Midday Report

New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's first test in charge will be in Dunedin against England.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Electricity retailers will have to provide basic protections for residential consumers, after the market regulator decided to mandate consumer care guidelines. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

There are increasing calls for complete transparency on any past or present dealings MPs have had with tobacco companies.

University of Otago public health academics compared statements made by ministers about plans to repeal Aotearoa's smokefree legislation with talking points from the tobacco industry.

Victoria University political scientist Bryce Edwards spoke to Charlotte Cook.

New documents reveal proposals for smokers to get tax breaks came directly from the Associate Health Minister Casey Costello, despite her strong denials.

The New Zealand First Minister has been under fire in Parliament after telling RNZ last week that she hadn't sought advice on freezing cigarette excise tax for three years.

That conflicted with a Health Ministry document saying she had. RNZ has now obtained the original notes Costello sent to officials late last year.

Investigative journalist Guyon Espiner spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Canterbury will move to a prohibited fire season from midnight Wednesday until further notice.

There have been several significant fires in the region in the past few weeks, including a number near Amberley which destroyed properties and sparked evacuations.

Fire and Emergency Senior Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery Wayne Hamilton says the fire ban will protect the community and provide some relief to stretched fire services in the region.

Hamilton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Wellington city councillors will sit down on Wednesday to try and work out how to pay for an increase in water infrastructure spending.

With water woes plaguing the capital, the council is holding a workshop to discuss ideas for spending more on the city's pipes in its Long-Term Plan.

Reporter Nick James spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Former farmer and Federated Farmers board member Miles Anderson says farmers have been given a raw deal by decision makers for too long.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Blundell says South Africa will be playing with a point to prove in the two-test series starting at Mt Maunganui this weekend.

Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly is aiming to cut red tape, cut costs, and simplify the rules for getting a loan, as well as streamline the regulation of the sector.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Emergency services are still trying to remove the victims from the scene of a fiery crash in Taranaki Wednesday morning.

The crash happened on State Highway Three, outside of Eltham. When emergency crews arrived one of the cars was already in flames.

Police say they believe two people have been killed but are still working to establish whether there have been any other fatalities.

Senior Sergeant Andrew Russ who has been at the scene says two vehicles were involved.

Russ spoke to Charlotte Cook.