Midday Report

South Africa are struggling as they chase an imposing 529 to win the first cricket test at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Unemployment edged higher to 4 percent at the end of last year, while the surge in migration increased the size of the workforce.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Iwi leader Mike Smith has won the right to sue seven big emitters for their role in causing climate change, in a Supreme Court ruling delivered Wednesday morning.

The climate activist, of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu, says companies including Fonterra, Z Energy and Genesis Energy have a legal duty to him and others in the community to rein in their greenhouse gases.

RNZ Climate Change correspondent Eloise Gibson spoke to Ben Strang.

New Zealand has been put on high alert for wildfire risk, with temperatures as high as 33 degrees expected this week.

Fire and Emergency says Northland, Auckland, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago are most at risk of wildfires, with conditions tinder dry in some places.

On Monday morning fire fighters were able to contain a large fire at Kirwee, in Canterbury, which burnt through around 80 hectares of pine, scrub and farmland next to the Waimakariri River.

Fire and Emergency's national wildfire specialist Tim Mitchell spoke to Ben Strang.

Māori leaders have started addressing Government representatives at Waitangi.

There has been a huge show of unity from Māori at this year's Waitangi commemorations as iwi leaders from across the country have journeyed to the grounds.

On Monday morning Kiingitanga representative Rahui Papa has stressed the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, saying it must be honoured. 

RNZ Māori news reporter Pokere Paewai spoke to Ben Strang.

New research out of Lincoln University has found leaders in the primary industries sector are most worried about the impact of climate change, extreme weather and water quality.

Monique Steele has the rural news.

South Africa has finally broken through to dismiss Black Caps batter Kane Williamson in the opening session of day two of the first cricket test in Mount Maunganui.

Stephen Hewson has sport.

The country's biggest construction firm is setting aside $180 million for likely losses on two big projects.

Fletcher Building has put aside $165 million for further costs in the rebuild of the International Convention Centre in Auckland, and $15 million for a carparking building at Wellington airport.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

An international relations expert says New Zealand's involvement in military strikes in Yemen suggests we're responding to violations of international law in the Red Sea, but not in Gaza.

This comes after the US hit 13 targets in Houthi controlled-parts of Yemen on Sunday, with support from several countries including New Zealand.

Jon Stephenson, a journalist who's worked in several war zones, says New Zealand has sent an SAS led team to the Middle East.

He says the SAS team is a group of intelligence analysts.

They won't step foot in Yemen, but are based at either a US or coalition base, or on a command ship directly involved in the strikes.

Otago University professor Robert Patman spoke to Ben Strang.

The Government has been formally welcomed onto Waitangi. 

A stirring powhiri, welcoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, ACT leader David Seymour, and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, along with other Government ministers.

Politicians have been bracing for protests and tension at Waitangi this year in response to its policies on the Treaty of Waitangi and te reo Māori.

RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ben Strang.