Midday Report

Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis says together with Woolworths, this would mean New Zealand would have three major nationwide grocery chains which would drive down grocery prices.

On today's episode the world is on edge over the risk posed by AI... I spoke to Senior Lecturer in artificial intelligence - Dr Andrew Lensen. AI expert Mark Lawrence has written a costed AI policy and today he's sent it to political parties to adopt. RNZ In Depth reporter Farah Hancock told Guyon Espiner about the high rollers in the political donations game.

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

Mark Lawrence is an AI educator and consultant. He's drafted an AI policy for New Zealand, which he says will cost about $300 million over three years.

The latest news from the United States with Nine News reporter Lauren Tomasi in Washington DC.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the business sector.

There's now just over 50 days until election day and large donations of $20,000 or more to political parties have almost surpassed the total from 2023. RNZ's Farah Hancock has been asking these big donors for interviews to find out why they do it.

Victoria University AI lecturer Dr Andrew Lensen talks to Guyon Espiner about potential AI regulation here in Aotearoa.

How Auckland's new CRL handled its first rush hour commute; Infrastructure NZ calls for better long-term planning; Sam Stubbs reacts to Labour's KiwiSaver policy; Marama Davidson discusses new Green Party te reo policy.

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

The Green Party has promised $200 million towards te reo Maori initiatives. Co-leader Marama Davidson 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.

Labour said it would make employer contributions compulsory, even when employees reduce or pause their own contributions, and lift the rate to 6 percent by 2032. Simplicity chief executive Sam Stubbs spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Despite being the highest public infrastructure spender in the OECD in the last 20 years, New Zealand ranked among the lowest for efficiency, according to Infrastructure New Zealand, which has released its election manifesto. Nick Leggett, chief executive at Infrastructure New Zealand spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The CRL opened yesterday but faced its first big test this morning as Aucklanders used the central rail link to navigate rush hour. Auckland Transport's director of public transport Richard Harrison spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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.

A wrap of the week in politics with Guyon Espiner and Patrick Gower.

News from the rural farming sector.

News from the business sector.

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 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.