Midday Report

The Police Minister will likely front up to parliament Wednesday afternoon to correct statements he made about training new police officers.

Mark Mitchell told the House that the Government would take three years to deliver 500 new frontline officers, but the government's coalition agreement with New Zealand First says the parties will deliver on that commitment within the first two years.

The Prime Minister says Mitchell misspoke and the coalition is committed to a two-year plan.

Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Police are investigating the sudden death of a man whose body was found at a Dunedin property on Monday morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Hillary Street in Liberton in the city's north at around 9 o'clock.

Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A fatal e-scooter accident on a busy Auckland street has residents worried about safety.

One person died late Monday night near the corner of Ian McKinnon Drive and Devon Street in Eden Terrace.

The last reported e-scooter death was in 2019.

Reporter Felix Walton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Fire and Emergency has fire bans in place in parts of Otago, Mackenzie, Canterbury, Marlborough and coastal Wairarapa - and further restrictions across much of the South Island.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

New Zealand apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan is grateful to be alive after being thrown from her horse during a race in Adelaide at the weekend. 

Felicity Reid has sports.

The Reserve Bank's chief economist has made it clear the battle against inflation is far from won, and that domestic price pressures remain stubborn. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

New Zealand won't be contributing more funds to UNRWA, the UN's aid agency for Palestinians, until the Foreign Minister is satisfied over allegations that several of its staff were involved in the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel.

More than 10 countries, including Australia, the US and Britain, have suspended their contributions.

New Zealand gives one million dollars every year.

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the allegations are serious and need to be properly investigated.

He says the Government won't be making further contributions until the Foreign Minister Winston Peters gives the all clear.

University of Waikato International Law Professor Dr Al Gillespie spoke to Charlotte Cook.

James Shaw will step down as co-leader of the Green Party in March but will remain in Parliament for now.

The former Minister will stay on to support a bill which would add the right to a sustainable environment to New Zealand's Bill of Rights Act.

Shaw has been co-leader of the Green Party for nearly nine years, serving alongside both Marama Davidson and Metiria Turei.

He was also the Minister for Climate Change for six years.

Shaw spoke to Charlotte Cook.

It's back to school this week for thousands of children and for some it will be a chance to get a proper meal.

The charity Kids Can says due to cost of living pressures, demand for its services has soared to the highest levels in six years.

Kids Can chief executive Julie Chapman spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A recovery operation has been underway in Christchurch for a large whale that died after becoming stranded in Christchurch Sunday night.

The eight-metre juvenile Finn whale got stuck on a sandbar in the shallow estuary at Moncks Bay and despite efforts to re-float it.

Daren Grover from Project Jonah has been on the scene. He says he got the call Sunday night and flew in from Nelson.

Grover spoke to Charlotte Cook.