Midday Report

Rātana officials have said that talks about ACT's proposal to re-examine the Treaty of Waitangi will be the focus of this year's gathering.

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rejected accusations from Te Pāti Māori that his government is white supremacist, labelling the rhetoric divisive and unhelpful.

Political commentator and former Labour Party activist Shane Te Pou spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Hundreds of morehu are gathering in the small Rangitikei township of Rātana for the annual commemorations.

The three-day commemorations, marking the birth of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, come just days after a hui of national unity called by the Kingiitanga to discuss the new government's controversial plans for Māori.

RNZ reporter Pokere Paewai spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Joy turned to sadness on the Māhia Peninsula on Sunday after a pod of around 40 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins had to be euthanised.

Rescuers worked to successfully re-float the animals on the high tide after they began stranding at Taylor's Beach near Māhia township Sunday afternoon.

But they went on to re-strand at a remote beach further south.

Darren Grover from Project Jonah spoke to Charlotte Cook.

After record temperatures for parts of the country over the past few days, Aotearoa is due to get a reprieve.

MetService says it's been a warmer summer period this year, Auckland reached its highest temperature in four years on Sunday, and in Wellington the mercury edged towards 30 degrees.

But it's all about to change with a cool change forecast.

MetService meteorologist Clare O'Connor spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The New Zealand wood industry is closely watching the conflict in the Red Sea as global shipping costs are rising as a result of the disrupted supply chain.

Monique Steele has the rural news.

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has won the season-opening LPGA tournament in Florida and is now just one win away from being eligible for the Tour's Hall of Fame.

Felicity Reid has sport.

Insurer AMI says car thefts surged 43 percent last year, with lower-cost models more likely than others to be stolen. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Some Muriwai residents say it's the wild west when it comes to vehicles hooning along the local beach, with no clear rules or controls.

One person died and another two were injured when a vehicle rolled on the beach northwest of Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

In 2015 four people were killed in a similar accident.

Co-chair of the Muriwai Community Association Clare Bradley spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Act Party's proposed Treaty Principles Bill is headed for select committee, but some tangata whenua are pushing back, arguing it creates misinformation.

Around 10,000 people attended a one day hui at Tūrangawaewae Marae over the weekend to discuss the new government's policies.

Lawyer Dayle Takitimu was one of the first speakers at the Hui and called the government "treaty illiterate".

ACT Party leader David Seymour spoke to Charlotte Cook.

News from the rural farming sector.