Midday Report

The smaller boundaries at New Zealand venues have the Australian batters licking their lips, ahead of the T20 series opener in Wellington tonight.

Barry Guy has sports.

Media company NZME's profit has nearly been halved by high inflation and interest rates, and reduced advertising. 

Anan Zaki has the the business news.

The South Auckland community in particular will be mourning the loss of Fa'anānā Efeso Collins.

He had been a Manukau ward councillor on the Auckland City Council and was involved in numerous community organisations and initiatives supporting local Pasifika families.

Tevita Funaki is Chief Executive of the south Auckland health provider The Fono.

He's worked alongside Fa'anānā for 20 years and counts him as a good friend.

He describes him as a champion of South Auckland and a beacon of hope in the community.

Funaki spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Green MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins has died after taking part in a charity event in Tāmaki Makurau Auckland Wednesday morning.

The father-of-two, three-term city councillor and former Auckland mayoral contender was taking part in a charity run when he collapsed suddenly.

His death comes just a week after he delivered his maiden speech in parliament.

He's being remembered as a passionate advocate, a committed leader in the south Auckland community, a son of the Pacific and a devoted father.

Floral tributes are now being laid at the scene near Britomart in downtown Auckland.

Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Police have spoken to people seen on a walking track in the Hoon Hay Valley moments before the fire broke out on Christchurch's Port Hills, almost a week ago.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and is under investigation.

Fire crews are still working to dampen down hotspots and have just given a media briefing.

RNZ reporter Niva Chittock spoke to Charlotte Cook.

KiwiRail is fronting yet another please explain meeting, this time about its rail services in Wairarapa.

During a $100 million upgrade to the Wairarapa line, KiwiRail laid the tracks too close together meaning passenger carriages don't fit.

The tracks will now need to be ground back to make them suitable for passenger trains, resulting in months of delays and safety risks ahead for commuters.

Greater Wellington Regional Council's chair Daran Ponter is at the meeting and says he can't understand how it's happened.

Ponter spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Pāmu, the state-owned farming company, also known as Landcorp, has reported a half-year net operating profit of $3 million.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Veteran Australian batter David Warner says he wants Australia tour New Zealand more often.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Campervan company Tourism Holdings first half profit has surged 58 percent despite an erratic vehicle market and challenging economic conditions.

Anan Zaki has the business news.

There are fears other beneficiaries will soon be targeted as the government moves to impose sanctions on job seekers.

The Government says it's taking early action to curb a surge in welfare dependency, with the Ministry of Social Development to begin work check-ins for job seekers who've been on the benefit for six months.

They'll face penalties if they don't meet looking-for-work requirements. Auckland University economist and Associate Professor Susan St John says it signals a return to the 1990s and will plunge even more people into poverty.

St John spoke to Charlotte Cook.