Midday Report

Far North Solar Farm wants to install enough solar panels to power a hundred thousand homes on 670 hectares of land that's currently used for dairy farming.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Occupying the crease for as long as possible on day three is the aim for the Black Caps heading into day three of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Sylhet.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

Genesis Energy is planning to spend more than a billion dollars on renewable energy projects over the next decade, but says it will still need the fossil fuel fired Huntly Power Station to back up power supply well into the future.

Anan Zaki has the business news.

After six years in government the Labour Party is back on the opposition benches - and has announced its shadow cabinet.

Many of the roles are a continuation of the portfolios MPs held while in government, although some roles have had to be changed due to the departure of two senior figures.

Political reporter Katie Scotcher was at the announcement and spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Te Whatu Ora says health staff are investigating the risk of asbestos after a fire tore through a temporary housing complex in Auckland early Thursday morning - leaving four families homeless.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Coronation Road in Mangere Bridge about three o'clock.

The accommodation is part of a complex owned by the Pasifika Church and a spokesperson has said up to 30 people were inside.

No one was injured and fire investigators are now trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

Assistant commander and incident controller Chris Delfos spoke to Charlotte Cook.

From December internet giant Google will be shutting down accounts that haven't be accessed in two years.

It's part of a plan to tighten security, minimising the risk of hackers getting access to people's old files.

Technology commentator Peter Griffin says it's been in the plans for a while.

Griffin spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The court has reserved its decision in the appeal hearing over David Tamihere's double murder conviction.

The Crown has argued that despite perjured evidence, the case stands against Tamihere who was convicted and served 20-years for the murders of Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen.

A two-day hearing wrapped up in Wellington Wednesday afternoon.

Jemima Huston spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Livestock Improvement Corporation's is paying farmers over $2 million over semen quality issues.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Black Caps allrounder Glen Phillips believes the last couple of days will have the most influence on the first test against Bangladesh.

Barry Guy has sports.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has reported revenue and profit growth in the first half, despite rising costs and a drop in Covid-related demand. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.