Midday Report

An unlikely team of New Zealanders are joining forces to fight against a social stigma considered more damaging than the virus itself. Yep we are talking about herpes. As many as one in 3 New Zealanders have the virus that leads to the virus. With about 80 percent of people getting either coldcores or genital herpes at somepoint in their lifetime, with many never showing symptoms. Boxing champion Mea Motu is out here making herpes hip.

Submissions on tolling the replacement gorge road have now closed, but Woodville residents are refusing to give up fighting. Under the current proposal, those driving between Palmerston North and Woodville in a light vehicle could pay $4.30 per trip, $8.60 for a return - and up to $17.20 for heavy vehicles. Vicky Tomlinson is a major campaigner and lives in Woodville.

Midday Rural News for 14 October 2024

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine believes their "kiwi" approach to the T20 World Cup has helped them to the brink of qualification for the semi-finals.

Midday Business News for 14 October 2024

A tourism business operator in Samoa says food from a container on the sunken Manawanui has been polluting the water, attracting sharks to popular surf breaks. The New Zealand navy vessel sank off the southern coast of Upolu a week ago and has sparked widespread concern for the environmental impact. Brent Ross owns the tour company Offshore Adventures, which takes people fishing, snorkelling and surfing, but says it's currently not safe to operate and his busines is on hold.

A Military expert says while tensions are rising in the Middle East, there are also growing tensions about New Zealand's response within the UN. The peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, says over the weekend Israeli tanks broke through the main gate of the base and fired smoke grenades, resulting in UN needing medical attention. However Israel says one of its tanks reversed into the base as it was trying to evacuate wounded soldiers. Anna Powles is an Associate Professor at Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies, and an author of a book on UN peacekeeping. Since speaking to her, RNZ has confirmed that while some New Zealand Defence Force are stationed in south Lebanon, no personnel are part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

In today's episode, an economist says the government is failing and hurting our most vulnerable people, with the country depending on the now struggling food bank industry, a taxi driver is in a serious condition after a brutal stabbing in Christchurch overnight, Florida is beginning the clean-up after Hurricane Milton tore through the state, and as banks cut their advertised home loan rates, some people who are on fixed rates are wondering how to get out of them.

As banks cut their advertised home loan rates, some people who are on fixed rates are wondering how to get out of them. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Florida is beginning the clean-up after Hurricane Milton tore through the state, but Governor Ron DeSantis says more flooding is still expected in the coming days. Meteorologist and storm chaser Matthew Cappucci spoke to Charlotte Cook.