Midday Report

A final wicket stand has proved frustrating for the Black Caps early on day two of the first test against Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

 Bridget Tunnicliffe has sports.

The country's first open ocean salmon farm in the Cook Strait has been approved.

New Zealand King Salmon has been battling for years to shift farms into the colder waters to combat the effects of climate change.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Hard on the heels of this week's shock Newshub announcement, TVNZ is flagging further cost cutting.

The state-owned broadcaster has posted a first half-year loss linked to reduced revenue and asset write offs.

Its interim results show total revenue has fallen 13.5 percent from last year to $155.9 million.

It says it's facing a "significant reduction in television advertising revenue" and a challenging trading environment.

RNZ Mediawatch's Colin Peacock spoke to Charlie Dreaver.

The Prime Minister is claiming a $52,000 accommodation supplement to cover expenses while staying in Wellington, because he has chosen not to live in Premier House.

Christopher Luxon will claim the payment, despite owning a Wellington apartment - mortgage free, on top of his $471,000 salary.

Premier House is the official Wellington residence for Prime Ministers; however it has long-standing maintenance issues.

This makes him the first Prime Minister in at least 34 years to claim the supplement.

Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams spoke to Charlie Dreaver.

Thursday is leap day, and for an Upper Hutt couple it will forever take on special meaning.

In line with old tradition, Dawn Duthie proposed to her partner Raymond on leap day four years ago.

And Thursday they're sealing that proposal and tying the knot. Dawn says it will be a celebration to remember.

Dawn spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Thousands of people are pouring into the Due Drop Events centre in Manukau for the funeral of Fa’anānā Efeso Collins.

The 49-year-old Green Party MP and former Auckland mayoral candidate collapsed and died taking part in a charity event in Auckland.

The service is due to start at 1pm Thursday.

RNZ Pacific's Susana Suisuiki spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Cyclone Gabrielle last February severely affected four of T&G's orchards and flooded some of its facilities.

It has just reported a net loss after tax of $64.2 million for the year to December; a huge fall from the $3.3 million loss the year before. 

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

The Black Caps won the toss and not surprisingly decided to bowl - perhaps more surprising was that play got underway on time.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Channel Infrastructure, the former Marsden Point Refinery, has doubled its full-year profit, with its transition to a fuel storage terminal from oil processor almost complete.

Anan Zaki has the business news.

A leap year software glitch is being blamed for causing payment outages at petrol stations across the country.

Fuel provider Allied Petroleum and Gull say they are aware of nationwide technical problems affecting motorists filling up at unattended pumps, across all fuel brands.

Gull spokesperson Julien Leys spoke to Charlotte Cook.