Holiday Breakfast

Black Caps coach Gary Stead's backing Devon Conway's class to re-emerge after a lean run with the bat in T-20 cricket internationals. 

The opener's been dismissed for a duck, 20 and seven in the three matches against Pakistan. 

It follows a three match T-20 series in England last year where he failed to score double figures. 

Stead's been asked what Conway needs to do to turn things around. 

The penultimate match of the series against Pakistan is tonight in Christchurch. 

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Civil Defence staff are standing by on the West Coast as heavy rain rolls in.  

The wet weather is expected to batter Westland and the Grey Districts, with the worst arriving around midday between Otira and inland from Haast. 

West Coast Civil Defence Te Aroha Cook told Tim Dower that staff have been deployed to emergency operation centres in Westland, Greymouth, Franz Joseph, and Haast, to manage any escalations in the situation. 

She says councils will consider a declaration if more resources are required. 

Cook says locals know the drill, and they're working to ensure tourists are aware of the risk areas. 

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The Māori Development Minister is defending the Prime Minister's decision to skip a gathering organised by the Māori King. 

The National Unity Hui is expected to bring thousands of people to Ngāruawāhia's Tūrangawaewae Marae tomorrow. 

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka told Tim Dower that it's his responsibility to go, but it's not a platform for politicians. 

He says it's primarily for those interested in the direction of the country to come together. 

ACT Party leader Davis Seymour has also said he won't be attending. 

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It was another big year for kiwi cyclist Aaron Gate. 

He took the gold at the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, claiming the second rainbow jersey of his career.  

Glasgow was the first time that all cycling events together in one location for what was deemed a ‘Super Worlds.’ 

Gate took gold in the points race, telling Dower that it was a race he had wanted to win for a very long time.  

“I wanted to be able to race with dominance.”  

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The UK’s controversial Rwanda bill seems to be causing great trouble for the Tories. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has attempted to strike a compromise, saying that they will continue to send migrants to Rwanda, but at the same time won’t circumvent the European Court of Human Rights if they try to stop them. 

He faced enormous backlash, with 60 members of his own party voting against him. 

UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Tim Dower that the bill will flounder as soon as the lawyers get a hold of it. 

He said that in a years' time, he’d be astonished if a single person has ended up in Rwanda as a consequence of the policy. 

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A fresh move to overhaul Easter trading laws. 

ACT MP Cameron Luxton has lodged a private members bill to relieve the restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. 

He says forcing businesses to close doesn't make sense for a diverse modern nation. 

Luxton told Tim Dower that this is one of those small issues that lead to a big problem. 

He said that currently there is confusion around the rules over the Easter period, and they don't allow people to enjoy their holiday break in the way they’d like. 

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There’s concern about the number of people living in dirty and unsafe conditions.  

The Public Health Communication Centre has surveyed local and regional councils and Aged Concern networks, and every single one reported cases of people living in squalor.  

It included homes cluttered in rubbish, infested by vermin, with decomposing food, and stench. 

Research lead Johnathan Jarman says living in such clutter creates a variety of risks.  

He says it creates tripping risks, delayed wound healing, and a fire risk. 

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Italy is pushing for an EU maritime security mission in the Red Sea following Houthi attacks. 

A US mission is underway in the passage as countries hope for restoration of shipping. 

Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister wants a decision by next Monday. 

Newstalk ZB Italian correspondent Jo McKenna told Tim Dower that it would help deter Houthi threats but may not be as combative as the UK and US have been. 

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A challenging time may be coming for retailers. 

Data released by Stats NZ has revealed a 2% fall in December’s spending compared to the month prior.  

Spending on consumables such as groceries experienced the smallest fall at 0.1%, while things such as furniture and clothing are down by 2% and 2.9% respectively. 

Infometrics Principal Economist, Brad Olsen, told Tim Dower that the data reflects that households are being more cautious with their spending. 

He said the 1.6% increase in November was likely caused by early Christmas shopping. 

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“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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