Midday Report

The Wellington Phoenix women will play their second A-League game in four days when they take on Adelaide United in another must win game in Porirua tonight. 

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Retailer, The Warehouse, has reported a first half year loss with sales down 5 percent, with the sale of Torpedo7 taking a toll on the bottom line.

Anan Zaki has the business news.

A disability advocate says they are repeatedly missed out from the consultation process about changes that directly affect their quality of life.

The Ministry of Disabled People's made a shock announcement on Monday morning which restricts the way funding can be spent on respite care, out of town accommodation, travel and food, and support technologies.

Disability advocate and lawyer Huhana Hickey spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Dairy and Business Owners' Group say startling new retail crime figures should be a wake-up call for the government that action is urgently needed.

Police data released to the group shows retail crime tripled in three years - from just over 50,000 crimes reported in 2020, to almost 149,000 crimes in 2023.

That averages out to more than 400 crimes reported a day in 2023, at locations such as dairies, service stations, supermarkets, shops, bottle stores and restaurants.

Dairy and Business Owners' Group chairman Sunny Kaushal says violence against staff is common; last year, six retailers a day were assaulted at work, and sexual assaults were occurring too.

Kaushall spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Dentists are continuing to campaign for a ban on sugary drinks in schools after the previous government left them hanging.

The Labour Government considered a ban but deferred it until after the election.

The Dental Association, now wants the new ministers to put the ban in place for all intermediate and secondary schools.

Dental Association president Amanda Johnston spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The chair of the West Coast Regional Council says a contentious dump near Greymouth's water treatment plant can't be automatically shut down.

On Monday, the Grey District Council issued a call for the regional council to revoke all the consents for the Taylorville Resource Park in Coal Creek, near Greymouth, after an EPA investigation found the discharge of some contaminated water.

Regional council chair Peter Haddock says the EPA has given the dump three months to correct its water storage operation, and the council needs to follow due process.

Haddock spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Some exporters are happy with the fast tracking of the EU free-trade deal saying it means they'll benefit from tariff removals this season, while others say the rushed process means issues won't be worked through. 

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

All Whites striker Chris Wood has pulled out from the New Zealand side for upcoming internationals after suffering a injury in Nottingham Forest's recent draw with fellow relegation strugglers Luton Town.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Souring consumer sentiment has hit the bottom line of outdoor goods retailer KMD Brands, posting a near $10 million interim loss, with revenue down almost 15 percent.

Anan Zaki has the business news.

Parents and whānau of people with disabilities are in shock and extremely disappointed by sudden limitations to funding - stopping people from using it for transport, food or accommodation for support workers.

The department issued the new rules on Monday, surprising the disability community without consultation or warning.

The Ministry says the funding is not being cut, but what it can be spent on has been cut significantly.

Ian Perry's son is in a electric wheelchair and has significant disabilities.

Perry spoke to Charlotte Cook.