Midday Report

Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Guyon Espiner following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's press conference in Palau.

New Plymouth Mayor on closure of Methanex plant; Wellington mayor responds to review into Moa Point failure; Sir Crawford Falconer on the future of NZ trade policy.

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

Trade expert Sir Crawford Falconer says New Zealand should look beyond concerns about US tariffs and the US-China trade conflict, as it considers the future of its trade policy. Sir Crawford Falconer 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 catastrophic failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant was caused by long-standing systemic failures of leadership by Wellington City Council, Wellington Water and the plant's operator Veolia, a damning report has found. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little spoke to Guyon Espiner.

New Zealand's largest gas user Methanex has announced its Taranaki plant will close, after more than four decades in operation. The Taranaki plant employs about 300 people, who are now facing job losses. New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough spoke to Guyon Espiner.

On today's episode kids from six months to the age of five will get free flu vaccines from today. David Seymouir responds to pharmacs decision to roll out the policy a year early. Can a new elite domestic netball competition, backed by richlister power couple Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams stem the exodus of top players overseas? National and Labour have put fuel tax rises on ice: but at what cost?...

It has been confirmed that a private ownership group will run next year's domestic netball competition.

The government's plan to delay fuel tax rises sees both major parties accused of cowardice. Guyon Espiner talked with Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett.

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.

Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray have won the right to run New Zealand's elite netball competition, Guyon Espiner talks with Pippa Moore from the Netball Players Association.

Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced the flu vaccine will be free from today for 6 month to five-year-olds, having only welcomed the decision to fund it from 2027. He joined Guyon Espiner to explain the reversal.

Welcome to Midday Report essentials with Guyon Espiner. 18 and 19-year-olds whose parents earn more $67,000 lose access to the dole under a new law change. A top economist - Shamubeel Eaquab, says the costs outweigh the benefits and any savings will be a transfer from the poor to the crown. Later in the hour: we quizz Labour on its new promise to ensure seniors leaving retirement homes get their m...

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

The Labour party says it will introduce legislation which will force retirement villages to payout to seniors vacating their dwellings within three months. Guyon Espiner talks with Labour's seniors spokesperson Ingrid Leary.

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.

Jobseeker payments to 18 and 19 year olds are set to end in November, economist Shamubeel Eaquab says the costs outweigh the benefits.

The Pacific Island Forum is getting under way in Palau. Five leaders have pulled out, including the chair of the forum, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale who made an emergency trip home, facing a no confidence vote after just 100 days in the job. RNZ reporter Teuila Fuatai is covering the PIF in Palau.