Morning Report

1 News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter join Morning Report for this week's sports panel.

For weeks we've been hearing from listeners about the increase in their power bills going into winter. Now big power companies will now need to offer households and small businesses cheaper rates for off-peak electricity. Meridian CEO Mike Roan spoke to John Campbell.

The All Blacks are gearing up to face off against France in the first game in the Nations Championship. They'll play in front of a sold-out Te Kaha stadium in Christchurch tomorrow night. Starting prop Fletcher Newell spoke to John Campbell.

Some residents on Auckland's North Shore are worried a proposed new development will be pushed through the fast-track process without locals getting a say. Devonport Heritage chairwoman Margot McRae spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Residents of Auckland's central suburbs have come out swinging against a plan that could see 15 storey apartment blocks next to the historic villas and bungalows in places like Mt Eden, Kingsland and Epsom. Matthew Theunissen reports.

An early morning sports news update.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

Hundreds of early childhood centres will soon offer a new language development programme to give children the skills they need before they start school. Education Minister Erica Stanford spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Ministry of Social Development's boss is defending linking staff performance with cutting emergency housing numbers, saying it's executing the government's policy. Chief executive Debbie Power says her staff know the decisions they make have a big impact on the people asking for help and those who are eligible for assistance will get it. Political reporter Lauren Crimp sat down with Power to ask why staff are being measured against targets to cut the number of people in emergency housing.

The Ministry of Social Development's boss is defending linking staff performance with cutting emergency housing numbers, saying it's executing the government's policy. Tuwhenuaora Natanahira spoke to homeless people in central Auckland.