Several shops in Whangarei's CBD are quietly closing down as tough economic times bite. North Chamber president Tim Robinson.

News bulletin recorded at 5PMAv RNZ

Today on the Pre-Panel, Wallace Chapman previews tonight's show and producer Ayana Piper-Healion joins to discuss how often you clean your car.

Hockey New Zealand has turned to private owners to help keep the Black Sticks competitive on the international stage. Sports reporter Felicity Reid speaks to Lisa Owen.

The government's cutting the red tape in the early childhood sector, removing the requirement for the Ministry of Education to sign-off on new centres. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports.

Stuff has announced it will take over the running of TV3's 6pm bulletin in two months' time. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Commerce Commission says One NZ has disregarded the safety of vulnerable customers over 111 calls when the power is out, and is taking the company to court. Commerce Commission Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson speaks to Lisa Owen.

Former MFAT Minister Nanaia Mahuta shares her views on the Government’s position on the war in Gaza, mandatory referendums for Māori wards, and the scrapping of Three Waters. Then we discuss the latest in politics with panelists Lara Grieve and Jack Tautokai McDonald.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

People on Great Barrier Island are living in caravans, tents and shipping containers, saying wealthy holidaymakers buying up baches have pushed them out of the market. Luka Forman reports

A North Otago gold mine has powered up an electrifying new addition to help it become more sustainable. Tess Brunton reports.

From talk of war to slurping noodles - Christopher Luxon is continuing his push to shore up relationships across South East Asia - on what is his second day in Singapore. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch speaks to Lisa Owen

Hurricanes fans are daring to dream, as their side remains unbeaten in Super Rugby. Sports journalist Jamie Wall speaks to Lisa Owen.

A female plumbing apprentice has taken out top honours in a nationwide scholarship contest Maria Contreras Huerta speaks to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich speaks to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's historic criminal trial and Disney cracking down on people abusing disability services at their theme parks.

Air NZ's increasing its use of sustainable jet fuel in a bid to cut carbon emissions. Its Chief Sustainability Officer Kiri Hannifin speaks to Lisa Owen.

Today on the Pre-Panel, Wallace Chapman previews tonight's show and producer Ayana Piper-Healion joins to discuss how often you clean your car.

Politics isn't what's dividing America, class is. This is the conclusion of Batya Ungar-Sargon, the deputy editor of Newsweek. Jesse speaks to her about her new book and travels across the U.S.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

Today Anna talks to Jesse about The Prism and teh the Rose and the Late Poems by Schaeffer Lemalu. She also mentions a book she's just started reading, The Financial Colonisation of Aotearoa.

Today Tim Warren talks to Jesse about automation at home, both the pros and the cons.

On today’s episode, local electronic artist Lola reveals there was a ghost at her music video shoot, S.T.A.L & Hari speak about their collaboration on the single 'Forces' and Evie explains that music beef doesn’t just happen in hip-hop.

Mental health continues to be a major issue for our society, and our male suicide statistics are still among the worst in the developed world. Manager of Men's Muster and men's health Samantha McBride talks to Jesse.

In February Debs Sim's new puppy - a Cavoodle named Ivy - started getting sick. Now the internet has assembled to help bring some joy to the pup her and the owner.

Many New Zealanders are feeling the squeeze as we face a recession, and of course this trickles down and impacts the work of charity organisations. One of those is the New Zealand Remembrance Army.

News bulletin recorded at 1PMAv RNZ

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

The Government is removing what's called network approval provisions which give government sign off on where a centre can be set up - it's also removing the requirement for staff to have a full, higher level practicing certificate. Chief Executive of the Early Childhood Council Simon Laube spoke to Charlotte Cook.…

Media company Stuff will take over the six o'clock Newshub bulletin on TV Three. The bulletin will not be called Newshub, and will run a one-hour bulletin from Monday to Friday, and a 30 minute bulletin on weekends. Newshub reporter Juliette Speedy spoke to Charlotte Cook.

News from the rural farming sector.

All Black Jordie Barrett says a family connection and the chance to test himself in a new environment were the main reasons behind his decision to head to Ireland for a sabbatical at the end of the year.

Midday Business News for 16 April 2024

Police in Sydney are now treating a stabbing at an Assyrian Orthodox Church as a "terrorist attack". At least four people, including a bishop, were wounded in last night's attack in south-west Sydney. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for the assault at the service, which had been livestreamed. The stabbing comes just days after a fatal attack in…

A new future for the 6pm news is what the media outlet Stuff is saying after telling its staff that it will take over running the six o'clock Newshub bulletin on TV Three. The Spinoff Founder and media commentator Duncan Grieve spoke to Charlotte Cook. Sinead Boucher can be seen in front of a banner saying "a new future for the 6pm news" Stuff's Si…

The top stories and other headlines at midday

Sports correspondent Joe Porter

The Haast's Eagle or Te Hokioi bird is the largest eagle every known to have existed. Over the centuries its existence was questioned, was it real, or was it just legend? Scientists have pored over what was known about the bulky bird and debated whether it was able to fly. In his new book, Hard by the Cloud House, Peter Walker examines the legend o…

Dileepa looks at figures showing the number of highly skilled migrants is falling, despite a bump in immigration. And a new BusinessDesk series, JobWatch 2024, looks at layoffs in both the private and public sectors. Finally, a new report launches today, looking at food and fibre exports and what might lift their productivity. Dileepa Fonseka is a …

The Whakatane District Council has received over 1000 submissions to its long-term plan, more than it has ever had from any other consultation process. And the Kawerau District Council has been copping flak recently about plans to introduce fluoride its town water supply by the end of June

Gina Rogers reviews My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes published by Penguin Random House

Nigel Ritson estimates he's eaten more than 50,000 feijoas in his quest to find the perfect one. His fascination with the fruit began in in the 1990's when be bought a tough piece of land in Takaka, with the dream of growing something. Feijoas were one of the few trees which could thrive there. But simply growing feijoas in hoards wasn't enough for…

If you're looking to escape reality for a while - or possibly somewhere to entertain the kids these school holidays - a giant colourful labyrinth could be just the ticket. The ABORIALIS Luminarium is a giant inflatable sculpture you can walk through - with a kaleidoscope of colour and accompanying ethereal soundtrack. It was installed in Christchur…

On today's episode we hear from Finance Minister Nicola Willis on cuts to the public sector, Winston Peters condemns Iran's attack on Israel and calls for calm in the region, the banking sector is calling on the Government to help resourcing the national Anti-Scam Centre, Wellington Regional Councillor Thomas Nash discusses the proposal for a 'mega…

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

The first criminal trial of a former president begins on Monday in New York. Donald Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records for his alleged role in a hush money scheme before the 2016 election. And Trump, who is again a presidential candidate, is continuing to cause confusion on his stance on abortion rights. Danielle Kurtzle…

As the New Zealand news landscape undergoes a radical reshape, there are concerns that many Kiwis are already missing out. Unlike other countries there is no requirement for New Zealand websites, including those with a news focus, to meet any accessibility standards. Captioning and audio descriptions can make a huge difference to the hearing or vis…

Some fintechs say they can be the "maverick" disruptor New Zealand's banking system is missing. These are digital services that offer more innovation when it comes to things like budgeting data, foreign exchange and transferring money. But the Commerce Commission says these fintechs are struggling to get a foothold here citing issues around data ac…

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

A tiny Taranaki community is up in arms at plans to revert several kilometres of its crumbling sealed road back to metal. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

The Supreme Court has ruled that plans for the East-West Link, between Onehunga and Mt Wellington, need to be looked at again in light of the Resource Management Act. Forest and Bird general counsel Peter Anderson spoke to Corin Dann.