Midday Report

New Zealand Defence Force personnel have joined the search for a man who fell overboard from a commercial fishing boat off the Hawke's Bay coast.

Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination was alerted about 8 o'clock last night.

Hawke's Bay Deputy Harbourmaster Adrian Wright spoke to Ben Strang.

The country's largest meat processor and marketer, Silver Fern Farms, has just reported a net loss after tax of $24.4 million for the 2023 financial year.

Monique Steele has the rural news.

The Wallabies have grabbed another former member of the All Blacks coaching staff.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Dairy company Synlait plans to reduce production capacity along with debt following an "extremely disappointing" large $96 million first half loss. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

There are growing calls for random roadside drug testing after seven people were killed in crashes over the Easter long weekend.

The previous government introduced legislation allowing roadside drug testing, but without the appropriate technology being in place.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the previous government utterly failed to establish a roadside drug testing framework, and the legislation was flawed and unworkable.

Labour Party police spokesperson Ginny Andersen spoke to Ben Strang.

The senior doctors union says hospitals may have to look at installing metal detectors or limiting visitors in emergency departments after a shocking weekend attack at Wairarapa Hospital.

A patient sustained moderate injuries after being attacked in the hospital ED just before midnight on Saturday - allegedly by a man wielding a machete.

A 62 year-old has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grevious bodily harm.

The police say the victim and the offender were known to each other.

Te Whatu Ora Wairarapa says an investigation is being launched and extra security has been put in place.

The Executive Director of the senior doctors union - the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Sarah Dalton says there was no security on hand when the attack happened.

Dalton spoke to Ben Strang.

Journalists, media workers and their supporters are rallying outside TVNZ headquarters in Auckland over planned staff cuts which will see a number of key programmes axed.

The Save our Stories rally has been organised by the union E Tu, which is presenting an open letter to the company with over 11,000 signatures.

Miriama Kamo is a journalist and presenter on the Sunday programme which is one of those set to shut down.

Kamo spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Charges have been laid against two people as police investigate how two Lower Hutt siblings received injuries so severe they were hospitalised for two weeks.

A 25-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man are due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court Thursday afternoon.

RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati spoke to Charlotte Cook.

An over-reliance on supplying logs for China's once booming construction sector is biting, as demand dries up - pulling prices down as forestry exports are forecast to drop 9 percent.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Coach Rob Penney insists he's not feeling any greater pressure than usual despite the Crusaders making their worst ever start to a Super Rugby season.

Stephen Hewson has sports.