Midday Report

The professional firefighters' union says fire vehicles are being damaged and response times are being compromised by speed bumps and other traffic calming measures around Tāmaki Makaurau.

They say more and more speed bumps are being placed on busy city roads.

Auckland Transport has engaged with Fire and Emergency but firefighters say it's a frustrating situation.

Firefighters Union Auckland President Terry Bird says it's making their job very difficult.

Auckland Transport responded with a statement.

"Through our partnership and engagement work with FENZ,  AT has delivered significant time savings for FENZ crews.

"We created a 'green wave' of traffic lights throughout the city centre to help speed up response times and give a continuous cycle of green lights where possible during callouts.

"AT also modified the design of raised safety platforms, especially for those installed on primary FENZ response routes.

"After being asked by FENZ, we gave all FENZ marked and unmarked emergency response vehicles pre-exemption to use all our busways and bus lanes."

The long wait is nearly over for Warriors fans, with a sold-out Mount Smart Stadium to stage their season-opening match against the Cronulla Sharks in Auckland Friday night.

The rejuvenated Warriors fell one win short of reaching the grand final last year and hopes are high they can go further this season.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Health Minister and Prime Minister are laying out five major health targets, completing the Coalition government's first 100-day plan.

The targets will likely include immunisation and cancer treatment, with more detail being unveiled by Dr Shane Reti right now.

So what will this announcement mean for general practice, an area of the health system that the Health Minister himself says is "broken"?

Royal New Zealand College of GPs president Dr Samantha Murton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

News from the rural farming sector.

New Zealand has again gone with an all pace bowling attack with Ben Sears making his debut. Australia won the toss and had no hesitation to field first, they've gone in with the same eleven that won the first test by 172 runs.

Barry Guy has sports.

A co-founder of fledgling KiwiSaver provider Sharesies says investors should be taking an active but considered approach to managing their money.

Māori will be demanding assurances from the government that its Fast Track Approval Bill will not trample over Treaty settlements.

The legislation - which passed its first reading on Thursday - will give three ministers the power to bypass normal consent processes and have the final say on approvals for special infrastructure projects.

Ngāi Tahu, whose rohe includes two-thirds of the conservation estate has expressed concern, saying a key failure is that the bill does not include a reference to Te Tiriti o Waitangi or its principles.

Waikato Tainui Chair Tuku Morgan says treaty settlements must be protected at all costs.

Morgan spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Heavy rain, weak concrete and 100 years of deterioration are being blamed for a major sinkhole in the Auckland suburb of Parnell.

The sinkhole opened up in September last year when the Ōrākei Main Sewer line collapsed, resulting in widespread beach closures and almost six months of disruption for businesses.

Repairs are still continuing. RNZ Auckland reporter Felix Walton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Wellington's City Missioner fears the government's new emergency housing policy will push more vulnerable people onto the streets.

The government has announced its new top-priority approach for families with children in emergency housing, while signalling a stricter approach for those accessing it.

Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Despite sales of New Zealand-made infant formula remaining strong to our main market of China - producers are being warned against relying on just one market.

Monique Steele has the rural news.