Midday Report
Midday Report - Te Pūrongo o te Poutūtanga is RNZ National's midday current affairs programme, hosted by Guyon Espiner. It covers news and issues from New Zealand and around the world.
Episodes
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 11 September 2026
On today's episode Orana Wild Life Park fronted up on its financial crisis in the wake of concerns about animal welfare and workplace culture at the open range zoo. Labour released its immigration policy today: we spoke to spokesman Phil Twyford about his plans to double the time migrants need to spend in New Zealand before gaining permanent residency. Paddy Gower wraps the week in politics.
Midday Sports News for 11 September 2026
Midday sports News for 11 September 2026.
Midday Rural News for 11 September 2026
News from the rural farming sector.
Politics with Guyon Espiner and Patrick Gower
A wrap of the week in politics with Guyon Espiner and Patrick Gower.
Midday Business News for 11 September 2026
News from the business sector.
Labour and NZ First announce immigration policies
Both Labour and New Zealand First have announced their immigration policies ahead of this year's election. Labour Immigration spokesperson Phil Twyford spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Orana Wildlife Park on the endangered list due to funding
Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch is in financial crisis with board co-chair Emeritus Professor Dr Ken Hughey and chief executive Rachel Haydon saying the park has a $4 million hole in its budget and cash reserves set to run out early next year. Emeritus Professor Dr Ken Hughey, co-chair of the board at Orana Wildlife Park spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 10 September
Dr Carwyn Jones on ACTs plans to scrap Waitangi Tribunal; Researchers warn children are paying the price for junk food; Latest news from the United States.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Latest news from the United States
The latest news from the United States with Jagruti Dave in Washington DC.
Midday rural news
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Researchers warn children are paying the price for junk food
Children are paying the price for the government's inaction on junk food - that's according to researchers behind a new report which looks at what New Zealanders are eating. A group of more than 40 public health experts says the government has made virtually no progress on food policy in the past three years, despite recommending the same fixes at the last two elections. Dr Sally Mackay is a
Dr Carwyn Jones on ACTs plans to scrap Waitangi Tribunal
The ACT Party wants to complete all remaining historic Treaty claims, and scrap the Waitangi Tribunal once they're wrapped up. Leader David Seymour says the Tribunal has changed a lot since it was set up in 1975, and now passes judgement on day-to-day government policies. Dr Carwyn Jones is the head lecturer for Maori Laws and Philosophy at Te Wananga o Raukawa and spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natana
Midday Report Essentials for 9 September 2026
Ten thousand public servants on strike across the country: demanding pay rises that keep up with the cost of living ... The PSA joined Guyon Espiner to respond to the government's claim that they are just politicking ahead of the election Labour releases its AI strategy: tech spokesman Reuben Davidson told Guyon how they plan to keep the bots at bay. And Financial Times journalist Robin Wiggl
Midday sports news for 9 September 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports teams.
Latest news from Australia
The latest news from Australia with correspondent Amanda Copp in Canberra.
How does the bond market work and why should we care?
Robin Wigglesworth, author of a new book called "A Fabulous Debt: The Epic Story of How Bonds Built the Modern World" spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday rural news for 9 September 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news for 9 September 2026
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Labour’s new prompt for better AI regulation
Labour has released its AI policy today. It includes an Office of AI to coordinate policy across government, a new online safety regulator, stronger copyright laws and what it says will be clear rules for data centres so households aren't left carrying the cost. Labour's science and tech spokesman Reuben Davidson spoke to Guyon Espiner.
PSA explains why 10,000 public servants will strike today
More than 10,000 public servants will down tools in a strike taking place over more than a dozen town centres today. The public servants are demanding pay rises that keep up with the cost of living. Public Service Association National Secretary Duane Leo spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 8 September 2026
On today's episode on the back of the latest political poll showing both National and Labour below 30%, the so-called major parties have rolled out new election policies this morning. RNZ's political editor Craig McCulloch joined me with the details. Tickets for the Warrior's game this Saturday went on sale at midday and sold out in minutes. One NZ Warriors chief executive Cameron George join
Midday Sports News for 8 September 2026
Midday Sports News for 8 September 2026.
Latest news from the United States
The latest news from the United States with Jagruti Dave in Washington DC.
Midday Rural News for 8 September 2026
News from the rural farming sector.
Midday Business News for 8 September 2026
News from the business sector.
NZ Warriors boss discusses this weekend’s home game
Tickets for the Warriors' NRL play-off match this weekend went on sale on Tuesday. Cameron George, chief executive of the NZ Warriors spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira.
Craig McCulloch discusses National’s policy announcement
Craig McCulloch spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira following National's policy announcement.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 7 September
Cameron Bagrie discusses Green's KiwiMart announcement; Mortgage expert discusses National's new first homebuyer policy; Why are voters increasingly turning to the smaller parties?
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Why are voters increasingly turning to the smaller parties?
For the first time, both National and Labour have dropped below 30 percent in a political poll. The latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll came out this morning, with Labour down 1.9 points to 25.9 percent, and National down two points to 29 percent. Robert MacCulloch, a professor of economics at the University of Auckland spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Latest news from Australia
The latest news from Australia with correspondent Amanda Copp in Canberra.
Midday rural news
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Mortgage expert discusses National’s new first homebuyer policy
National is promising to help more people buy their first home by expanding access to the government's low-deposit scheme. The First Home Loan scheme run by Kainga Ora would allow buyers to purchase their first home with a 5 percent deposit, rather than 20 percent which most banks require. David Cunningham runs Squirrel Mortgages and spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Cameron Bagrie discusses Green’s KiwiMart announcement
Cameron Bagrie, an independent economist with Bagrie Economics spoke to Guyon Espiner following the Green Party announcement it would open KiwiMart, a government-owned alternative to the Foodstuffs and Woolworths duopoly.
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 4 September
David Seymour discusses Maori and Pacific access to med school; SPCA issues new voluntary standard for chicken welfare; How the NZ music industry is handling the rise of AI content; Political chat with Guyon Espiner and Patrick Gower
Midday sports news for 4 September 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
How the NZ music industry is handling the rise of AI content
Australia has just moved to ban AI generated music from its charts, and in the US legal action is in train as artists sue AI companies for ripping off their creative endeavours to train their bots. So how is New Zealand handling the challenge of AI in the music industry? Jo Oliver is the chief executive of Recorded Music New Zealand and spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Political chat with Guyon Espiner and Patrick Gower
Patrick Gower joins Guyon Espiner to discuss the political stories of the week.
Midday rural news for 4 September 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news for 4 September 2026
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
SPCA issues new voluntary standard for chicken welfare
The SPCA has issued a new voluntary standard for chicken welfare after questions from RNZ about fast-growing frankenchickens, as people have nicknamed them. Farah Hancock from the in depth team spoke to Guyon Espiner.
David Seymour discusses Maori and Pacific access to med school
Known as MAPAS, the Maori and Pacific Access Scheme holds back 30 percent of places in medical school for Maori and Pacific students. ACT scored a review of the MAPAS scheme in the 2023 coalition with National. That has been done but it's not been released. David Seymour spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 3 September
Latest from Pacific Islands Forum in Palau; Barbara Edmonds responds to OCR rise by Reserve Bank; Craig Stobo on his New Zealand First candidacy.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Craig Stobo on his New Zealand First candidacy
New Zealand First has announced that former Chair of the Financial Markets Authority Craig Stobo will stand for the party in the Botany Electorate at the general election. Stobo spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Latest news from the United States
The latest news from the United States with Nine News reporter Lauren Tomasi in Washington DC.
Midday rural news
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Barbara Edmonds responds to OCR rise by Reserve Bank
Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds spoke to Guyon Espiner following yesterday's raising of the official cash rate by the Reserve Bank.
Latest from Pacific Islands Forum in Palau
Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Guyon Espiner following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's press conference in Palau.
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 2 September
New Plymouth Mayor on closure of Methanex plant; Wellington mayor responds to review into Moa Point failure; Sir Crawford Falconer on the future of NZ trade policy.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Sir Crawford Falconer on the future of NZ trade policy
Trade expert Sir Crawford Falconer says New Zealand should look beyond concerns about US tariffs and the US-China trade conflict, as it considers the future of its trade policy. Sir Crawford Falconer spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Latest news from Australia
The latest news from Australia with correspondent Amanda Copp in Canberra.
Midday rural news
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Wellington mayor responds to review into Moa Point failure
The catastrophic failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant was caused by long-standing systemic failures of leadership by Wellington City Council, Wellington Water and the plant's operator Veolia, a damning report has found. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little spoke to Guyon Espiner.
New Plymouth Mayor on closure of Methanex plant
New Zealand's largest gas user Methanex has announced its Taranaki plant will close, after more than four decades in operation. The Taranaki plant employs about 300 people, who are now facing job losses. New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 1 September 2026
On today's episode kids from six months to the age of five will get free flu vaccines from today. David Seymouir responds to pharmacs decision to roll out the policy a year early. Can a new elite domestic netball competition, backed by richlister power couple Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams stem the exodus of top players overseas? National and Labour have put fuel tax rises on ice: but at what
Midday Sports News for 1 September 2026
It has been confirmed that a private ownership group will run next year's domestic netball competition.
National, Labour accused of cowardice over fuel tax pull-back
The government's plan to delay fuel tax rises sees both major parties accused of cowardice. Guyon Espiner talked with Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett.
Latest news from the United States 1 September 2026
The latest news from the United States with Nine News reporter Lauren Tomasi in Washington DC.
Midday Rural News for 1 September 2026
News from the rural farming sector.
Midday Business News for 1 September 2026
News from the business sector.
Netball NZ back private bid to run elite netball
Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray have won the right to run New Zealand's elite netball competition, Guyon Espiner talks with Pippa Moore from the Netball Players Association.
Flu vaccine to be free for six month to five-year -olds today
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced the flu vaccine will be free from today for 6 month to five-year-olds, having only welcomed the decision to fund it from 2027. He joined Guyon Espiner to explain the reversal.
Midday Report Essentials for 31 August 2026
Welcome to Midday Report essentials with Guyon Espiner. 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn more $67,000 lose access to the dole under a new law change. A top economist - Shamubeel Eaquab, says the costs outweigh the benefits and any savings will be a transfer from the poor to the crown.Later in the hour: we quizz Labour on its new promise to ensure seniors leaving retirement homes get the
Midday sports news for 31 August 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports teams.
Labour promises retirement home repayments sooner
The Labour party says it will introduce legislation which will force retirement villages to payout to seniors vacating their dwellings within three months. Guyon Espiner talks with Labour's seniors spokesperson Ingrid Leary.
Latest news from Australia
The latest news from Australia with correspondent Amanda Copp in Canberra.
Midday rural news for 31 August 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news for 31 August 2026
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub on changes to jobseeker for 18, 19-year-olds
Jobseeker payments to 18 and 19 year olds are set to end in November, economist Shamubeel Eaquab says the costs outweigh the benefits.
Pacific Island Forum begins as leaders pull out
The Pacific Island Forum is getting under way in Palau. Five leaders have pulled out, including the chair of the forum, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale who made an emergency trip home, facing a no confidence vote after just 100 days in the job. RNZ reporter Teuila Fuatai is covering the PIF in Palau.
Midday Essentials for Friday 28 August 2026
Latest on Wattle Downs suspected double homicide: A man is in police custody after a man and woman were killed in the South Auckland suburb of Wattle Downs yesterday. RNZ National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood has the latest details. Desperate race to find survivors in Northern Nepal continues: Rescuers are racing to find survivors in the flash-flood devastated areas of Northern Nepal as S
Midday sports news for 28 August 2026
An update from the RNZ sports team.
Trump renames Lake Ontario amid trade tensions with Canada
As the trade war between the United States and Canada heats up, the US president has set his sights on one of North America's Great Lakes. Donald Trump signed an executive order today changing the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America". David Moscrop is a Canadian writer who's penning a book about Canadian nationalism in the time of Trump. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.
