Midday Report

Welcome to Midday Report essentials with Guyon Espiner. In today's episode: New Zealand moves towards free trade talks with Switzerland, but, are we locked in? Trade expert Charles Finny joined us. Without military enforcement, are trade agreements are just stacks of paper? Retired general John Howard put his case. Paddy Gower joined me for his take on the week in politics, and RNZ's deputy politi...

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

RNZ's Deputy Political Editor, Craig McCulloch discusses today's ferry announcement from Winston Peters

Weekly chat about the week in politics with Patrick Gower and Guyon Espiner.

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

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

General John Howard, a retired military leader who was Chief of Defence Intelligence for the New Zealand Defence Force says New Zealand needs to replace its two ageing frigates Te Mana and Te Kaha. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Switzerland looks set to be the next cab off the rank in trade negotiations with New Zealand. A deal with Switzerland is part of National's push for trade deals with seven new countries across five continents. Charles Finney is an expert on international trade and was responsible for launching the China-New Zealand FTA as New Zealand's lead negotiator on the deal. Finney spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Nigel French discusses arrival of bird flu in New Zealand; Australia to open an Office of AI; US introduces testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers; Roy Pilott reacts to England's loss against Argentina.

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

Australia will establish an Office of AI at the heart of government that will address AI's impact on climate change, energy, education, jobs, copyright, and defence. Dr Andrew Lensen, a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A lack of testosterone might not be the first thing that comes to mind if considering weaknesses in the American military. But Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has other ideas. He has announced that the Department of Defense will offer testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers. CNN's Kevin Liptak spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

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

New Zealand wildlife is especially vulnerable to bird flu which arrived on our shores yesterday. Nigel French, a distinguished Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Public Health at Massey University spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Roy Pilott, editorial director at Good Local Media and also a heartbroken English football fan, spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Latest from Washington as US strikes on Iran continue; Former ACT MP Heather Roy on Paul Henry announcement; Geopolitics expert on NZs role in Pacific military alliance.

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

New Zealand is in talks with Australia and Fiji about joining their military alliance, called the Oceans of Peace Alliance. But China sees that as an act of provocation. Geopolitical expert Dr Connor Graham from the Lowy Institute 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.

Former ACT MP Heather Roy spoke to Guyon Espiner about what Paul Henry's selection could do for the party ahead of the election.

US strikes on Iran have continued, in retaliation for Iran attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US correspondent Nick Harper spoke to Guyon Espiner from Washington DC.

In today's programme: Broadcaster and TV host Paul Henry will stand for the Act Party at the elecion and his goal is to be a Minister in the next government - he joined me to tell us why he has decided to enter the political fray. The RNZ-Reid poll puts the Opportunity Party at 4.7 percent - a smidgen away from Parliament. They want to be kingmakers - so how would they weild that power. And we spo...