It may be a joke to some, but hoarding is is a serious problem for tens of thousands of New Zealanders.

An Otago University study has found 35,000 people across the country collect things on an unhealthy scale.

80 per cent of those are women, 70 per cent are single and 50 per cent have clinical depression.

Canterbury Age Concern CEO Simon Templeton is surprised by the sheer numbers found in the study.

But, he said they see severe cases of hoarding every week and it is never a laughing matter.

"It does affect every single part pf their lives. It is a mental health issue, it affects their physical health, a lot of of the people we help have been alienated by their families."

But Templeton believes it is something that can be helped.

"Psychological treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy, some studies overseas have shown group work for some people to work really well."

A number of charter schools are upset at the prospect of their contracts being cancelled.

Education Minister, Chris Hipkins is reviewing the contracts of six charter schools about to open, four of those deals signed by National just weeks before the election.

Vanguard runs a military-style charter school in Auckland and won a contract to open another one in Christchurch in 2019. Chief Executive, Nick Hyde told Mike Hosking he won't be happy if they're written off.

"We certainly think we benefit students and parents and would be disappointed to think that we've got to keep juggling or flip-flopping what we are every three years depending on who's in government." 

LISTEN ABOVE AS NICK HYDE SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The Prime Minister says TPP11 talks are walking a tightrope between signing the deal, and not undermining New Zealand's interests.

Jacinda Arden said the negotiators are working to undo what she said was a bad deal struck under the previous government.

LISTEN: Ardern's refugee offer putting Turnbull under real pressure

She said after the foreign buyers issue, negotiators are looking at the controversial Investor State Dispute Settlement clause.

Ms Ardern told Mike Hosking signing the deal would be huge for exporters.

"We've always believed that we can try our best to find a balance to pursue the interest of our exporters but at the same time we want it to maintain the position of trying to pursue New Zealand's best interest."

 

LISTEN ABOVE AS JACINDA ARDERN SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

The government plans to stop price gouging on school uniforms by taking a closer look at schools' finances.

READ MORE: Crackdown on 'covert' school fundraising

Education Minister, Chris Hipkins said state schooling should be free, so that every child gets a shot at a full education, regardless of their parents' ability to pay.

He told Mike Hosking that means a crackdown on covert fundraising.

"When we compare the cost of uniforms in different schools the huge variation in cost suggests there is definitely something happening there."

LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS HIPKINS SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

He is the former coach of the British and Irish Lions who was subjected to harsh criticism when he brought the team to his homeland of New Zealand earlier this year.

Now Warren Gatland is speaking about his experiences in his new book, In the Line of Fire. He talks to Mike Hosking about the challenges of the tour and what his plans are for the future.

LISTEN TO WARREN GATLAND TALK TO MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

A step into the unknown for the country's universities, after Labour announced first time tertiary students won't pay any fees next year, and by 2024, three years of training or study will be free.

Universities New Zealand represents the views of the eight institutions.

It's unsure how many more people will want to go to uni, as first year fees get wiped from next year.

Executive director Chris Whelan said participation rates have increased dramatically in the last 20 years and universities don't actually know how much their enrollment numbers will change.

"We're not sure. What we don't know how is how much unmet demand there is out there, international evidence suggests generally there is 5-10 er cent of the population who are reluctant to take out a loan." 

However, economic changes mean more New Zealanders might need university degrees and Whelan believes tertiary institutions have to keep up with the changing nature of work.

However, targeting it to the five to ten percent of people who can't afford it would be more efficient.

"It's not necessarily the best way of lifting participation rate but obviously it's the policy the government was elected on and we'll be working with the government to implement it."

LISTEN ABOVE TO CHRIS WHELAN TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING

UPDATE 3.02pm: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has reconfirmed New Zealand’s offer to Australia to take 150 refugees who have been subject to the offshore processing legislation.

The refugees are living without access to fresh drinking water, have been attacked with machetes and are continuing to be refused entry to Australia.

600 are so scared for their own safety they're refusing to leave the closed down detention centre.

“New Zealand’s offer comes from within our existing refugee quota and applies to refugees on both Manus Island and Nauru," she said.

“I expect that the situation on Manus Island will be discussed in my meeting with Prime Minister Turnbull on Sunday. I intend to reaffirm our offer when we meet. 

“I acknowledge that, while New Zealand has not had to contend with these issues on our shores, it’s hard to ignore the human face of this situation and nor should it be ignored.

“New Zealand will also maintain its right to use its robust screening processes for the Refugee Quota programme, regardless of the origin of the refugees. This will safeguard against any security concerns.”  

Refugee Council Australia spokesperson Tim O'Connor hopes Jacinda Ardern can shame the Australian government into action.

"This govt is beyond embarrassment, the intl focus on this has clearly targeted the Australian government and saying 'how ridiclous?'" he said.

"It's a very welcome gesture by New Zealand, it's a recognition that these men are in desperate situations and it's crazy if they don't take this deal."

LISTEN ABOVE AS TIM O'CONNOR SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING

There are expectations that Australia will take up New Zealand's offer to take 150 Manus Island refugees, an offer they've so far refused to take up.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will cross the ditch to meet counterpart Malcolm Turnbull this weekend with the issue expected to be discussed.

Australian correspondent Murray Olds told Mike Hosking both major parties in Australia have washed their hands of the refugees.

"It's going to be very interesting when Prime Minister Ardern gets over here this weekend and says to Malcolm Turnbull 'we will take some of these people from you'."

Murray Olds says that could leave Mr Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten politically exposed.

LISTEN TO MURRAY OLDS TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

The man behind a bid to take premium Dunedin chocolate to the world is confident he'll reach an ambitious crowd-funding target.

Jim O'Malley is one of four Dunedin Manufacturing Holdings directors who will lead and grow the Otago Chocolate Company over the next 12 months.

The group, who tried to save Dunedin's Cadbury factor, will meet as a board for the first time today.

They want to raise $2 million through crowd funding to buy the company from founder Liz Rowe.

O'Malley told Mike Hosking it's an exciting couple of weeks ahead.

"We're going to go out to pledge environment on the 13th of November and I don't think it will take more than two days to get the $2 million we're asking for. Then this whole thing would have turned from an idea into a company."

He said it will be very high quality chocolate.

"So when we go to places like China, we're basically selling that whole concept of high quality, New Zealand traceability, all that stuff, and sustainability."

The company hopes to produce a tonne of chocolate a day.

LISTEN TO JIM O'MALLEY TALK TO MIKE HOSKING ABOVE

Ports of Auckland says it will take decades to move the port to another city, so it needs a plan.

A 30 year draft master plan for the waterfront is being released today.

It includes a five storey carpark with a public rooftop park, as well as a 13 metre extension to Bledisloe Wharf.

READ MORE: 30 year plan unveiled for Ports of Auckland

Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson said significant growth is happening in Auckland and the port could outgrow its current footprint, so they want to leave a legacy for Aucklanders if and when the port moves.

"What we're trying to do is with the port development is ensure that what we put on the port is iconic in nature and that therefore if and when we do move, we leave a legacy for Aucklanders.

"In the meantime, we need a plan and what we need to do is to ensure Aucklanders can get the the things on the shelves they need and expect."

 LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY GIBSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING