Christmas and New Year's leave has been cancelled for military personnel set to cover for striking from non-uniform staff.

The Defence Minister last month invoked the Defence Act, letting uniformed servicemen and woman fill the gaps.

Advocacy group Mission Homefront has written to Judith Collins - saying that's unprecedented and unacceptable.

Co-founder Hayden Ricketts says uniformed staff already give so much.

"You know, those uniformed staff have worked their butts off during the Covid-19 response, they occupied and looked after our country and MIQ and the managed isolation facilities, they've done their best through Cyclone Gabrielle."

LISTEN ABOVE

Christmas and New Year's leave has been cancelled for military personnel set to cover for striking from non-uniform staff.
The Defence Minister last month invoked the Defence Act, letting uniformed servicemen and woman fill the gaps.
Advocacy group Mission Homefront has written to Judith Collins - saying that's unprecedented and unacceptable.
Co-founder Hayden Ricketts says uniformed staff already give so much.
"You know, those uniformed staff have worked their butts off during the Covid-19 response, they occupied and looked after our country and MIQ and the managed isolation facilities, they've done their best through Cyclone Gabrielle."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Hayden Ricketts: Mission Homefront co-founder on Christmas leave getting cancelled for military personnel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/aea72a84-e93a-4111-998e-b244004351d4/transcript