IN DIRE STRAITS, THERE IS A GAP. WE KNOW THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES ARE OUT THERE, BUT WE DON'T PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT IS AVAILABLE OR ACCESSIBLE TO COMBAT THAT. WE JUST SAY TURN UP. IT'S NOT POSSIBLE. IS NOT POSSIBLE. WE HAVE A CLINIC TOMORROW ON SATURDAY, GO GET YOUR MEASLES VACCINE. BETWEEN 11 AND THREE TOMORROW. YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE, OTHERWISE HE WILL NEVER PEOPLE WILL NEVER GO GET A VACCINE. IT'S A CATCH-22. DOES HEALTH NZ NEED TO BE DOING MORE TO ENCOURAGE BROADER ACCEPTANCE OF THESE SORTS OF TREATMENTS OR PRO VACCINATIONS POINTS OF VIEW? THERE IS SO MUCH TO COMBAT WITH WHAT PEOPLE SEE ON THE INTERNET. I WISH THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUT WAY MORE MEDIA AROUND THIS. WE NEEDED ON THE TVS, WE NEED IT EVERYWHERE. WE NEED IT EVERYWHERE THAT VACCINES ARE SAFE. THAT WE ARE IN FOR A HUGE SAD DISASTER WHEN MEASLES GETS HERE, IF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WE TALKED ABOUT SAMOA, AND WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THAT. A LOT OF CHILDREN DIED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BURDEN OF THAT DISEASE IN THOSE DEATHS, WILL BE THE BURDEN ON OUR CHILDREN, MOSTLY TAMARIKI MAORI. I WONDER HOW YOU RESPOND WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT'S SAMOA, WE'RE NEW ZEALAND, WE HAVE BETTER HEALTHCARE. THEY FEEL THAT THEIR LIFE IS NOT COMPARABLE TO THAT OF SOMEONE IN SAMOA, AND THEREFORE THE SAME THINGS WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM. WON'T* MEASLES DOESN'T CARE. IT DOESN'T CARE FOR A MILLIONAIRE OR LIVING IN POVERTY. IT IS SO CONTAGIOUS, IT IS EIGHT TIMES MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN COVID-19. EVERY 10 PEOPLE THEY SEE, NINE OF THOSE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WILL GET THE DISEASE. AND THEY WILL PASS IT ONTO ANOTHER NINE, AND ANOTHER NINE. IT IS EXTREME CONTAGIOUS. I AM FEARFUL ABOUT ` THERE IS A WOMAN THAT PRESENTED IN A CONFERENCE LAST YEAR, AND SHE PUT UP A PICTURE OF A MUM AND DAD AT A GRAVESIDE, THEY LOST TWO OF THEIR CHILDREN TO MEASLES. THAT WILL HAPPEN HERE. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN. IT IS SUCH A PREVENTABLE DISEASE. IF THEY JUST GOT VACCINATED, WE COULD PREVENT THIS, ABSOLUTELY. I KNOW YOU'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY, BUT I HOPE YOU CAN CONVINCE MORE PEOPLE THAT THE VACCINATION IS THE RIGHT PATH. GRATEFUL FOR ROBYN. THERE ARE MANY REASONS PEOPLE DON'T DO THEM. ROBIN'S MESSAGES VERY VERY CLEAR. WE ARE HEADING FOR A DISASTER. E HAERE AKE NEI ` OUR POPULATION RATE IS CHANGING. NEXT, WE FIND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF NEW ZEALAND. THE LATEST POPULATION FIGURES SHOW THE RATE OF NATURAL POPULATION INCREASE IS THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN 80 YEARS. THERE WERE JUST OVER 19,000 MORE BIRTHS THAN DEATHS LAST YEAR. THAT MEANS THE COUNTRY HIT A FERTILITY RATE OF 1.56 BIRTHS PER WOMAN - A RECORD-LOW NOT SEEN IN TWENTY YEARS AND WITH 2.1 BEING THE REPLACEMENT RATE FOR FERTILITY WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AOTEAROA? TO EXPLAIN IS POPULATION RESEARCH PROFESSOR TAHU KUKUTAI. The population is ageing THIS IS NOT NEW. FACILITY HAS BEEN DECLINING SINCE THE 1950S. WE SHOULD NOT REALLY BE SURPRISED BY ANY OF THIS. THE LEVEL NOW IS THE LOWEST IT HAS EVER BEEN SO NOW IT IS GRABBING ATTENTION. IT HAS BEEN ON A DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THIS MIGHT BE A SILLY QUESTION TO ASK BUT I WONDER ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THAT. WHAT DOES IT IMPACT? WHY DO WE NEED MORE PEOPLE? I DON'T KNOW IF THE QUESTION IS WHY DO WE NEED MORE PEOPLE. THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AND HOW DO WE PLAN FOR IT? WHEN WE ARE PLANNING FOR IT WE NEED TO KNOW LOTS OF THINGS. FIRSTLY, WE ARE TALKING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. FOR MAORI THE SITUATION IS QUITE DIFFERENT. MAORI FACILITY IS AT THE REPLACEMENT LEVEL. THE MEDIAN AGE IS ABOUT 27 YEARS, COMPARED TO ABOUT 43 YEARS IF WE LOOK AT THE NATIONAL PICTURE WE ARE JUST GETTING ONE PURVIEW SO WE NEED TO GET MINDFUL THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT DYNAMICS GOING ON. THE SECOND THING IS WE ARE NOT UNIQUE. EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FERTILITY DECLINE EVEN THE MOST POPULATED AND LEAST DEVELOPED PARTS OF AFRICA HAVE DECLINING FERTILITY. IT'S ONLY GOING IN ONE DIRECTION AND THAT IS DOWN. THE QUESTION IS HOW LOW WILL IT GO. SOME GOVERNMENTS IN THE WORLD ARE TRYING TO REVERSE THIS UNIVERSAL TRAJECTORY THROUGH BABY BONUSES AND IT FUNDAMENTALLY DOES NOT WORK. MOST OF EUROPE HAS BEEN IN SUB REPLACEMENT FERTILITY AND LOW LEVELS OF NATURAL DECREASE FOR MANY DECADES SO THE ONLY TWO THINGS THAT MAKE A POPULATION GROW IS MORE BOOSTS THAN DEATHS OR NET MIGRATION. NET MIGRATION BECOMES THE ONLY WAY FOR THE POPULATION TO GROW. AS YOU SAY, THERE'S THE FERTILITY RATE AND STRONG MIGRATION POLICY SO WHAT SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE LOOKING TO DO IN THE NEAR FUTURE? FERTILITY IS GOING IN ONE DIRECTION, AND IF YOU LOOK TO 20 YEARS OF MIGRATION DATA NEW ZEALAND YOU WOULD NEED A CRYSTAL BALL TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. IT'S VOLATILE AND ALL OVER THE PLACE. IT IS SENSITIVE TO A RANGE OF FACTORS LIKE GLOBAL PANDEMICS. THE NET MIGRATION WENT DOWN DURING COVID BUT THEN IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR WE HAD A SUPERHIGH IMMIGRATION OF NEARLY HUNDRED AND 35,000 PEOPLE. IT IS EXTREMELY VOLATILE AND REALLY HARD TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IF THERE IS NO LONG-TERM LOANS OR LONG-TERM PLANNING AND LONG-TERM POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO MIGRATION, AND THIS MEANS GOING FAR BEYOND THREE-YEAR ELECTION CYCLES. SO IT NEEDS AN ALL GOVERNMENT APPROACH. TO WRAP THINGS UP, IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERING? I THINK THEY MIGHT NEED AN IMMIGRATION POLICY. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT POPULATION PLANNING WITH THOSE TWO ELEMENTS TOGETHER. I DON'T THINK IT MAKES ANY SENSE TO LOOK AT THEM IN ISOLATION. THE QUESTION IS PROBABLY NOT SO MUCH WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE A POPULATION GROW, IT'S ACTUALLY WHAT DOES AN OPTIMAL POPULATION LOOK LIKE? THE REGIONS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. THEY ARE NOT SAVING GROWTH RATES, A STRUCTURE IS A DIFFERENT. SO WE NEED A REGIONALLY FOCUSED APPROACH BUT WE ALSO NEED A COHERENT, LONG-TERM NATIONAL LEVEL APPROACH SO WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING. FASCINATING CONVERSATION. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US BECAUSE YOU ARE IN THE US AT THE MOMENT SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TO BE WITH US THIS MORNING. I'M TRYING BUT I'M NOT QUITE AT 1.56. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA, YOUR 7.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS, WE CHECK BACK IN WITH DANIEL AS HE EXPLORES THE LATEST SUMMER FESTIVAL TO REACH THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR. ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? I AM ABOUT TO ROLL OFF. I HAD A NECTARINE FOR BREAKFAST. I LOOK LIKE ONE AND FEEL LIKE ONE. IT IS OKAY, YOU ARE COOKING. IT IS SUMMER, I REALLY AM COOKING. WE WANT TO GET TO SOME OF YOUR FEEDBACK WHICH IS AROUND TIPPING. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A RESTAURANT LATELY, DO THEY DO IT IN CAFE'S? NO, BUT I HAVE HAD IT IN ALL KINDS OF RESTAURANTS. IT IS NOT JUST HIGH-END, YOU CAN HAVE IT IN YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD DISTRO. WE ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT TAPPING BECAUSE IT IS A US THING. THEY DO NOT GET PAID AS MUCH. CATHERINE SAYS NO, NEVER. IT IS NOT OUR CULTURE. TO MANY AMERICAN IDEAS ARE PUSHED AMONGST US. HERE IS A THING ABOUT THAT, WHERE DOES THAT TIP MONEY GO? IT ACTUALLY DOES NOT BELONG TO ANYBODY. DID MICHAEL CLARIFY WITH HIS TIP MONEY GOES? NO, HE DID NOT. OUR GUEST ABOUT AN HOUR AGO WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY HAD THE OPTION. WHEN YOU DO THAT, WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? IT IS UP TO THE EMPLOYER TO DIVVY UP THE TIPS. PEOPLE SAY IF THIS SERVICE WAS EXCEPTIONAL, I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WE DO NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW IT IS GOING TO GET TO THE PERSON THAT SERVES YOU. 'WE'RE ON THE BRINK'. THAT'S THE WARNING FROM A FRONTLINE CLINICAL NURSE WHO SAYS THERE'S A HIGH RISK OF A MEASLES OUTBREAK. CURRENT IMMUNISATION COVERAGE SITS AT 83%, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT'S A FAR CRY FROM THE 95% NEEDED FOR HERD IMMUNITY. ROBYN TAYLOR SAYS THE BIGGEST RISK IS TO BABIES AND UNDER 5 YEAR OLD'S. IT IS VERY CONCERNING. WHERE THERE'S MEASLES OUTBREAKS CURRENTLY IN EUROPE, THE UK, AMERICA, AND RECENTLY ` JUST LAST WEEK ` THERE WAS A CASE IN AUSTRALIA. SO IT'S GETTING CLOSER. ROBYN TAYLOR SAYS A SHORTAGE OF GPs IS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW VACCINATION RATES. SHORT ON AMMO AND SHORT ON SOLDIERS, UKRAINE IS CONSIDERING A DESPERATE MOVE AS IT PREPARES TO MARK TWO YEARS SINCE RUSSIA INVADED. ITS PARLIAMENT IS DEBATING WHETHER TO LOWER THE ENLISTMENT AGE FROM 27 TO 25, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL POOL OF RECRUITS BY ABOUT 400,000. UKRAINE'S ARMY IS HEAVILY OUTNUMBERED BY RUSSIA'S SOLDIERS, SAYING IT WAS OFTEN FIVE TO ONE WHEN RUSSIA'S FORCES RECENTLY TOOK THE KEY CITY OF AVDIIVKA. BUT THE MOVE WOULD BE DEEPLY UNPOPULAR IN A NATION WORN DOWN BY NEARLY TWO YEARS OF CONFLICT. THE MOTHER OF DEAD RUSSIAN ACTIVIST ALEXEI NAVALNY SAYS SHE'S BEING BLACKMAILED OVER THE FUNERAL FOR HER SON. NAVALNY, THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN DIED SUDDENLY IN PRISON LAST WEEK. HIS MOTHER SAYS SHE'S NOW BEEN SHOWN HIS BODY AFTER BEING BARRED FROM DOING SO FOR DAYS. BUT MRS NAVALNYA ALSO SAYS OFFICIALS THREATENED TO DO SOMETHING BAD TO HIS REMAINS IF SHE DIDN'T ALLOW A SECRET BURIAL. NAVALNY'S WIFE HAS INSISTED THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN KILLED HER HUSBAND. AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND OTHERS INJURED AFTER A BOAT HIT A BRIDGE IN SOUTHERN CHINA. THE HUGE CONTAINER VESSEL SENDING A SECTION OF THE ROADWAY AND MULTIPLE VEHICLES CRASHING DOWN INTO THE RIVER. THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE ALSO CUT OFF WATER AND ACCESS TO AN ISLAND WHERE 8000 PEOPLE LIVE. OFFICIALS BLAMING THE CRASH ON 'IMPROPER OPERATION' BY THE CREW OF THE BOAT. A FRESH STRATEGY IS NEEDED TO BOOST NEW ZEALAND'S BIRTH RATE. THE LATEST POPULATION FIGURES SHOW THE RATE OF NATURAL POPULATION INCREASE IS THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN 80 YEARS. THERE WERE JUST OVER 19,000 MORE BIRTHS THAN DEATHS LAST YEAR. THAT MEANS THE COUNTRY HIT A FERTILITY RATE OF 1.56 BIRTHS PER WOMAN, UNDER THE 2.1 REPLACEMENT RATE. POPULATION RESEARCH PROFESSOR TAHU KUKUTAI SAYS IT'S TIME NEW ZEALAND TAKES A NEW APPROACH TO POPULATION GROWTH. SOME GOVERNMENTS IN THE WORLD HAVE TRIED TO REVERSE THIS UNIVERSAL TRAJECTORY TO BONUSES AND POLICIES. THAT FUNDAMENTALLY DOES NOT WORK. THERE ONLY TWO THINGS MAKE A POPULATION GROW. THERE ARE MORE BIRTHS AND DEATHS OR NET MIGRATION. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT NET MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION BECOMES THE ONLY LIVER AVAILABLE FOR POPULATION GROWTH IF YOU WANT YOUR POPULATION TO GROW. IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS, THOUGH ` THE BIRTH RATE FOR MAORI WOMEN HAS REMAINED AT THE REQUIRED 2.1. TO SPORT, AND THE BLACKCAPS WILL WELCOME A FAMILIAR FACE BACK INTO THE TEAM FOR THE SECOND T20 AGAINST AUSTRALIA AT EDEN PARK. PACE BOWLER TRENT BOULT IS LIKELY TO PLAY TONIGHT, NO LONGER A REGULAR FIXTURE AFTERDECLINING A CONTRACT WITH NEW ZEALAND CRICKET TO PLAY OVERSEES. BOULT SAYS HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING AGAIN AT EDEN PARK. GOOD CROWD. THE CROWD FEELS LIKE IT'S ON TOP OF YOU OUT THERE AND AUSTRALIA HAVE BROUGHT A QUALITY SIDE. FROM WHAT WE SAW LAST NIGHT, THEY'VE BROUGHT A FULL-STRENGTH SETUP, AND, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THEY PERFORMED, IT'S NO WONDER THEY'RE A FAVOURITE AT THE WORLD CUP COMING UP IN A FEW MONTHS. BUT, UM, JUST ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE, TRY AND EMBRACE IT AND GO OUT AND GIVE IT A CRACK. THE LAST TIME TRENT BOULT PLAYED A T20 FOR THE BLACKCAPS WAS AGAINST PAKISTAN IN 2022. THE SUPERCARS WILL MAKE THEIR RETURN THIS WEEKEND AT AUSTRALIA'S HOME OF MOTORSPORT, MOUNT PANORAMA. THE 24-CAR FIELD HAS ARRIVED IN BATHURST FOR TWO RACES. KIWI ROOKIE JAXON EVANS ONE OF FIVE NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE CHAMPIONS AND SAYS HE'S READY TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I THINK THE MAIN FEELING I'M GOING THROUGH AT THE MOMENT IS EXCITEMENT. JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET ON TRACK. WE'VE OBVIOUSLY HAD THAT FIRST TASTE OF DRIVING AT THE TEST DAY, BUT NOW TO BE HERE AT BATHURST AND BE GEARING UP FOR ROUND ONE, IT'S REALLY EXCITING. PRACTICE SESSION WILL START LATER TODAY WITH RACE ONE ON SATURDAY. AND FINALLY, THEY SAY EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY, BUT A SCANDAL'S ERUPTING IN EUROPE OVER EXACTLY HOW MANY ONE CANINE LIVED FOR. BOBI ` NOW DECEASED ` WAS NAMED THE WORLD'S OLDEST DOG LAST YEAR FOR LIVING AN INCREDIBLE 30 YEARS AND 243 DAYS. TOO INCREDIBLE FOR SOME VETS IT SEEMS, WHO GOT THE RECORD REVOKED, DUE TO INCONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THE MATURE MUTT'S LONGEVITY. IT MEANS THE TITLE RETURNS TO AN AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG THAT DIED IN THE '60s AT THE GRAND OLD AGE OF 29 YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY, HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON, 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND AND WHITIANGA. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS, WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. DON'T FORGET YOUR BROLLY. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 28 THE HIGH FOR HASTINGS. WHEN LOOKING AT A HIGH OF 27 FOR GISBORNE AND NAPIER. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH HERE. SHOWERS IN TAUMARUNUI, REACHING A HIGH OF 23. 21 FOR NEW PLYMOUTH AND WELLINGTON. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. 19 ON THE WEST COAST. HEADING SOUTH ` MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY TO BLUE SKIES. 25 FOR CHRISTCHURCH. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL. 24 IN QUEENSTOWN. TO YOUR WEEKEND IN THE NORTH ISLAND, BLEH! BLEH FOR THE WEEKEND. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THAT? THAT'S IT? IT'S JUST A RAIN. IT SUMS IT UP. LET'S GET TO A MORE EXCITING STUFF. LET'S HEAD BACK TO AUCKLAND'S WATERFRONT WHERE DANIEL IS ENJOYING A SUMMER FESTIVAL FOR ALL AGES. HOW'S THAT VIP ACCESS GOING? KEEP COMING, KEEP COMING. HEY, GUYS. SPEAKING OF VIP ACCESS, THAT IS OUR FIELD PRODUCER PARKING THE BOAT. THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NEW ZEALAND AT THE OCEAN FESTIVAL. 19 EVENTS STARTING FROM TODAY. 6 PM AS THE OFFICIAL OPENING. I'VE GOT YOU VIP ACCESS. WE SPEAK TO 1 OF THE EVENT ORGANISERS AFTER THE BREAK. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS, AUCKLAND'S LANTERN FESTIVAL LIT UP LAST NIGHT AND THOUSANDS FLOCKED TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE. THE CELEBRATION OF CHINESE CULTURE IS RUNNING EACH NIGHT UNTIL SUNDAY AT THE MANUKAU SPORTS BOWL. DANIEL IS JOINED BY SHANE LIU, THE FOUNDER OF SUMTHIN DUMPLIN FOR MORE ON THE FESTIVAL. I'M SURE YOU GOT SOME DUMPLINGS THERE AS WELL, DO YOU? THAT IS STILL COMING, THE DUMPLINGS, BECAUSE AS ALWAYS, I LIKE TO WORK HARD. I WANT TO DOUBLECHECK THAT TOM HAD PARKED OUR BOAT, SO THAT IS OF THEIR. WHERE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM WYNYARD QUARTER AHEAD OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE OCEAN FESTIVAL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY. IT IS ABOUT THE CITY PUTTING ON A NUMBER OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE OUR LOVE AT THE OCEAN. ONE OF THOSE EVENTS WAS THE LANTERN FESTIVAL. HOW ARE YOU GOING? FANTASTIC. WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE HERE ALREADY. LIST TALK ABOUT THE LANTERN FESTIVAL. IT HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE IT IS RETURNED. IT IS A MULTICULTURAL EVENT WE CAN BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ENJOY AND CELEBRATE THE CHINESE FESTIVAL. IT IS SO MUCH FUN. EVERYONE LOVES IT. MY FAMILY WERE THERE LAST NIGHT, STALLS WERE THERE LAST NIGHT. IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE ITS RETURN. FOUR YEARS SINCE ITS RETURN. WHY IS IT TAKEN SO LONG? WE HAD COVID, THEN LAST YEAR, IT WAS MEANT TO BE GOING BUT THEN WE HAD THE FLOODING. IT IS FINALLY ALTOGETHER, IT IS ALL GO. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT? IT IS SO MUCH ENERGY. THERE IS SO MUCH A YOUTH AND ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL LANTERNS. IT IS SUPER MULTICULTURAL AND EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT TIME. YOU GO THERE AND FEEL GREAT. IN TERMS OF FOOD, WHAT DO CHINESE CELEBRATE AROUND? IT IS DUMPLINGS. WHEN IT IS CHINESE NEW YEAR, IT HAS BEEN DUMPLINGS AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. THERE ARE OTHER CULTURES FOOD, YOU CAN EXPECT ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD THERE. IT IS ALL STREET FOOD SO YOU CAN PICK IT UP AND TRISOMY THINGS. IT IS THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON. I WOULDN'T BORN ON THE YEAR OF THE STAKE. WHICH IS NEXT YEAR. MY ZODIAC BEING A SNAKE IS ABOUT WISDOM, PATIENCE, THESE KIND OF THINGS. THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON ON MY UNDERSTANDING, WE HAD A GUEST ON A FEW WEEKS AGO SAYING THAT THEY ARE SOARING. THIS IS VERY EXCITING. ARE YOU GOING TO BE COMING TO WYNYARD QUARTER AND ENJOYING THE ATMOSPHERE? WE HAVE A STAGE SET UP. I DON'T KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THIS. DO YOU KNOW TRUE BLISS? I ACTUALLY DO, I AM 34 THIS YEAR. ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE? I DON'T RENDER THE NAMES, BUT I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS QUITE YOUNG LISTENING. NO ONE IN PARTICULAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. IF YOU ARE WAKING UP AND HAVE JUST TUNED IN, I AM HERE IT WHEN YOU QUARTER CELEBRATING THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. AUCKLAND CITY IS PUTTING ON A NUMBER OF EVENTS WHERE WE CELEBRATE OUR LOVE AFFAIR OF THE OCEAN. IT IS RUNNING FOR 30 DAYS, AND IT STARTS OFFICIALLY AT 6 PM. A LOT OF BOATS ARE COMING AND. WE TALKED TO ONE CHAP WITH THE BOAT ON THE RIGHT, HE IS OFF TO AMERICA. WHAT IS YOUR BOAT CALLED IF IT'S YOUR BOAT? THE BOAT IS CALLED BREAKFAST. BREAKFAST IS WHAT THE BOAT IS CALLED, AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE EVERYONE ON MY BOAT EVEN THOUGH I DO SO THE REAL OWNERS BOARD IT. WE CAN CRUISE AROUND THE HARBOUR. THEY WILL KICK YOU OFF IF YOU STAY THERE FOR TOO LONG. I HOPE YOU TOOK YOUR SHOES OFF. JUST QUICKLY, I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TAPPING AND WHETHER WE TAP OR NOT. I FEEL LIKE FOR ME, IT FEELS AMERICAN TO ME. HERE IS A TIP IF YOU WANT TO TIP. SMILE IF YOU GIVE ME SERVICE, ENGAGE WITH ME AND CARE ABOUT YOUR JOB. ISSUE I'VE HAD IN THE PAST YEAR IS THAT HOSPITALITY HAS GONE DOWN IN TERMS OF SERVICE. IF YOU WANT A TIP, EARN IT. ARE YOU INTO IT? IF IT IS FANTASTIC SERVICE, LIKE YOU SAY, ABSOLUTELY, BUT I GUESS IN THIS COUNTRY, ARE PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IDEA, EH? MIC DROP. THAT IS SO TRUE. IT IS NOT HARD. WORST TABLE EVER, WOULD IT NOT BE? E WHAI AKE NEI ` COMPETITORS IN THE WORLD TRIATHLON CUP ARE LINING UP IN HAWKE'S BAY. WE JOIN ONE OF OUR TRIATHLETES AS HE GEARS UP FOR HIS RACE TO THE OLYMPICS. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. THE NEW ZEALAND LEG OF THE WORLD TRIATHLON CUP THE NEW ZEALAND LEG OF THE WORLD TRIATHLON CUP IS BEING HELD THIS WEEKEND IN NAPIER, ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES AND OLYMPIC HOPEFULS. AMONG THEM, KIWI OLYMPIAN AND TRIATHLON STAR HAYDEN WILDE. HAYDEN JOINS US NOW. MORENA, HAYDEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. I IMAGINE THERE IS SOME LAST-MINUTE PREP YOU NEED TO DO. IF YOU'VE ALREADY QUALIFIED TO GO TO THE OLYMPICS, WHY ARE YOU COMPETING THIS WE CAN? HOW WAS IT GOING? GOOD MORNING. IT IS A GOOD DAY HERE IN NAPIER. I MOSTLY COMPETING JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT. IT IS A NATIONAL EVENT FOR NEW ZEALAND. SO I GET AMONGST IT. I ACTUALLY USED TO LIVE IN NAPIER, SO IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK DOWN AND GET AMONGST THE VINEYARDS AS WELL, TO BE HONEST. WE WENT TO ONE ON WEDNESDAY. YOU'VE BEEN TO A FEW VINEYARDS, AND YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR FUN. YOU SAID YOU USED TO LIVE IN NAPIER ` THIS EVENT USED TO BE IN NEW PLYMOUTH. HAVE YOU DONE A BIT OF TRAINING ON THIS PREVIOUSLY? YES. I WAS ACTUALLY HERE WHEN I WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT I DO REMEMBER THE HARBOUR AREA WHERE WE ARE ABOUT TO SWIM AND. SIGN EXCITED, AND FOR ME AS A PERSON, I AM GETTING INTO THE SEASON. NEXT TIME, I WILL BE IN ABU DHABI SO IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHETHER BODY IS. AS YOU SAID, WE ARE NORMALLY RACING IN TARANAKI. SO IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY AS WE GET CLOSER TO WHAKATANE. HOW IS THE WEATHER LOOKING? BECAUSE WE HAVE SCRAPPED OUR WEEKEND WEATHER REPORTS. HOW'S IT LOOKING OUT YOUR WAY? IT'S NOT LOOKING TOO BAD. WE ARE RACING AROUND 6 PM, SO HOPEFULLY IT STAYS UP IN THE MOUNTAINS AROUND TAUPO AREA. AND HOPEFULLY WE GET SOME NICE WEATHER. I DIDN'T REALISE YOU COMPETED THAT LATE IN THE DAY. IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE HEAT? I THINK IT IS MOSTLY BECAUSE OF ROAD CLOSURES, POTENTIALLY. WE NORMALLY RACE IN EUROPE AROUND 12 PM TO 5 PM ANYWAY. I GUESS LOOKING AT THE IRONMANIN TAUPO, AT STARTS AT 6 AM. SO IT IS LEISURELY. SPEAKING OF LEISURELY, YOU ARE STARTING ON SUNDAY FOR THE MIXED RELAY. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OTHER TEAM. WE ARE LUCKY HERE IN THE TEAM HERE IN NEW ZEALAND THAT WE HAVE GREAT OPTIONS. IT IS TO GIVE THE OTHER BOYS A RUN. THERE ARE ONLY TWO SPOTS IN THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM, AND THOSE BOYS ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND FIGHTING FOR THAT SPOT, SO IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SHOW WHAT THEY CAN DO THAT SEASON. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY AT THE END OF THE SEASON TO RACE FOR THE MIXED RELAY. I WILL BE DOWN THERE CHEERING FOR THE BOYS, BUT IF ONE OF THEM WAKES UP NOT FEELING SO GOOD, I WILL BE THERE. IF NOT, I WILL BE DOWN THERE WITH MY POM-POMS. HAYDEN, IT IS CHRIS HERE IN THE STUDIO. I HAVEN'T HAD A LOOK AT THE PARIS COURSE YET FOR YOUR EVENT, BUT WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE? ARE YOU GOING TO BE RACING PAST THOSE ICONIC LANDMARKS? WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE? SORRY, A TRUCK IS GOING PAST. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO PAST SOME OF THE MONUMENTS. WE GO OVER A FEW OF THE FAMOUS BRIDGES. ONE OF THE TRANSITIONS IS RIGHT ON ONE OF THE FAMOUS BRIDGES. WE GET TO SEE THE EIFFEL TOWER, BECAUSE WE ARE PRETTY MUCH IN THE DEAD CENTRE OF PARIS. IT IS EXCITING TO GET TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE THAT TURN UP. PARIS IS INTENSE ALONE, SO IT WILL MULTIPLY HAVING THE OLYMPICS THERE. IT IS J MAY HERE. SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM THIS MORNING. WHO ELSE DOING IT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THAT INDIVIDUAL EVENT? THERE ARE SOME PRETTY BIG NAMES HERE. ESPECIALLY SOME RUNNERS HERE, SO A COUPLE OF ATHLETES FROM THE UK THAT RUN REALLY WELL AND HAVE ONE WORLD CUPS. WON* AS WELL AS SOME KIWI BOYS, WHO WILL TRY AND PUT ME ON THE BACK FOOT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. WE ALSO HAVE SOME BOY FROM PORTUGAL AND HUNGARY AND SPAIN. SO WE'VE GOT DEPTH OF FIELD AND THE SWIM SIDE WHICH WILL MAKE MY LIFE PRETTY HARD, BUT I HAVE TO GO HARD ON THE BIKE AND THE RUN TO GET BACK INTO IT, AND HOPEFULLY HAS THE RUNNING LEGS AS THEY NORMALLY DO TO BRING ONE HOME FOR NEW ZEALAND. CAN WE GET YOU TO CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO WHEN YOU WON YOUR BRONZE MEDAL IN TOKYO, YOU WERE SUPER EMOTIONAL AFTERWARDS, TALKING ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND WHAT NOT. CAN YOU TELL US HOW MUCH YOU HAVE MATURED OVER THAT TIME AS A RUNNER AND HOW YOU ARE GOING INTO THIS NEXT OLYMPICS AND HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOU NOW THAT YOU HAVE ONE THAT MEDAL? IT IS AN INTERESTING SITUATION THREE YEARS ON. I AM IN A NICE POSITION THESE DAYS. A METRE ONTO THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM AS A YOUNG FELLA, AND IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE TO GET ONTO THE TEAM, AND TO PICK UP A MEDAL WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. IT WASN'T PART OF THE PLAN. I GUESS MY PLAN FOR MY NEW YEAR GOALS IS TO PERFORM WELL IN PARIS. COMING INTO THAT ONE ALREADY WITH A MEDAL, THERE WILL PROBABLY BE MORE PRESSURE ON THE OTHER ATHLETES. I WANT TO COME INTO ITS RELAXED AND IN A GOOD HEADSPACE. HAVING A GOOD MENTAL SPACE OF THAT JUST BEING ANOTHER RACE. ALEX, WHO WAS ONE OF THE HOT FAVOURITES AND RACING AT HOME IN FRANCE, THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HIM. IT IS REALLY NICE TO COME IN AND TRY AND GO A LITTLE BIT UNDER THE RADAR IN SOME WAYS. I THINK THE PREPARATION IS A LOT DIFFERENT. WITH COVID, I COULDN'T RACE 20 MONTHS PRE-OLYMPICS. COMING INTO THIS ONE, I WILL BE BASED IN ANDORRA, WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO PARIS. YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS GOING INTO A RACE. WHAT IS YOUR PRERACE MEAL? MAY PRERACE MEAL ` WELL, IT IS 6 PM, SO THE PRERACE MEAL IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT AT DINNERTIME. I WILL HAVE SOME PASTA. AT BREAKFAST TIME, I WILL HAVE SOME CORNFLAKES. NICE AND SIMPLE. A BIT OF WINE? CLEANUP AS WELL. HE KNOWS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO. THE 2016 PINOT WENT PRETTY WELL ON WEDNESDAY. TRIA BIT OF FRENCH WINE BEFORE YOU HEAD TO PARIS. THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE PROGRAM AND ALL THE BEST FOR THIS WEEKEND. ENJOY, HAVE FUN. THERE ARE CALLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STRONGER ACTION ON VAPE STORES AND BAN ALL EXISTING STORES WITHIN 300 METRES OF SCHOOLS. A LAW CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER BANNED NEW SPECIALISED VAPE STORES FROM OPENING NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT SUKHDEEP SINGH WANTS TO SEE THIS INCLUDE PRE-EXISTING STORES. HE BELIEVES NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE FOR THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. THEIR RULES ARE JUST A JOKE BY THE GOVERNMENT. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EDUCATION, MORE AWARENESS ABOUT VAPING PRODUCTS AMONG KIDS. SCHOOLA CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO SOME EXTENT. BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL TYPE OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS AMONG KIDS. HE HAS PLANNED A RALLY IN HASTINGS TOMORROW, PROTESTING THE LACK OF ACTION. A TAUPO MAN REMAINS AT LARGE AFTER AN INCIDENT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THAT FORCED SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND A KINDERGARTEN INTO LOCKDOWN. SOME CORDONS REMAIN IN PLACE IN THE HILLTOP AREA, BUT THE SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN TODAY. DETAILS AROUND THE INCIDENT ARE UNCLEAR, BUT POLICE SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN AND ARE APPEALING FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD. THEY BELIEVE HE'S OF NO RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AUGUST THE NUMBER OF JOB LISTINGS HAS INCREASED ` UP 1% MONTH ON MONTH. NEW DATA FROM RECRUITER 'SEEK' SHOWS ROLES IN RETAIL MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DROVE THE NUMBERS UP IN JANUARY. BUT COMPETITION REMAINS TIGHT, WITH APPLICATIONS RISING BY ANOTHER 6%. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM RECORDED THE LARGEST DECREASES IN LISTINGS. MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF UKRAINE'S CHILDREN HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE RUSSIA'S INVASION. THIS WEEKEND WILL MARK TWO YEARS SINCE UKRAINE'S BORDERS WERE BREACHED BY RUSSIAN FORCES, AND THE WAR THAT HAS RAGED SINCE SEEMS NO CLOSER TO ENDING. CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, AND UNICEF'S DAMIAN RANCE SAYS IT'S UKRAINE'S CHILDREN THAT CONTINUE TO SUFFER. CHILDREN IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY HAVE FACED OVER 5000 HOURS UNDER AIR RAID ALERTS WHEN THEY'VE HAD TO SEEK SHELTER IN BASEMENTS OR BOMB SHELTERS. THAT'S OVER SIX MONTHS. SO IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, OVER SIX MONTHS, ONE QUARTER OF THAT TIME, THEY'VE SPENT UNDER AIR RAID ALERTS. THAT TAKES AN ENORMOUS TOLL. WE'VE SEEN CHILDREN WITH NERVOUS TICKS, RESTLESS, BED-WETTING, SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL, NIGHTMARES, DEPRESSION, ALL THE WAY ALONG THAT MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM, THAT SPECTRUM. 20% OF CHILDREN IN UKRAINE ARE SAID TO BE IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE DUE TO THE WAR. TO AUSTRALIA NOW, AND DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES IN VICTORIA'S WEST HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EVACUATE. AS A MONSTER FIRE RACES TOWARDS TOWNS. AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THE BLAZE, WITH SOARING TEMPERATURES AND STRONG WINDS MAKING IT WORSE. I'M HERE TO TELL COMMUNITIES THE FIRE SITUATION WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. THE BUSHFIRE IS JUST 60km FROM WHERE A DEVASTATING BLAZE WIPED OUT HALF A TOWN AROUND A WEEK AGO. AN INDIAN STATE HAS BANNED CANDY FLOSS, DUE TO FEARS IT COULD CAUSE CANCER. TAMIL NADU, IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTH, MADE THE MOVE AFTER LAB TESTS IDENTIFIED RHODAMINE B, WHICH IS SUSPECTED TO BE A CARCINOGEN IN THE DYE USED TO MAKE IT PINK. NEW ZEALAND AGENCY MEDSAFE LISTS RHODAMINE B AS A COLOURING AGENT SAFE FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. OTHER INDIAN STATES ARE NOW DOING THEIR OWN TESTING AHEAD OF POTENTIAL BANS. TO SPORT, AND THE TALL BLACKS HAVE COMFORTABLY WON THEIR OPENING FIBA 2025 ASIA CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST CHINESE TAIPEI. AFTER LEADING BY JUST FIVE POINTS AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, NEW ZEALAND UPPED THE TEMPO IN THE FOURTH, GOING ON TO WIN 89-69. THEIR NEXT QUALIFYING MATCH IS IN NEW ZEALAND AGAINST HONG KONG ON SUNDAY, LIVE AND FREE ON TVNZ+. AND FINALLY, SYDNEY'S IN THE GRIP OF TAYLOR-MANIA, WITH MUSIC SUPERSTAR TAYLOR SWIFT SET TO TAKE TO THE STAGE FOR THE FIRST OF HER FOUR SHOWS IN THE CITY TONIGHT. A LAST-MINUTE RELEASE OF TICKETS SPARKING HUGE QUEUES OF DESPERATE SWIFTIES, WHILE THOUSANDS MORE LINED UP TO GET THEIR HANDS ON MERCHANDISE. FANS ALSO JETTING IN FOR THE FOUR NIGHT STAND. I CAME FROM THE PHILIPPINES. I THINK IT WAS EIGHT HOURS OF FLYING. I'VE COME FROM ZEALAND, AND I'M HERE TO SEE TAYLOR. SWIFT'S PARTNER, SUPER BOWL WINNING NFL PLAYER TRAVIS KELCE ALSO TOUCHED DOWN IN SYDNEY YESTERDAY, JOINING THE SINGER WHO'S HOLED UP IN THE $40,000 A NIGHT 'PRESIDENTIAL VILLA' AT THE CROWN TOWERS. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY, HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON, 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND AND WHITIANGA. AND 26 FOR WHANGAREI. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS, WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. DON'T FORGET YOUR BROLLY. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. 24 FOR WHAKATANE. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 24 IN PALMERSTON NORTH. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH HERE. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. HEADING SOUTH ` MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY TO BLUE SKIES. 25 IN CHRISTCHURCH. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL TODAY. AND 24 AND SUNNY IN QUEENSTOWN. WE WILL HAVE A QUICK LOOK AT THE WEEKEND, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY JUST BE TUNING IN. TO YOUR WEEKEND IN THE NORTH ISLAND, IT IS FINE IN THE NORTH BUT BLAH FOR THE REST. THAT IS THE METEOROLOGICAL TERM. FOR YOUR SUNDAY, RAIN DEVELOPING IN THE NORTH ISLAND. HEAVY FOR AUCKLAND, AND TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, EARLY RAIN FOR BULLER AND NELSON. SHOWERS ELSEWHERE EASING. QUEENSTOWN HAS THE ONE BRIGHT SPOT OF SUNSHINE. THE PARTY IS ALREADY GETTING STARTED AT AUCKLAND'S MOANA FESTIVAL. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IS SET TO BE PUMPED INTO OUR BIGGEST CITY'S ECONOMY. DANIEL IS THERE THIS MORNING. DANIEL, ARE YOU GETTING HUNGRY? BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN EATING THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR. YES, REALLY HUNGRY AT THE MOMENT. BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL YOU THIS ` I HAVE A FAMILIAR FACE. A FRIENDLY FACE, A FRIEND OF BREAKFAST. SHE HAS COOKED SOMETHING UP FOR ME TO TASTE. I AM HERE AT WYNYARD QUARTER. THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE NEW ZEALAND'S OCEAN FESTIVAL IS TAKING PLACE. IT STARTS TODAY AND RUNS FOR 30 DAYS. AS WE'D CHASE THE LAST OF THE SUMMER SUN, THIS WILL BE WHERE AUCKLAND PUTS ON HER BEST TO CELEBRATE OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH OCEAN. KIA ORA. THIS IS AUCKLAND UNLIMITED'S DIRECTOR OF DESTINATION. TELL US WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT AND HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT THIS EVENT IS ABOUT EVOLVING AND DEVELOPING OUR EVENTS PROCESS IN AUCKLAND. WE ARE DEVELOPING A SCHEDULE. THIS IS ABOUT DEVELOPING CONTENT THAT WE KNOW WILL HAPPEN EVERY YEAR IN OUR CITY. VISITORS CAN COME AND KNOW WE WILL HAVE AN AMAZING FESTIVAL ON EVERY YEAR AT THIS TIME. HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS GOING TO BRING INTO THE ECONOMY? HOPEFULLY A LOT. WE HAD AN ENORMOUS INJECTION WITH THE RED BULL CLIFF DIVING A FEW WEEKS AGO. WE ARE HOPING WE WILL GET SIMILAR NUMBERS OF THE NEXT FOUR WEEKENDS. THIS IS FOR ALL WALKS OF LIFE. AT THE HEART OF A COMET'S FAMILY AS WELL. I WAS JUST AT THE EDUCATION HUB THIS MORNING. I THINK YOU HAD A SURPLUS OF BOATS COMING IN TOWARDS THE END. WE HAVE YACHTS, AND BEHIND US, THE MANU CHAMPIONSHIPS. ARE YOU GOING TO GO? PROBABLY NOT. IS THIS JUST AN AUCKLAND THING OR IS IT FOR OTHERS AS WELL? WE HAVE CRUISE SHIPS COMING IN, AND SO WE WANT THOSE VISITORS TO COME IN AND LEARN ABOUT OUR OCEAN. THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING OUR MOANA AS WELL. WE HAVE THE AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW AS THE PART OF OUR FESTIVAL, WE HAVE THE MANUS WHICH OBVIOUSLY KICK OFF TODAY. WE HAVE THE WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL. SO IT IS FOR ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THOSE BEAUTIFUL WOODEN CRAFT AND THOSE WHO WILL WANT A BIT OF ACTION LEAPING OFF THE STAGE BEHIND US. WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST HERE. WITH THE MAGIC OF TV. LIVE TV, WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FALL OVER. CHECK THIS OUT ` FRIEND OF BREAKFAST PETER GORDON. HOW ARE YOU? I AM VERY GOOD. THIS IS GREAT. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MANU SO MUCH. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GIVE IT A GO? TOTALLY. TELL US ABOUT AUCKLAND EATS. IT IS CHOSEN BY THE PUBLIC. THERE ARE 100 ISSUES YOU CAN ONLY HAVE IN AUCKLAND. YOU HAVE TO COME UP TO TAMAKI TO GET IT. THINGS ARE PUT FORWARD AND NOMINATED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TO AUCKLAND. IT IS NOT A FEW PEOPLE IN THE ROOM CHOOSING IT; IT IS THE PUBLIC. IT IS SHOWCASING THE CUISINE OF AUCKLAND IN A POSITIVE WAY. TELL US WHAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US. THIS WAS CREATED BY OUR HEAD CHEF WHO IS FROM SOUTHERN INDIA. THIS IS OUR ICONIC EAT, AS CHOSEN THIS YEAR. WE HAD SCONES LAST YEAR. WE SERVE A LOT OF THIS, AND SO THIS IS A REALLY ICONIC EATS FOR ORGAN. IT IS RAW FISH. WE ARE USING LOCAL TRAVELLI. THERE IS COCONUT, ORANGE, AND THEN THIS WAFER IS SOMETHING OUR HEAD CHEF USED TO MAKE IN HIS CHILDHOOD. THE KEY TO THIS IS HAVE A BIT OF EVERYTHING. SHOULD I GIVE YOU A LITTLE SAMPLE? I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD. WE JUST SCOOP IT OUT? YOU CAN SEE THE FISH. LOVE THE COLOURS. THANK YOU. OH. I LIKE THE IDEA OF IT. THAT IS DELICIOUS. IS THAT MAYO? HE IS SAYING BE GENEROUS. HE'S GOING TO FEED HIM. HE'S GOING TO EAT ON TV. OH. THAT WAS ABOUT THREE DOLLARS WORTH OF FISH, DANIEL. GRACEFUL. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT ON TV. YOU'VE GOT YOUR MOUTH FULL. THERE IS THE COCONUT RICHNESS, THE FISH. THERE IS A ZING GOING ON IN MY PALATE. THAT COULD BE THE GINGER JELLY THERE AND CHILI FLAKES. I THINK IT IS AN ICONIC DISH. WHAT AN EXCITING 30 DAYS AHEAD. YOU MUST BE EXCITED. WE CAN'T WAIT. IT IS SUCH AN OBVIOUS THING TO HAVE A FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THE OCEAN, AND WE HAVEN'T DONE IT BEFORE, AND NOW WE HAVE. SO WE REALLY WANT TO GET PEOPLE DOWN HERE. THERE IS AN AMAZING INFORMATION CENTRE. THERE ARE AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING EVERY WEEKEND. IT IS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL MOANA. THANK YOU FOR COMING ON. WE HAVE THE MANU BEHIND US. OH, COOL. DANIEL, THERE IS A BIT ON YOUR CHIN. THE OTHER SIDE. USED THE MIC SOCK. THAT IS ONE OF 19 EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND WYNYARD QUARTER AND PART OF THIS FESTIVAL. IT IS INCREDIBLE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. NEW ZEALAND'S OCEAN FESTIVAL. IF YOU ARE IN AUCKLAND OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS, COME DOWN TO WYNYARD QUARTER. IT IS LOTS OF FUN. THERE IS FOOD, DIVING, MANU. TRUE BLISS IS COMING BACK AFTER FIVE YEARS. DANIEL, REMEMBER YOU NEED ONE HOUR AFTER EATING TO ATTEMPT THE MANU. NOT THE EASIEST ISSUE, BUT BOY, IT IS DELICIOUS. OK, DANIEL. I THINK WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AGAIN. ME U TONU MAI ` WE'RE HEADING AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH OUR COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD AND ALL THE LOCAL EVENTS HAPPENING NEAR YOU THIS WEEKEND. DAD BOD COMPETITIONS, YES. BARBEQUES, AND EVEN A KILOMETRE OF INTERACTIVE ART. THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WE'LL HAVE MORE DETAILS NEXT. # IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. IT IS TIME FOR OUR COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD WHERE WE HEAD AROUND THE COUNTRY CHECKING OUT FUN EVENTS NEAR YOU! FIRST WE HEAD TO NORTHLAND'S BIGGEST FREE INTERACTIVE ART EVENT. ART BEAT IS EXPECTING TO BRING AROUND 15,000 PEOPLE TO WHANGAREI. FOR MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY CREATIVE NORTHLAND'S OLIVIA GARELJA AND JO ROBERTS. GOOD MORNING. THIS IS REALLY COOL ` 15,000 PEOPLE, THAT IS A LOT. IS THAT THE MOST YOU HAVE EVER HAD? GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT IS KIND OF AN ESTIMATION. BACK IN OCTOBER, WE HAD THE VERY FIRST WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL WHICH WAS SET TO MARITIME FESTIVAL WHICH WAS SET TO BRING IN AROUND 13,000 PEOPLE. TOMORROW, WE ALSO HAVE THE SUPER RUGBY BLUES VERSUS FIJI. SO WE IMAGINE THERE WILL BE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN TOWN. IT IS HARD TO ESTIMATE NUMBERS, BUT THAT IS A POSSIBILITY. WE ARE GETTING PREPARED FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH WE'RE NOT 100% SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL TURN UP. GREAT IDEA. IN THE SUPER RUGBY FANS TO BE CULTURE VULTURES. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT THAT THIS AMAZING EVENT? LIKE YOU SAID BEFORE, WE ARE ACTIVATING AN ENTIRE KILOMETRE STRETCH OF THE TOWN BASIN. FROM THE PARK TO THE ART CENTRE. IT WILL CONTINUE DOWN PAST RAEBURN HOUSE AND TO THE SCULPTURE PARK, ENDING UP AT OUR CULTURAL CENTRE. SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO HAVE A GO AT A RANGE OF DIFFERENT ARTS ACTIVITIES. EVERYTHING FROM FIRE SPINNING TO HANGING UPSIDE DOWN TO GETTING PAINT SPLASHING EVERYWHERE, POTTERY WHEELS AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE A BIG DEDICATED TOI MAORI ZONE. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE IT SOUNDED REALLY COOL? THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HAD THE ZONE AS PART OF THE EVENT. SO IT IS EXCITING TO HAVE MORE EXPOSURE TO MAORI ART. IT IS LOOKING AT MODERN CRAFT AND BEING INSPIRED BY THE TIKANGA AND PROCESSES THAT IS INSTALLED IN THIS BEAUTIFUL TAONGA. THAT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. NOW, LETS HEAD SOUTH TO HAMILTON WHERE THE BARBEQUES ARE BEING LIT AND A FIERY SHOWDOWN IS ABOUT TO COMMENCE. IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT MEATSTOCK. FOR MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY FESTIVAL DIRECTOR JAY BEAUMONT. YES. MORENA. MEATSTOCK, TELL ME ABOUT IT. IT IS A BARBECUE FESTIVAL WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GATHER TOGETHER AT MYSTERY CREEK AND CELEBRATE LOW AND SLOW BARBECUE. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CELEBRATE THAT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT BARBECUE. WE HAVE A COMPETITION. EVENTS BASED AROUND BARBECUE. YOU WILL FIND SOME OF THE BEST BARBECUE HERE THIS WEEKEND, BUT ALSO BANDS ` SHIAHD, KATCHAFIRE. THERE ARE EATING COMPETITIONS, A BEARD COMPETITION. THERE IS A MEDIAEVAL VILLAGE. SO IT IS REALLY A BIT OF A CELEBRATION BASED AROUND SORT OF AMERICAN CULTURE, BUT BARBECUE IS THE HEART OF IT. THAT IS WHY PEOPLE COME. THERE IS GOING TO BE 15,000 PEOPLE OVER HERE OVER THE WEEKEND. THIS IS HAPPENING AT MYSTERY CREEK, AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS LIKE DADS GETTING TOGETHER TO HANG OUT. I'M ASSUMING YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COME TO THIS THING? VERY FAMILY FRIENDLY. 60% OF PEOPLE WHO BUY TICKETS TO MEATSTOCK OUR FEMALE. MAYBE THEY BRING A PARTNER. BUT WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SPLIT. AS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT. IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE A BLOKEY THING ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT THERE ARE FEMALES ENJOYING THE BARBECUE AS WELL STOP IT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD CONSIDER GOING TO. DAD BODS ` WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T UNSEE. THERE IS A MULLET COMPETITION, AND FOR A BETTER FUN, WE HAVE ANOTHER CATEGORY LIKE HAIRY CHEST. WE HAVE BUTCHER WARS. THERE IS ARE WRESTLING. THERE IS TONS TO DO. THAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH A GOOD WEEKEND. SO TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE? TICKETS FOR SATURDAY ARE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. SO IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT A TICKET, IT IS A FULL HOUSE. BUT WE DO HAVE SUNDAY TICKETS AVAILABLE. CASEY BARNES AND TAMMY NELSON ARE ON THE SUNDAY. SO IF YOU WANT TO COME, IT IS YOUR ONLY CHOICE. HAIRY CHEST? NOW, LET'S HEAD TO THE BEACH. SURF BOAT COMPETITORS ARE GEARING UP FOR PIHA'S DAY OF GIANTS. THINK SUN, SURF, AND AS OUR NEXT GUEST SAYS, CARNAGE. FOR MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY PIHA PIRANHAS' TOM JACKA. TIME, CARNAGE? I AM A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE WORD CARNAGE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? CARNAGE MEANS A BIT OF FUN TO ASK, TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST. WE I'M HOPING TOMORROW THERE IS A GOOD SWELL COMING. STUFF HAPPENS, AND BOATS COME TOGETHER. AND IT IS ALL A GOOD TIME FOR US. HOPEFULLY WE COME BACK TOGETHER? I'M GUESSING THAT'S BECAUSE SOME OF YOU MIGHT END UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOAT RATHER THAN THE INSIDE. IS THAT LIKE A PARTICULARLY BIG SWELL THAT WE ARE EXPECTING THIS WEEKEND? THE WEATHER LOOKS ALL RIGHT. THE WEATHER IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD. THE SWELL RIGHT NOW IS LOOKING TO BE ABOUT 1.3 M WAS NOT CHALLENGING, BUT NOTHING WE CAN'T HANDLE. WE ARE HOPING TO GET BACK IN IT TOGETHER, BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. SURF IS UNPREDICTABLE AT TIMES. THE BOAT LOOKS PRETTY BIG, AND I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE ROOM FOR ALL OF YOU ON THERE. WHO IS EVERYONE? BESIDE ME AS TOBY, TYLER AND NATALIA. THESE ARE THE LADIES WHO WILL BE USING THEIR MUSCLE AND THEIR BODY TO STAND ON THE BACK THERE. HOW DO YOU RATE YOUR CHANCES? YOU GUYS HAVE DONE PRETTY WELL RECENTLY. AS TOMORROW THE DAY TO TAKE UP ANOTHER GOAL? YES. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO. WE WON IT LAST YEAR, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO BACK AGAIN. SO YOU'VE GOT TO HAUL THE BOAT OUT INTO THE SEA. IS THIS ANY GOOD AS A SPECTATOR SPORT? IF IT IS A NICE DAY AND I WANT TO HEAD OUT TO THE BEACH, WILL I GET A GOOD VIEW? I WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO. WE START ON THE BEACH. WE FINISH ON THE BEACH, AND SPECTATORS CAN PRETTY MUCH BE STANDING IN THE WATER WATCHING US. THE WHOLE RACE IS IN ABOUT 400 M OF THE SHORE. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK PEOPLE CAN COME AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. YES. AND IF YOU NEED SUNGLASSES, BRING SOME BINOCULARS. GOOD LUCK FOR THIS WEEKEND. HOPE YOU WHEN. HOPE THE SWELL IS GOOD, BUT I ALSO HOPE YOU ALL COME BACK TO SHORE IN THE BOAT. WHAT'S HAPPENING NEAR YOU NEXT WEEKEND? LET US KNOW ` MARKETS, EVENTS, FESTIVALS. HEAD TO whatsonbreakfast.co.nz. ALSO GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY WHO IS COMPETING AT THE MATAATUA KAPA HAKA REGIONALS THAT START TODAY. A MURI I NGA WHAKATAIRANGA ` YOUR 8.30 NEWS, SPORT AND WEATHER. PLUS, DANIEL HAS BEEN LEARNING ABOUT THE OCEAN, SAMPLING ITS SEAFOOD DELIGHTS AND NOW WE THINK HE'S FOUND SOME... MERMAIDS? WELL, JENNY MAY, I JUST THINK YOU NEED TO QUIETEN DOWN YOUR VOICE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MERMAIDS IN THE SEA. SO I'VE BEEN ON MERMAID WATCH. I AM TOLD THEY ARE PART OF THE MOANA AUCKLAND OCEAN FESTIVAL. I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE YET, BUT LET ME KNOW IF YOU SPOT ONE. WE WILL BE BACK AFTER THE BREAK. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. THERE ARE FRESH WARNINGS THAT NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN COULD DIE UNLESS THERE'S AN IMPROVEMENT IN VACCINATION RATES. CURRENT IMMUNISATION COVERAGE SITS AT 83%, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT'S A FAR CRY FROM THE 95% NEEDED FOR HERD IMMUNITY. CLINICAL NURSE ROBYN TAYLOR SAYS WE'RE ON THE BRINK OF AN OUTBREAK. MEASLES DOESN'T CARE IF YOU'RE A MILLIONAIRE OR IF YOU ARE LIVING IN POVERTY, IT WILL GET YOU NO MATTER WHAT. IT'S EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS. IT'S EIGHT TIMES MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN COVID. ROBYN TAYLOR SAYS THE BIGGEST RISK IS TO BABIES AND UNDER 5s. THE MOTHER OF DEAD RUSSIAN ACTIVIST ALEXEI NAVALNY SAYS SHE'S BEING BLACKMAILED OVER THE FUNERAL FOR HER SON. NAVALNY, THE MOST VOCAL CRITIC OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN DIED SUDDENLY IN PRISON LAST WEEK. HIS MOTHER SAYS SHE'S NOW BEEN SHOWN HIS BODY AFTER BEING BARRED FROM DOING SO FOR DAYS. BUT MRS NAVALNYA ALSO SAYS OFFICIALS THREATENED TO DO SOMETHING BAD TO HIS REMAINS IF SHE DIDN'T ALLOW A SECRET BURIAL. NAVALNY'S WIFE HAS INSISTED THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN KILLED HER HUSBAND. AS UKRAINE'S WAR ENTERS A THIRD YEAR, UNICEF SAYS IT'S THE COUNTRY'S CHILDREN THAT CONTINUE TO SUFFER. MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF UKRAINE'S CHILDREN HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE RUSSIA LAUNCHED ITS INVASION. UNICEF'S DAMIAN RICE SAYS THE CONSTANT FEAR OF DEATH AND FURTHER LOSS IS COMPOUNDED BY THE CONTINUED ATTACKS. NERVOUS TICS AND RESTLESSNESS, SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL, NIGHTMARES, DEPRESSION, ALL THE WAY ALONG THAT MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM. ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN ARE DISPLAYING NEED OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE. MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN IN UKRAINE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE THE WAR BEGAN. AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND OTHERS INJURED AFTER A BOAT HIT A BRIDGE IN SOUTHERN CHINA. THE HUGE CONTAINER VESSEL SENDING A SECTION OF THE ROADWAY AND MULTIPLE VEHICLES CRASHING DOWN INTO THE RIVER. THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE ALSO CUT OFF WATER AND ACCESS TO AN ISLAND WHERE 8000 PEOPLE LIVE. OFFICIALS BLAMING THE CRASH ON 'IMPROPER OPERATION' BY THE CREW OF THE BOAT. A POTENTIAL SIGN OF WARMING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA WITH BEIJING SET TO LOAN TWO PANDAS TO A ZOO IN CALIFORNIA, THE FIRST TIME IT'S DONE SO IN TWO DECADES. IT'S BEING SEEN AS A SIGN CHINA AND THE U.S. ARE TRYING TO REDUCE TENSIONS AFTER THEIR PRESIDENTS MET IN CALIFORNIA LAST YEAR. CHINA LOANS PANDAS TO MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES, UNDER A PROGRAM OFTEN REFERRED TO AS 'PANDA DIPLOMACY'. A FRESH STRATEGY IS NEEDED TO BOOST NEW ZEALAND'S BIRTH RATE. THE LATEST POPULATION FIGURES SHOW THE RATE OF NATURAL POPULATION INCREASE IS THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN 80 YEARS. THERE WERE JUST OVER 19,000 MORE BIRTHS THAN DEATHS LAST YEAR. THAT MEANS THE COUNTRY HIT A FERTILITY RATE OF 1.56 BIRTHS PER WOMAN, UNDER THE 2.1 REPLACEMENT RATE. POPULATION RESEARCH PROFESSOR TAHU KUKUTAI SAYS IT'S TIME NEW ZEALAND TAKES A NEW APPROACH TO POPULATION GROWTH. SOME GOVERNMENTS IN THE WORLD HAVE TRIED TO REVERSE THIS UNIVERSAL TRAJECTORY THROUGH BABY BONUSES AND POLICIES AND STUFF LIKE THIS, AND IT FUNDAMENTALLY DOESN'T WORK. THERE ARE ONLY TWO THINGS THAT MAKE A POPULATION GROW. IT'S MORE BIRTHS THAN DEATHS, OR IT'S NET MIGRATION. BASICALLY, WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT NET MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION BECOMES THE ONLY REAL LEVER AVAILABLE FOR POPULATION GROWTH IF YOU WANT YOUR POPULATION TO GROW. IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS, THOUGH. THE BIRTH RATE FOR MAORI WOMEN HAS REMAINED AT THE REQUIRED 2.1 RATE. TO SPORT, AND PACE BOWLER TRENT BOULT WILL MAKE HIS RETURN TO THE BLACKCAPS FOR THE SECOND GAME OF THEIR T20 SERIES WITH AUSTRALIA. BOULT'S NO LONGER A REGULAR FIXTURE IN THE TEAM AFTER DECLINING A CONTRACT WITH NEW ZEALAND CRICKET TO PLAY OVERSEES. BOULT SAYS HE DOESN'T REGRET HIS DECISION TO GO OFFSHORE. I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT FIFTEEN MONTHS AGO TO PROLONG MY CAREER, TRAVEL THE WORLD, SEE MY KIDS MORE. ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WILL PROBABLY UNDERSTAND AND PROBABLY WOULD'VE DONE THE SAME THING. IT'S A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT I STILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND CRICKET, PLAY FOR THE BLACKCAPS. THE LAST TIME BOULT PLAYED A T20 FOR THE BLACKCAPS WAS AGAINST PAKISTAN IN 2022. AND YOU CAN WATCH THE MATCH LIVE AND FREE RIGHT HERE ON TVNZ 1 AND TVNZ+ FROM 6:55. AND TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER THIS MORNING ` TO THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY, HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU HERE. ONE OR TWO SHOWERS ABOUT FOR YOUR AFTERNOON, 25 THE HIGH FOR AUCKLAND. HOPEFULLY IT STEERS CLEAR FOR THE CRICKET. FURTHER SOUTH, SHOWERS, WITH HIGH CLOUD FOR ALL OF YOU. 21 THE HIGH FOR TAUPO. TO THE EAST COAST, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. BLUE SKIES FOR ALL OF YOU, ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. 28 THE HIGH FOR HASTINGS. STILL WARM IN GISBORNE AND NAPIER. OVER TO THE WEST ` PARTLY CLOUDY, WITH THE SUN TRYING TO PEEK THROUGH HERE. SHOWERS IN TAUMARUNUI, REACHING A HIGH OF 23. 21 AND THE CAPITAL. TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, YOU'LL ALL WAKE UP TO HIGH CLOUD THIS MORNING, CLEARING TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY. ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. ANOTHER SCORCHER IN BLENHEIM, REACHING A HIGH OF 28. 19 ON THE WEST COAST. HEADING SOUTH ` MORNING LOW CLOUD AND FOG TO START YOUR DAY, CLEARING AROUND MIDDAY TO BLUE SKIES. CHRISTCHURCH, 25. TO THE DEEP SOUTH, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE. SUNSHINE ABOUT WITH SPOTS OF HIGH CLOUD. 25 THE HIGH FOR INVERCARGILL TODAY. QUEENSTOWN, 24. SATURDAY, NOT SO GOOD. RAIN SPREADING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND HITTING THE WEST COAST, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. FOR SUNDAY, THE OFFICIAL TERMINOLOGY IS BLEH. AND TO THE SOUTH ISLAND, EARLY RAIN FOR BULLER AND NELSON. SHOWERS ELSEWHERE EASING. TECHNICALLY CORRECT. 23 MINUTES TO NIGHT. NINE! WE COULDN'T CELEBRATE AUCKLAND'S MOANA FESTIVAL THIS MORNING WITHOUT GETTING ON THE WATER OURSELVES. DANIEL WAS VERY GLAD TO HOP ON ONE OF THE MANY SPECIAL WOODEN BOATS ON DISPLAY AT TAMAKI MAKAURAU'S WATERFRONT. AND LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE ALSO FOUND A FEW INTERESTING SEA FOLK TO CHAT WITH, DANIEL. YES, THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VIEWERS WHO MESSAGED ME TO SAY THEY SAW THE MERPEOPLE. I AM TALKING TO MICHELLE AND TONY WHO ARE THE WOODEN BOAT DIRECTORS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN APART FROM THE OBVIOUS? WHAT IT IS ABOUT? AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL, THERE WILL BE OVER 100 BOATS. I HAVE GOT SOME PRESENTS FOR YOU. A LITTLE POSTCARD YOU CAN USE AS A BOOKMARK FOR THE BOOK ABOUT TO GIVE YOU. THERE IS ALSO THE MARITIME NEW ZEALAND. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THEM. THERE IS ALSO ALWAYS A SONG IN THE WATER, IT IS A FABULOUS BOOK. IF YOU DO NOT GET TO IT, YOU CAN READ THE BOOK. SHOW YOUR COLLEAGUES. A COUPLE POSTERS YOU CAN PUT UP IN THE LUNCHROOM AND YOUR VERY OWN T-SHIRT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. HOW MANY BOATS ARE YOU EXPECTING? IT STARTS ON 1 MARCH, I UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE MANAGED TO PUT TOGETHER 100 BOATS ON THE HARBOUR, AND WE HAVE 70 BOATS INSIDE THE VIADUCT EVENT CENTRE. IT IS BROUGHT TOGETHER A LOT OF CLASSIC BOAT COMMUNITIES. IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY. IT HAS GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT BOATS. YOU HAVE THE YACHTS, LAUNCHES, SAILORS, DINGHIES. TALK TO US ABOUT THE BOAT BEHIND US. IT WAS BUILT IN 1931 BY A GENTLEMAN CALLED JOHNNY RAY AND HIS PARENTS FRONT YARD. HE BUILT IT FOR 8 POUNDS AND 10 SHILLINGS SO HE COULD SAIL AROUND THE PACIFIC. HE QUIT HIS JOB IN THE 30S, WHICH WAS AN UNUSUAL THING TO DO. HE HAD THIS DREAM OF BEING FREE AND SAILING ON THE OCEAN WAVES. FANTASTIC HISTORY. ABSOLUTE CLASS. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. HOW ARE WE? GREAT, SO IT IS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK FOR YOU. WE HAVE BEEN CHILLING HERE THIS WHOLE TIME. TELL ME ABOUT THE MERMAID. WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THIS FESTIVAL? I AM KING POSEIDON. I'M GOING TO BE GUIDING THE PEOPLE THROUGH THE PARADES SHOWING THEM HOW WE PARTY IN THE OCEAN. WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DRESS UP AS A MERMAID? HOW MUCH TIME AS A TAKE TO LOOK THE PART? ONLY A LITTLE BIT, ABOUT 45 MINUTES. IT IS REALLY JUST THE SPARKLE YOU PUT ON THE SPACE THAT MAKES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS FESTIVAL? I AM MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CREATIVE AND COLOURFUL PEOPLE OF AUCKLAND TO CELEBRATE OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY BY THE WATERFRONT IN THE MOST FABULOUS COLOURS AND CREATIVE LOCKS. I AM LOOKING TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE COME UP WITH, WHAT THEIR VERSION OF MERMAID PEOPLE ARE. LOTS OF YOUNG ONES COMING UP HERE AS WELL. THEY WILL BE LOOKING OUT FOR MERMAIDS. IF THEY SPOT YOU, ARE THEY ALLOWED TO COME UP AND SAY HELLO? ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN EVER HUG, WE CAN HAVE A PHOTO. LET'S JUST HAVE FUN. I WILL LET YOU JUMP BACK INTO THE SEA. SEA THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT AT THE FESTIVAL. THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. NOT JUST FOR AUCKLAND, BUT FOR NEW ZEALAND. ONE OF 19 EVENTS ACROSS 30 DAYS. VERY, VERY EXCITING. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT MERMAIDS AND SO YOU ARE BLUE IN THE FACE. CAN WE JUST HAVE A LOOK AT THE MERMAID PEOPLE AGAIN? KING POSEIDON, AND LOOK AT THE TAILS. HE HAS LITTLE FINS. YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME AND VISIT US IN OUR OCEAN KINGDOM. I AM KING TRITON. NO, I DID NOT BREAK IT. I AM VERY CAREFUL. I HEARD THAT, CHRIS. IT IS KING TRITON, NOT KING TRY HARD. HE IS OFF THE SCALES, ISN'T HE? THE BLACKCAPS HAVE MOVED CAMP UP TO AUCKLAND FOR THE LAST TWO T20'S. LACHIE MCLEOD IS AT THE GROUND THIS MORNING. HOW'S THE PITCH LOOKING, LACHIE? GOOD LUCK FOLLOWING THAT. THE PITCH IS LOOKING VERY NICE. EDEN PARK, WE ARE BACK. FRESH COAT OF PAINT ON THE CREASE. WE WILL TALK ALL THINGS CRICKET AFTER THE BREAK. I HOPE YOU TWO ARE EXCITED AS WELL. WE WILL SEE YOU SOON. WELCOME BACK TO BREAKFAST. THE BLACKCAPS ARE BACK IN ACTION TONIGHT AS THEY LOOK TO LEVEL THE T-20 SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA. AFTER AN EXCITING LAST BALL FINISH IN THE CAPITAL, EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH FOR ANOTHER THRILLING MATCH. SO WE SENT OUR SPORTS DEPARTMENT DOWN TO CATCH UP WITH THE BLACKCAPS. MORENA, LACHIE. I LOVE EDEN PARK ON FRIDAY MORNING. WE ARE HERE, IT IS GOING OFF. THE CREASES GETTING PAINTED, THE LAWNS ARE BEING MOWED. EDEN PARK IS GEARING UP FOR A GREAT CLASH AGAINST AUSTRALIA. DEAN, QUITE A QUICK TURNAROUND. HOW ARE THE BOYS FEELING AHEAD OF THE MATCH? REALLY EXCITED. LOOKING TO PUT IN A GOOD PERFORMANCE TONIGHT AND INPUT TO SUNDAY FOR THE DECIDER HOPEFULLY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE BLACK CAPS TO BE HERE PLAYING AUSTRALIA? IT IS HUGE. YOU ALWAYS WANT TO PLAY AGAINST AUSTRALIA. THERE IS A REASON WHY THEY HOLD TWO OF THE WORLD TROPHIES AT THE MOMENT. ANY TIME WE PLAY, IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT GAME. TRENT BOULT IS BACK QUITE A NICE ADDITION. HAPPY TO ALWAYS WELCOME HIM BACK. HE IS WORLD-CLASS, GREATS HAVE AROUND THE TOP. HUGE FOR OUR TEAM, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HIM PLAY. WHAT IS THE GO BEFORE A NIGHT MATCH? SOME WILL GO OUT AND PLAY SOME GOLF, SOME WILL RELAX AT THE HOTEL, AND HAVE WARM-UPS AND WORK INTO IT. IT IS A QUICK TURNAROUND. WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO GET THE GUYS GOING. EDEN PARK, HOW GOOD IS IT TO BE BACK HERE? SO GOOD. THE ATMOSPHERE IS ALWAYS GREAT HERE. SOUNDS AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT CROWD. REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. WE ARE OUT IN THE MIDDLE, DEAN. I HAVE A BET HERE, AND YOU HAVE SOME BALLS. WE GOING TO BIT OF A COACHING SESSION. WE WON'T STEP ON THE CREASE BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT MY FOOTPRINTS ON IT. 70 M YOU NEED TO CLEAR A SIX. NOT BAD. I NEED TO UNDO THE BUTTON THE MORE RANGE OF MOTION. FLICKED IT OVER. WATCH THE BALL. STAY AWAY FROM THE CAMERA. LITTLE BIT HIGH. HERE WE GO, THIS IS IT. OH, NO! WE MIGHT GET A SINGLE. COME ON DOWN. LET'S BEAT THESE AUSSIES. DEAN, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. YOU HAVE MANAGED TO KICK GOALS AT EDEN PARK, YOU HAVE MANAGED TO ATTEMPT SET BOUNDARIES AT EDEN PARK. IS ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT EDEN PARK? YOU ARE LIVING OUT EVERY YOUNG ATHLETES FANTASIES OUT THERE. IF SEVEN YEAR OLD LOCKEY COULD TELL THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE AT EDEN PARK DOING ALL THAT STUFF, THAT IS SO CALL. YOU WILL NEVER GET SICK OF THE SITE. THE MORE THE MERRIER. WE CAN'T PLAY NETBALL ON GRASS, CAN WE? YES, YOU CAN. HE IS LIVING THE DREAM. LOVING YOUR WORK. TIPTOE OFF THE GRASS. E HAERE AKE NEI ` MOANA FESTIVAL HAS REACHED AUCKLAND. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WATER, FOOD, BOATING, BUT YOU CAN ALSO ENJOY THE MUSIC FROM ONE OF NEW ZEALAND'S MOST WELL-KNOWN POP GROUPS. OH! GOOD MORNING. I AM MEGAN. I AM JOE, AND I AM ERICA. # TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT # WE MAKE LOVE TILL THE END. THE MOANA FESTIVAL HAS PLENTY OF BOATS AND KAI, AND SOME MERPEOPLE AND THERE'S SOME STELLAR ENTERTAINMENT. MUSICIANS WILL BE PERFORMING THROUGHOUT THE NEXT 30 DAYS, AND ONE OF THE OPENING ACTS IS CAUSING QUITE A STIR. THEY'RE POP PRINCESSES. THEY ARE OF COURSE TRUE BLISS, AND THEY'RE REUNITING AFTER 25 YEARS. DANIEL. AFTER 25 YEARS. LOOK WHO IS HERE FROM POP STARS. I AM GETTING TO HANG OUT WITH THE TRUE BLISS. LADIESTHANK YOU FOR COMING ON THIS MORNING YOU ARE PART OF THE AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND OCEAN FESTIVAL. IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS, AND YOU ARE BACK. DID WE REALLY GO AWAY? WE DIDN'T REALLY GO AWAY, BUT WE ARE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS SINCE POP STAR STARTED, SO WE ARE CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF WHEN SHIP AND SINGING TOGETHER. AND MISS JEFF. MISHIEF. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR. AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN FILM AND TELEVISION. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN LIVING IN SOUTHLAND, AND ATTEST BEEN AMAZING DOING RADIO FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS. I WANTED TO START A NEW CAREER, AND I WANTED TO DO POLE DANCING. I HAVE A HUSBAND IN TAUPO NOW, AND I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 15 YEARS. I JUST HAD TO KNEE REPLACEMENT, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MY DANCING IS GOING TO BE. I'VE GOT THREE CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 29 AND 19. I WENT FROM SINGING INTO THE CORPORATE WORLD, WORKING FOR IAN NEW AIR NEW ZEALAND* AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN THIS. I RECENTLY GOT ENGAGED. CONGRATULATIONS. WHEN PEOPLE COME DOWN AND SEE YOU GUYS? WE ARE PERFORMING THIS EVENING AT 7 PM. THE STAGES RIGHT BEHIND US THERE. WE WILL BE DOING A ONE HOUR SET. IT AS GOODBYE FROM ME. I'VE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME HERE. THE FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY OPENS AT 6 PM. GET DOWN HERE TO WIN AND QUARTER FOR THE OCEAN FESTIVAL. I'M GOING TO SAY GOODBYE AND LEAVE YOU WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM TRUE BLESS. # YESTERDAY # KEEPS HAUNTING ME # SEEING YOU WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S SMILE. # CLOSE MY EYES # TO PICTURE PERFECT RAIN. # GOD, PLEASE TAKE AWAY THIS PAIN. # LOVE ME. # PLEASE LOVE ME TONIGHT. # HOLD ME. # I NEED YOUR LOVE TONIGHT. # DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON MY HEART. THE NOSTALGIA. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT MONDAY. CAPTIONS BY MAIA CARR HEKE, BILLY GARRATT-JOHN, DREW WELSH AND COURTNEY SOLE. CAPTIONS WERE MADE WITH THE SUPPORT OF NZ ON AIR. WWW.ABLE.CO.NZ COPYRIGHT ABLE 2024