“Try to keep on the straight and narrow.” 

That'll be one of the messages at the annual National Party caucus kicking off in Christchurch this morning. 

On the agenda is issues such as how to act in a coalition and expectations for MPs. 

Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan told Tim Dower that with many new MPs in the team, Christopher Luxon will be giving them the "hard word" about staying out of trouble. 

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After-effects of Covid-19 pandemic school decisions are being blamed for dropping NCEA results.  

Provisional results indicate pass rates dropped for a third consecutive year. 

Almost 50,000 students had accessed their results by late yesterday evening. 

Secondary Principals' Association President Vaughan Couillault told Tim Dower that it's not entirely unexpected given the gaps in knowledge teachers have uncovered since Covid. 

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Ellesse Andrews is heading into the New Year with a lot of momentum behind her.

The kiwi track cyclist is coming off the back of a massive win at the UCI Track Champions League, taking the crown for the Women's sprint. 

"Looking back on it now," She told Dower. "It was a really crazy year."

"It's a bit of a blur, so much was going on."

Andrews said that, especially when it came to the final straight in the Championships, you're just trying to put every bit of your energy into your bike.

"It's definitely nerve wracking coming down that final straight."

With the 2024 Olympics looming on the horizon, Andrews told Dower that the coming months are going to fly by.

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Festival season has seen multiple drug overdoses in Australia, with some victims left in critical condition, and eight in induced comas. 

Victoria’s Premier is seeking advice on pill testing, which is not currently legal in that state.  

Australian Correspondent Murray Olds told Tim Dower that they’re looking for a way out of the corner they’ve painted themselves into. 

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A warning to the Government from one EV leader: if the Government doesn't put measures in place, the clean car market will slow right down. 

It comes as the Government has confirmed that owners of EVs and Plug-in Hybrids will pay road user charges from April. 

Drive Electric Chair Kirsten Corson told Tim Dower that the move will slow EV uptake —which is disappointing— and will have flow-on effects for New Zealand meeting its climate goals. 

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It's been a quick turnaround for Donald Trump, from a victory speech to defamation trial.  

The former President has won a landslide victory in Iowa, the first vote in the Republican race to the White House.  

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that Trump is now in New York, where he's being sued for $10 million in defamation damages by E Jean Carroll for a second time, over statements he made in 2019. 

The jury selection is underway. 

Arnold says Trump wants to testify in his own defence and claims he doesn't know who she is.  

Trump has previously been found liable for sexually abusing Carroll. 

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Students are being urged to remember it's not the end of the world if they don't get the exam results that they wanted.  

NCEA results will be released online today.  

More than 160,000 students will be able to see their provisional results and whether they've been awarded course endorsements, a certificate endorsement, or university entrance.  

PPTA acting president Chris Abercrombie told Tim Dower that students should see what happens and be proud of the work they've put in.  

He says there's always plenty of options available for future education, training, and employment, and students should set up a plan for the future if they need. 

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The Justice Minister is standing firm on the Government's decision to rule out lowering the voting age. 

Reducing the age from 18 to 16 is one of 140 final recommendations just released by the Independent Electoral Review. 

Advocates say they're incredibly disappointed the Government is rejecting the idea. 

But Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith told Tim Dower that keeping the voting age at 18 is appropriate. 

He says it aligns with the system treating people younger than 18 very differently to those regarded as adults. 

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It's being suggested that a systemic, cultural problem exists with the abuse politicians face.   

Golriz Ghahraman resigned from parliament yesterday after three allegations of shoplifting, claiming work stress has affected her mental health.  

Green Party co-leader James Shaw says she faced continuous sexual and physical threats. 

Former Green MP Gareth Hughes told Tim Dower that the abuse Ghahraman received was horrific.  

He says when he was a politician he got a little bit of abuse, but as a white man in Parliament he only got a fraction of what she got.  

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Dairy prices are continuing to rise. 

Overall prices are up 2.3% in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction overnight, the fourth consecutive rise this summer. 

Prices are down about a third from the record high reached in March 2022 but up about a quarter on the low reached in August last year. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says told Tim Dower that it's a positive sign. 

He says the index is now at its highest level in almost 12 months, which points to some kind of recovery. 

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