Family members who care for disabled loved ones won't give up the fight to be fairly recognised and compensated for the work they do.

They want the law brought in by then-Health Minister Tony Ryall in 2013 to be repealed, which limits family carers to minimum wage.

Lawyer, Simon Judd told Mike Hosking family carers just want to be respected and recognised.

"If you've got a family member who cannot feed themselves, cannot look after themselves, cannot bath themselves, cannot be left by themselves, it is a full time job to look after them. All the time somebody needs to be with that person."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON JUDD SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The Tax Working Group may consider alternative taxes to shake up the system, without increasing the overall amount of tax paid.

The government has set up the group chaired by former Finance Minister Sir Michael Cullen.

He told Mike Hosking New Zealand has a narrow range of taxes compared to other countries.

"There is increasing questions about whether we should make greater use of taxes designed to alter behaviour and obviously environmental taxes, there's been a bit of talk about a sugar tax, whether that would help obesity."

He says while there some exclusions including income tax and GST, it's a comprehensive look at where we can improve.

"Basically what we have go to think about is how do we have a tax system which is both fairer and capable of flexing one way or another, according to democratic choices of what size of government people want to have."

The Tax Working Group will start taking submissions from the end of next month before reporting back to government.

LISTEN ABOVE AS SIR MICHAEL CULLEN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

Two anti-establishment figures are now in the running to become Italy's new prime minister.

The anti-EU Five Star Movement has emerged as the largest party after a strong performance in yesterday's election.

However, Silvio Berlusconi's anti-immigration coalition has the largest share of the vote.

Rome correspondent Jo McKenna told Mike Hosking the leaders of both groups are claiming the right to rule.

"Luigi Di Maio wants to be Prime Minister. Matteo Salvini, the head of the league, is in a stronger position because he's part of that centre-right coalition."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JO MCKENNA SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The US President's attempt to protect America's aluminium and steel producers is being met with confusion and uncertainty.

Donald Trump announced last week the US would apply a tariff of 25 percent on imported steel, and 10 percent on aluminium to protect domestic producers.

The move triggered a slide in stock markets.

JMIS Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking traders, economists and commentators are a bit confused.

"There is an element of uncertainty as to how Trump views this issue, as he seems to associate in his language a trade deficit to losing money. No one is actually losing money there is just an imbalance."

Agreement from the secondary teachers union that changes need to be made to NCEA.

The business think tank the New Zealand Initiative has called up external exams after finding the system's failing young people.

It found the system doesn't guarantee basic literacy or numeracy skills and that Maori and Pasifika teens are funnelled into non-academic subjects.

PPTA president Jack Boyle admits flexibility's led to inequity for some students and told Mike Hosking there are recommendations he agrees with.

"You really want your compulsory schooling to give baseline skills, you know a foundation of skills, to whatever your pathway forward is, whether that's vocational, ongoing study, employment.

A week of political announcements is lined up as the Prime Minister leads a delegation to the Pacific Islands.

Jacinda Ardern has touched down in Samoa, where she'll make a joint announcement later today with her Samoan counterpart.

The trip is being dubbed the 'Pacific reset', with Foreign Minister Winston Peters earlier promising to embark on a new strategy with New Zealand's Pacific neighbours.

Political Reporter Gia Garrick told Mike Hosking details remain unclear about Mr Peters' plans.

"On top of the speech she gave in Australia on Friday we don't know anymore than that and we are all waiting to hear."

There's optimism that New Zealand could follow Australia's lead and effectively eliminate cervical cancer within the next four decades.

New research from across the Tasman shows a dramatic decline in the rate of HPV from 24 percent to just one percent, in the last decade.

Cancer Society Medical Director Chris Jackson told Mike Hosking while our immunisation rate is slightly lower than Australia's and we too could follow a similar trend.

"If we can indeed get HPV levels down that low that we may well see a near disappearance of HPV related cancers."

Mr Jackson also said we need to catch up with Australia when it comes to our national vaccination program.

"Australia are getting about 73% of their girls and boys vaccinated. New Zealand's figures are around 69% and 64% so we could be doing better."

The pressure is on for Kiwis who are among filmmakers set to take the red carpet at the Oscars.

Weta Workshop's nominated for its work on 'War for the Planet of the Apes' while Maori actress Keala Settle sings a nominated song from 'The Greatest Showman'

New Zealander Anthony McCarten wrote 'Darkest Hour' which is up for Best Picture.

He told Mike Hosking the Oscars are the holy grail for film makers, but says the award season - we've already had the Golden Globes and the Baftas - can be intense.

"It's unrelenting, it's like running for office in a major political campaign. You never forget that you are very fortunate to be there."

The US President's attempt to protect America's aluminium and steel producers is being met with confusion and uncertainty.

Donald Trump announced last week the US would apply a tariff of 25 percent on imported steel, and 10 percent on aluminium to protect domestic producers.

The move triggered a slide in stock markets.

JMIS Director Andrew Kelleher told Mike Hosking traders, economists and commentators are a bit confused.

"There is an element of uncertainty as to how Trump views this issue, as he seems to associate in his language a trade deficit to losing money. No one is actually losing money there is just an imbalance."

Agreement from the secondary teachers union that changes need to be made to NCEA.

The business think tank the New Zealand Initiative has called up external exams after finding the system's failing young people.

It found the system doesn't guarantee basic literacy or numeracy skills and that Maori and Pasifika teens are funnelled into non-academic subjects.

PPTA president Jack Boyle admits flexibility's led to inequity for some students and told Mike Hosking there are recommendations he agrees with.

"You really want your compulsory schooling to give baseline skills, you know a foundation of skills, to whatever your pathway forward is, whether that's vocational, ongoing study, employment.