Midday Report

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...

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

If you have a big mortgage: a warning the following content could prove distressing. Many market analysts are saying the there is unlikely to be a change in the official cash rate this week, but that doesn't mean borrowers are not in for interest rate increases. Guyon Espiner spoke with Koura Wealth founder Rupert Carlyon.

You might think when new technology comes along, it's the younger generations that are most keen to adopt it. But with Artificial Intelligence causing mass workforce layoffs, young graduates are facing a brutal job market. New York Times reporter Michelle Goldberg spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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

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

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

The English language requirements are getting stricter. 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. Changes are also coming at the top end - allowing wealthy investors wanting the so-called Golden Visa to include philanthropic gifts of up...

Dame Jools Topp of the legendary New Zealand folk duo the Topp Twins has died from breast cancer at the age of 68. Dame Jools and her her sister Lynda entertained audiences for more than 40 years, writing songs and creating comedy characters that captured Kiwi culture - and also challenged it - helping define a eneration of social change. Arani Cuthbert has been the Topp Twins' manager since 1992....