Midday Report

Kia ora, welcome to Midday Report essentials . In todays episode: Kerrin Leoni resigns from the Labour Party after video shows she campaigned with Mongrel Mob members, and Chris Hipkins says racism on the right is a factor in the gang scandal. RNZ political editor Jo Moir joined me on whether it could cost him the election. The fiscal fights continue: the Greens say NZ First's campaign promises ad...

This week President Trump's envoy stood in St Petersburg and called Vladimir Putin a humanitarian. With the lifting of sanctions on Russia and harsh criticism of Ukraine President Vlodamyr Zelensky questions are being raised about whose side America is now on. Guardian journalist and author Luke Harding has a new book on the conflict called Betrayal. Harding spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

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

The Green Party has released its fiscal plan, promising to increase health spending by $3 billion each year. Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Labour MP Kerrin Leoni has resigned as Tamaki Makaurau candidate after video emerged of her campaigning with Mongrel Mob members. Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Today: inflation slows in the latest data out today but the relief is likely short lived with the lower dollar and rising fuel prices meaning it's likely there'll be more rate hikes. Guyon heard from Infometric principal economist Brad Olsen. The Mood of the Boardroom, Guyon Espiner spoke to the NZ Herald's Fran O'Sullivan about what CEOs think about the two Chrises and who the top Ministers are....

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

More New Zealanders see the United States as a major threat than they see China, according to a new poll from the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The survey shows that New Zealanders currently view both China and the United States as threats to New Zealand, rather than friends. Dr Julia Macdonald, Director of Research and Engagement at the Asia New Zealand Foundation spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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

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

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

Confidence amongst the country's leading business leaders has climbed in this year's Mood of the Boardroom Survey. The annual survey by the Herald is based on the views of about 150 of our top business executives. Fran O'Sullivan, Head of Business at NZME, and the executive editor of the Mood of the Boardroom spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Inflation has eased from a two-year high as a temporary fall in fuel prices offset other price rises. Stats NZ says the consumer price index rose 0.7 percent for the three months to the end of September, taking the annual rate to 3.7 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen spoke to Guyon Espiner.

What Israel's Pacific Islands Forum partnership means for NZ; Former National minister questions Luxon's Opportunity stance; Wellness and recovery become big business for gyms.

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

The fitness industry is booming at the moment, and wellness and recovery is a growing part of what gyms are offering, alongside traditional exercise spaces. Les Mills New Zealand chief executive Brett Sutton 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.

Polling shows The Opportunity Party set out to make it into Parliament and it also shows that both the left and right bloc would need them to form a government. National's leader, Christopher Luxon has ruled them out. Former National minister, Jonathan Coleman thinks the current leader may have got it wrong. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Israel has joined the Pacific Islands Forum as a partner. The move comes after an intense diplomatic push by Israel in the Pacific, which has also seen Papua New Guinea and Fiji open embassies in Jerusalem with Samoa promising to follow. But with accusations of genocide in Gaza, sanctions by New Zealand on Israeli Ministers and a International Criminal Court arrest warrant in place for Prime Minis...

Today: Labour's answer to the ED crisis: Ayesha Verrall is live on Labour's new health policy out today. We're at the Supreme Court with Scott Watson in a final bid to clear his name for the Hope-Smart murders more than three decades on. Plus all the latest in polls, policies and promises from the campaign trail - as the neck and neck race for the Beehive enters the final stretch.

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