Midday Report

Public servants are digging in for a fight against the government's planned cuts to the public service, warning the country will pay the price for years to come.

National campaigned on slashing spending across 24 public agencies, but the Finance Minister has since asked all departments to identify areas where cuts can be made.

Assistant Secretary of the Public Service Association Fleur Fitzsimons says the extent of the cuts was not signalled.

Fitzsimons spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Health Minister is increasingly anxious there could be a fatal outbreak of Measles in Aotearoa this year as cases increase globally.

Experts say with more people travelling, it's likely too many infections will come across the border to contain.

In the 2019 outbreak there were more than 2000 cases and hundreds of people hospitalised, many of them under five.

The Minister of Health and Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti says the disease is highly infectious - making it hugely worrying.

Reti spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The great butter chicken debate has stepped up another notch - this time with legal action between two Indian restaurant chains.

The family behind a famed Delhi restaurant brand, Moti Mahal, claims its founder created the curry in the 1930s.

It's suing rival chain Daryaganj, accusing it of falsely claiming to have invented butter chicken, as well as dal makhani, a popular creamy lentil dish.

Auckland Chef and restauranter Sid Sahrawat says people love to fight over iconic dishes.

Sahrawat spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Cyclone Kirrily is bearing down on far north Queensland and is expected to make landfall near Townsville Thursday night as a category two storm.

And it's likely to impact weather here in Aotearoa next week.

Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Abysmal and tragic is how farmers are describing the prices they're being paid for lamb this season - with many re-considering their future in the sector. 

Susan Murray has the rural news.

New Zealand's Erin Routliffe has credited her strong serve for getting her and her doubles partner through to the Australian Open semi finals. 

Barry Guy has sports.

The gradual slowing of inflation should be positive for asset prices, according to one investment analyst.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Maritime New Zealand has launched an investigation after a tourist ship ran aground in Fiordland Wednesday night.

The Fiordland Navigator made a distress call after running aground near Crooked Arm in Doubtful Sound around six o'clock.

Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The government is being told to come clean about its smoking policies.

The associate Minister of Health says she is committed to looking at a range of options to help smokers to quit but Ministry of Health documents show she's investigating a three year freeze on cigarette taxes - keeping prices stable.

Costello has denied she's specifically asked for a freeze on cigarette taxes, but says it's one of many options being investigated.

Labour Party Health Spokesperson and former Health Minister Ayesha Verrall spoke to Charlotte Cook.

New Zealand rental prices reached a record high in December.

Trade Me's latest rental price index show the national median weekly rent nationwide jumped to $625 a week last month - the first increase in almost six months, while Bay of Plenty overtook Auckland as the most expensive rental region.

Trade Me Property sales director Gavin Lloyd spoke to Charlotte Cook.