Midday Report

News from the business sector.

An update on donations to political parties saw ACT's donation total for the year to date soar above the $1 million dollar mark, with some big sums involved. RNZ In Depth reporter Farah Hancock spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Nicola Willis announced a new banking levy to raise $200m over four years and pay for regulation of the banks. Roger Beaumont is the CEO of the Bankers Association and spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The government is banking on getting back to surplus early and bending the debt curve down. But has Nicola Willis been too rosy with her outlook on those numbers? ANZ Senior Economist Miles Workman spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The Social Market Foundation think tank has done research to understand what populism is, and what factors correlate to increased populist support, leading to the rise of political figures like Nigel Farage in the UK. Jamie Gollings from the Social Market Foundation spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The Social Market Foundation think tank has done research to understand what populism is, and what factors correlate to increased populist support, leading to the rise of political figures like Nigel Farage in the UK. Jamie Gollings from the Social Market Foundation spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Midday Rural News for 28th May 2026

Former finance minister Ruth Richardson spoke to Guyon Espiner ahead of Nicola Willis' budget.

A new report from Community Housing Aotearoa has warned homelessness has reached its highest level ever, with a shortage of affordable housing compounding the problem. The organisation's chief executive Paul Gilberd spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The Midday Report Essentials podcast for 28 May 2026

Today: The AI bot will see you now: The government rolls out moves to introduce Artificial Intelligence into breast screening, Health Minister Simeon Brown explained how patients could benefit and what the privacy guardrails will be. MP's perks are under the spotlight as politicians claim up to a million dollars of your money in accommodation allowances to live in their own Welllington homes, Tax...

An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.

A dependence on fossil fuels, a global jet fuel crunch, and a near $400 million loss in a single year. Airlines are under growing pressure to cut emissions while still keeping planes in the air. Dame Therese Walsh is the Board chair for Air New Zealand - Guyon Espiner spoke to her on the latest episode of 30 with Guyon Espiner.

The latest news from Australia with correspondent Amanda Copp in Canberra.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the business sector.

Growing number of MPs calling for revision to perks pecunary interests allowances.. Hipkins, Sepuloni, Davidson. Guyon Espiner spoke with Jordan Williams, the Executive Director of the Taxpayers' Union.

The Health Minister says he expects AI to take a major role in breast screening programme. Guyon Espiner spoke with Simeon Brown about what exact role he expected AI to play.

Midday Report Essentials for 26 May 2026.

An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.

Hot off the press.... The 2026 Budget has been printed and government ministers have made the traditional journey to Petone printing press for the photo op. RNZ political reporter Giles Dexter was there and spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The latest news from the United States with correspondent Laura Taglianetti in New York.

An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.

The average Kiwisaver balance is up more than 10 percent on the year before, according to new numbers out today from the Retirement Commission. But that average balance is just $41,000 and there is a significant gender gap: average male balances are about 24 percent higher than for women. And if you dare to look across the ditch it will be with envy. Australians are retiring with more than $500k i...

Dame Jools Topp of the legendary New Zealand folk duo the Topp Twins has died from breast cancer at the age of 68. Migrants workers in lower skilled jobs have already had to prove basic English language skills to get an Accredited Employer Work Visa. But this will now be extended to include mid-skilled jobs like chefs. Many market analysts are saying the there is unlikely to be a change in the off...