Midday Report

Local drug company maker AFT Pharmaceuticals has posted improved revenue and profits as acceptance of its Maxigesic pain relief drives growth.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Police have confirmed they are responding to threats made against hospitals and schools across New Zealand.

RNZ understands hospitals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are affected as well as a school in Auckland.

Reporter Jemima Huston spoke to Charlotte Cook.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is due to arrive in the capital Thursday - heightening expectations a coalition deal could be sealed.

National's Christopher Luxon and ACT's David Seymour are already in Wellington - both have expressed hope a deal to form a government could be closed soon.

Leaving Auckland Airport on his way to the capital, Peters had little to say to waiting reporters.

Political reporter Gyles Dexter spoke to Charlotte Cook.

It turns out life plans made between friends and held over drinks can actually turn into something tangible.

In Taranaki, five couples who bought the Urenui Hotel pub on a whim have no regrets and are looking forward to host the local watering hole.

The couples are hopeful the pub will open on December 15th, and their first live music event is set to be on December 22nd.

Two of the new owners, Stephen Houghton and Kayla Simpson spoke to Charlotte Cook.

In the Solomon Islands, it is now the third day of the Pacific Games and there's medals galore to be counted.

So far New Caledonia is in the lead with 17 gold medals but the men and women's Rugby League nines might just change the games.

RNZ's Senior Sports Reporter Iliesa Tora spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Zespri has released a record forecast. Prices paid to growers for the upcoming season are forecast to be really strong thanks to better fruit quality and descent demand from international markets.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

The All Whites have drawn one-all with Ireland in their football international in Dublin.

Barry Guy has sports.

Shares in pharmaceutical and animal care company Ebos have fallen more than 6 percent this morning after a potential $3 billion takeover deal has fallen through. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Coalition agreements are dragging into their 19th day - but there are expectations a deal could be signed on Thursday.

Just a few outstanding questions remain over ministerial roles - including the deputy prime ministership.

The leaders of National, ACT, and New Zealand First remain in Auckland for now - but National's president Sylvia Wood was spotted at the airport Wednesday morning, as was senior National MP Chris Bishop.

Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a series of meetings with the war cabinet and government ministers to discuss a proposed deal to free hostages held in Gaza.

If the deal - mediated by Qatar - is finally approved, the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas could be freed over the coming days in groups of about a dozen at a time.

Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages, taken when its fighters surged into Israel on October 7th, killing 1,200 people.

But Netanyahu said Israel's broader mission had not changed, saying war would continue until Hamas was destroyed.

University of Otago senior lecturer of Middle Eastern Politics Dr Leon Goldsmith spoke to Charlotte Cook.