Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

More overstaying migrants have been found to be living in inhumane conditions. 

Several overstayers have been found in a backyard shantytown in West Auckland, living in makeshift sheds and a dilapidated caravan.

The Migrant Exploitation Relief Foundation has since filed a complaint about this case to Immigration New Zealand- and Auckland Council plans to investigate.

Foundation trustee Casey Costello says it's important that these cases of migrant exploitation are being brought to light.

"The circumstances are sad and tragic, but we have this underbelly to our workforce that is here illegally - we're not trying to protect the fact that there's illegal conduct going on - but we also want to get these investigated."

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Synlait Milk has reported an annual loss of $4.3 million, following a difficult few months for the industry.

The Canterbury-based milk processor reportedly earned $38.5 million the previous year.

Chief executive Grant Watson aims to turn the company's profit around by diversifying growth strategies and reducing internal costs.

"There's a huge amount of effort going on throughout the business to strengthen Synlait up and have it return back to being a very profitable business again."

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Australian rugby has experienced its darkest day in a while.

The Wallabies are all but out of the Rugby World Cup following their second defeat, this time to Wales with a 40-6 loss.

Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this marks the first time Australia is unlikely to pass through the World Cup group stage- but sacking Eddie Jones isn't the answer.

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The Silver Ferns haven't won any of their last five netball tests- and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is sick of the feeling.

A month on from New Zealand's worst performance at a World Cup, the Silver Ferns suffered a shock defeat to a second-tier England side in Christchurch last night.

ZB's Jason Pine recaps the loss here.

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Labour's Associate Finance spokesperson is looking on the bright side of the latest poll.

The party has fallen a further 0.3 points to 26.5 and National's dropped 1.8 points to 39.1 percent.

NZ First is up 1.9 points to 5.2 percent, reaching the necessary threshold to enter Parliament.

David Parker says it appears the left has stabilised - while National and ACT have peaked early.

"I think it's the good economic news- not just unemployment being low, but those growth figures that came out recently were higher than people expected."

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Gisborne District Council says a beloved family dog should've never been put down under its watch.

An investigation has been launched after Sarge was taken from his property on Friday and mistakenly euthanised by an animal control officer.

According to the family's social media post, he was fully chipped and in a fenced-in area.

Gisborne District Council's Nedine Thatcher-Swann says she wants to unpack exactly what's happened.

"To the whānau, we have failed them. And we sincerely apologise- and to our community, for this."

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Z Energy says demand for petrol is falling substantially, due to fuel price spikes and lifestyle changes among Kiwis.

Brent crude oil prices are at a 10-month high, with 91 fuel reaching $3.20 a litre in some parts of the country.

Retail General Manager, Andy Baird says demand for jet fuel remains strong, while the consumer market is under pressure.

"And that's, we think, just a factor of the pre-Covid piece. Consumers can work from home and they're doing that, so that's 2 or 3 trips a week they're now not taking. And of course, the weather hasn't been great either, so those weekend trips are down as well."

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Winston Peters says he doesn't feel snubbed by being the National leader's last resort.

Chris Luxon today confirmed he would work with New Zealand First post-election if absolutely necessary- but reiterates his preference is a National-Act Government.

Peters says Luxon's been under media pressure to make a call and has taken the time to make the right decision.

He says he'd be happy to take Luxon's call post-election.

"I'm a courteous person, as you know. Of course I'll talk to people when they want to talk to me for the right reasons- and for the country's interests."

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Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week, the Executive Director of the Taxpayer’s Union Jordan Williams steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses Christopher Luxon confirming he’ll form a Government with Winston Peters if he has to. Does it give New Zealand First more credibility? Could National lose support because of this?  

They also dissect Chris Hipkins getting into attack mode but ask, is it simply too late to make a difference in the polls?

Heather asks the panel what they made of the debates last week and whether they’ll change any minds.

Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including National’s speed limits promise and Labour’s climate manifesto.  

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week, the Executive Director of the Taxpayer’s Union Jordan Williams steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses Christopher Luxon confirming he’ll form a Government with Winston Peters if he has to. Does it give New Zealand First more credibility? Could National lose support because of this?  

They also dissect Chris Hipkins getting into attack mode but ask, is it simply too late to make a difference in the polls?

Heather asks the panel what they made of the debates last week and whether they’ll change any minds.

Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including National’s speed limits promise and Labour’s climate manifesto.  

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.