Midday Report

The new Mental Health Minister says it's about time Aotearoa had a fourth option when people call 111.

A recent ministerial briefing proposed police withdraw from some family harm and mental health calls, saying other agencies should fill that role.

Minister Matt Doocey says he's getting more information, but is considering a specialised first responders group for people in mental health crisis.

Doocey spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Moves by Parliament's Speaker to overturn a blanket ban on lobbyists having swipe card access to parliament have been labelled a significant step backwards.

Gerry Brownlee has said he didn't agree with the ban, he also won't be publishing an approved visitor list, which names those with swipe card access.

The ban was brought in last year after a request from Labour leader and then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Hipkins spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A blue card is set to be trialled in football, which would see players sent to a sin-bin for 10 minutes for cynical play or dissent towards match officials.

Top tier leagues will be excluded from the trial, but the cards could be used in elite competition from the middle of this year. If successful, they would be rolled out for all of football.

Former Football Fern Maia Jackman spoke to Ben Strang.

New Zealand's space industry has received another boost into orbit with the opening of the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, south of Christchurch, today.

Tāwhaki already hosts domestic and international aerospace companies testing leading-edge technologies.

Late last year Wisk Aero tested world first systems using un-crewed aircraft which integrated with air traffic at Christchurch Airport.

It helps pave the way for pilotless taxi services in future.

Long term, Tāwhaki may even be used for rocket launches, with the government also investigating a space port for space tourism.

Tāwhaki chief executive Linda Falwasser spoke to Ben Strang.

Alliance is busy pushing lamb, beef and venison into China - just in time for Chinese New Year celebrations, which kick off later this month. 

Monique Steele has the rural news.

The New Zealand Breakers desperately need a win over the Illawarra Hawks tonight as the battle for NBL playoff places intensifies.

Bridget Tunnicliffe has sports.

The pace of merger and acquisition activity may pick up this year after a larger than expected number of deals failed to make it over the finish line last year.  

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Firefighters in Wellington may have to use sea water, and are bringing water tankers into the region as a precaution, should water shortages worsen.

Fire and Emergency is planning for the possibility of level four water restrictions in Wellington, which would mean serious shortages in some suburbs.

FENZ has already brought a tanker into Wellington as emergency water supply, and has plans to bring more if needed.

Brett Lockyer, Fire and Emergency's Acting District Manager for Wellington, says planning for more serious water shortages is well underway.

Lockyer spoke to Ben Strang.

There's been a development in the homicide investigation into the death of an elderly Wellington woman.

A team of police has this morning been combing a landfill in Porirua, north of the city, searching for items thought to have been dumped by a person of interest in the death of 79-year-old Helen Gregory.

Her body was found at her home in the suburb of Khandallah just over two weeks ago and a homicide inquiry was launched.

RNZ reporter Nick James spoke to Ben Strang.

Forty firefighters remain on the scene of a fire at a waste management plant.

The fire broke out on Wednesday at the Green Gorilla facility in Onehunga it is contained but is still burning.

RNZ Checkpoint reporter Louise Ternouth spoke to Ben Strang.