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 24 July
Felicity Roxburgh responds to Trump's latest tariffs on NZ; Campaign spotlights medicines patients can't access; Rose Horowitch on why fewer people are reading.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Rose Horowitch on why fewer people are reading
In America, gambling has officially become a more common leisure activity than reading, with 57 percent of adults placing a bet over the past year. Fewer than half had read a book of any kind. Rose Horowitch is a staff writer for the Atlantic and her feature - The End of Reading - is going viral. Horowitch spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Political chat with Patrick Gower and Guyon Espiner
Weekly chat about the week in politics with Patrick Gower and Guyon Espiner.
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.
Campaign spotlights medicines patients can't access
This weekend, Auckland's Shed 10 is hosting the Forbidden Pharmacy. The installation shows the medicines that patients may need but can't access because they are not funded by Pharmac. Blood Cancer NZ CEO Tim Edmonds is one of the key players in the campaign and spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Felicity Roxburgh responds to Trump's latest tariffs on NZ
The Trump administration claims New Zealand is one of 60-plus countries not doing enough to stop forced labour. As a result, a new tariff takes effect at 4pm today. Felicity Roxburgh, Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 23 July
Political Editor Jo Moir discusses Stuart Nash resignation; AI controlled drone missile that could reshape modern warfare; 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 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.
AI controlled drone missile that could reshape modern warfare
Earlier this month, a drone powered by artificial intelligence, launched a missile in the Mojave Desert in the United States, in a test that experts say could reshape modern warfare. WJ Hennigan has written about this. He covers national security for The New York Times. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Political Editor Jo Moir discusses Stuart Nash resignation
Stuart Nash resigned as a New Zealand First candidate last night after calling the National MP Katie Nimon the laziest MP he'd come across, when she had taken time off for maternity leave. Stuart Nash said last night that a private message he had sent became a "significant distraction" and led him to resign from NZ First. But Labour is asking where that leaves the Prime Minister, who the part
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 22 July
Paul Fuge on the state of New Zealand's energy sector; Climate Change Commission boss discusses latest report; Book warns New Zealand's integrity is eroding.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Book warns New Zealand's integrity is eroding
A new book called Facing Up to Our Future says New Zealand's clean-government reputation is quietly eroding. One of the book's contributors, Philipa Yasbek 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.
Climate Change Commission boss discusses latest report
A new report from the Climate Change Commission says we risk missing all of our climate targets and time to get back on track is running out. Jo Hendy, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Commission spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Paul Fuge on the state of New Zealand’s energy sector
A big jolt yesterday in the inflation figures, showing electricity prices had surged 12 percent in the past year. Today Entrust, which is the majority owner of Vector, New Zealand's largest distributor of electricity and gas, said the market was failing to deliver either reliability or affordability. Paul Fuge worked in the power industry for 30 years and now runs Powerswitch which is Consume
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Helen Clark discusses her visit to the West Bank
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies that are causing Palestine to disappear in plain sight. Clark travelled to the West Bank with The Elders, an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, alongside former Irish president Mary Robinson. Helen Clark 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.
Tina Porou discusses scrapping of iwi council agreements
The Government has decided that existing agreements between councils and local iwi will be scrapped under its new resource management reforms. The agreements, called Mana Whakahono a Rohe, were deals between an iwi and a council setting out how iwi would contribute to local decision-making. The government says scrapping them ensures all New Zealanders are treated equally. Tina Porou is a Kaup
Brad Olsen discusses latest inflation figures
Annual inflation has reached its highest level in more than two years as fuel prices surged due to the US-Iran war. Brad Olsen spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 20 July
Energy Resources Aotearoa boss backs new NZ First policy; Camila Belich discusses consent law change; Spanish expat living in Auckland reacts to World Cup win.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Camila Belich discusses consent law change
National is promising to modernise laws on sexual consent, saying there must be consent before sex every time, rather than assuming it has been given. Both Labour and Greens have called out the National party for walking away from cross party support on the issue. Labour's justice spokesperson Camila Belich 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.
Energy Resources Aotearoa boss backs new NZ First policy
NZ First is promising to spend $1 billion of taxpayer money to survey offshore oil and gas reserves. The policy move has been backed by John Carnegie of Energy Resources Aotearoa which represents explorers, producers, sellers and users of oil and gas. Carnegie spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Spanish expat living in Auckland reacts to World Cup win
Laia Sastre, a Spanish expat living in Auckland spoke to Guyon Espiner following Spain's win in the FIFA World Cup final.
Midday Report Essentials for 17 July 2026
Welcome to Midday Report essentials with Guyon Espiner. In today's episode: New Zealand moves towards free trade talks with Switzerland, but, are we locked in? Trade expert Charles Finny joined us. Without military enforcement, are trade agreements are just stacks of paper? Retired general John Howard put his case. Paddy Gower joined me for his take on the week in politics, and RNZ's deputy p
Midday sports news for 17 July 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Craig McCulloch discusses Winston Peters’ ferry announcement
RNZ's Deputy Political Editor, Craig McCulloch discusses today's ferry announcement from Winston Peters
Political chat with Patrick Gower and Guyon Espiner
Weekly chat about the week in politics with Patrick Gower and Guyon Espiner.
Midday rural news for 17 July 2026
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Midday business news for 17 July 2026
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Retired General says NZ needs to replace ageing frigates
General John Howard, a retired military leader who was Chief of Defence Intelligence for the New Zealand Defence Force says New Zealand needs to replace its two ageing frigates Te Mana and Te Kaha. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Charles Finney discusses trade negotiations with Switzerland
Switzerland looks set to be the next cab off the rank in trade negotiations with New Zealand. A deal with Switzerland is part of National's push for trade deals with seven new countries across five continents. Charles Finney is an expert on international trade and was responsible for launching the China-New Zealand FTA as New Zealand's lead negotiator on the deal. Finney spoke to Guyon Espine
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 16 July
Nigel French discusses arrival of bird flu in New Zealand; Australia to open an Office of AI; US introduces testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers; Roy Pilott reacts to England's loss against Argentina.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Australia to open an Office of AI
Australia will establish an Office of AI at the heart of government that will address AI's impact on climate change, energy, education, jobs, copyright, and defence. Dr Andrew Lensen, a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Guyon Espiner.
US introduces testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers
A lack of testosterone might not be the first thing that comes to mind if considering weaknesses in the American military. But Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has other ideas. He has announced that the Department of Defense will offer testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers. CNN's Kevin Liptak spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday business news
The latest news from RNZ's business team.
Midday rural news
An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.
Nigel French discusses arrival of bird flu in New Zealand
New Zealand wildlife is especially vulnerable to bird flu which arrived on our shores yesterday. Nigel French, a distinguished Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health at Massey University spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Roy Pilott reacts to England’s loss against Argentina
Roy Pilott, editorial director at Good Local Media and also a heartbroken English football fan, spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 15 July
Latest from Washington as US strikes on Iran continue; Former ACT MP Heather Roy on Paul Henry announcement; Geopolitics expert on NZs role in Pacific military alliance.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Geopolitics expert on NZs role in Pacific military alliance
New Zealand is in talks with Australia and Fiji about joining their military alliance, called the Oceans of Peace Alliance. But China sees that as an act of provocation. Geopolitical expert Dr Connor Graham from the Lowy Institute 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.
Former ACT MP Heather Roy on Paul Henry announcement
Former ACT MP Heather Roy spoke to Guyon Espiner about what Paul Henry's selection could do for the party ahead of the election.
Latest from Washington as US strikes on Iran continue
US strikes on Iran have continued, in retaliation for Iran attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US correspondent Nick Harper spoke to Guyon Espiner from Washington DC.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 14 July 2026
In today's programme: Broadcaster and TV host Paul Henry will stand for the Act Party at the elecion and his goal is to be a Minister in the next government - he joined me to tell us why he has decided to enter the political fray. The RNZ-Reid poll puts the Opportunity Party at 4.7 percent - a smidgen away from Parliament. They want to be kingmakers - so how would they weild that power. And w
Midday Sports News for 14 July 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Guyon Espiner looks back at his interview with Sam Neill
Guyon Espiner looks back at his interview with Sam Neill which took place last year, following Neill's death.
Latest news from the United States
The latest news from the United States with correspondent Lauren Tomasi in Washington DC.
Midday Rural News for 14 July 2026
News from the rural farming sector.
Midday Business News for 14 July 2026
News from the business sector.
Russell Palmer examines TOP's coalition stance
The Opportunity party is saying its supporters' preferences would not affect coalition decisions. This is off the back of RNZ's latest Reid Research poll showing the party's supporters have a clear preference between National and Labour. Political reporter Russell Palmer has been working on this and learned more about the decision-making process at the party after speaking to leader Qiulae Wo
Paul Henry speaks to Guyon Espiner following ACT announcement
Former TVNZ Breakfast host, broadcaster and TV star Paul Henry is standing for the ACT Party at the election. Henry spoke to Guyon Espiner following the announcement.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 13 July
PSA raises alarm over stagnant wage growth; EMA wants help for critical manufacturing sectors; Christchurch Mission raises concerns over move-on orders.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
Christchurch Mission raises concerns over move-on orders
The Justice Select Committee is hearing from organisations at the frontline of dealing with homelessness as the legislation enabling police to issue Move On orders moves through Parliament. The Christchurch Methodist Mission has just made its submission. Its Executive Director Jill Hawkey 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.
EMA wants help for critical manufacturing sectors
The Employers and Manufacturers Association wants the government to provide financial help to parts of the manufacturing sector deemed critical to the country's economic survival. EMA head of advocacy Alan McDonald spoke to Guyon Espiner.
PSA raises alarm over stagnant wage growth
A new report says NZ has some of the lowest wage growth in the developed world over the last five years. PSA national secretary Duane Leo spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 9 July
Alexander Gillespie discusses latest US strikes on Iran; Retail NZ explains possible effect of OCR hike in spending; K Road businesses looking forward to Matariki and CRL opening; K Road businesses looking forward to Matariki and CRL opening.
Midday sports news
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
