Midday Report

New Zealand comedian Rhys Darby is centre stage in New York today as he hosts the International Emmy Awards. The awards recognise "excellence in television" that is produced outside the United States. Entertainment journalist Sandro Monetti spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The negotiations to form a government are now in the midst of their eighteenth day - and there is no real clue when these ongoing talks might end. The incoming Pime Minister Christopher Luxon says they are on the "home stretch" but can't say when there will be an answer. It's currently looking like they are working towards a three-way coalition between National, ACT and New Zealand First. Our poltical reporter Anneke Smith has been part of the stake out, as the country waits for answers.

Former All Black coach Ian Foster and his assistant Joe Schmidt are reportedly in line to coach French club Montpellier.

Midday Business News for 21 November 2023

The union representing retail staff says it's a sad indictment on the public that customers need to be told to respect workers. Woolworths says there has been a 131% rise in physical assaults against its staff in the last six months and it's rolling out a public information campaign and fresh security measures to combat it. Dennis Maga is the General Secretary of First Union which represents retail staff.

The United Nations says two thirds of the 2.3 million people in Gaza are now homeless. Speaking today UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world is witnessing an unparalleled and unprecedented level of civilian death compared to any other conflict in his more than six years in office. He also expressed deep shock that two UN-run schools were hit in Gaza in less than 24 hours, killing and injuring dozens of people. Our correspondent at the UN, William Denselow, spoke to Charlotte Cook about what the Secretary General had to say.

News from the rural farming sector.

Concerns are mounting about the spread of an exotic seaweed on Aotea Great Barrier Island. The caulerpa weed can cause devastating environmental damage and a ban on anchoring and fishing is already in place in some areas. But there are calls for more urgent action heading into the busy summer season. Barry Scott is the Deputy Chair of the Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust.

Three shops have been gutted and a person is in hospital after an early morning fire in the small south Canterbury town of Fairlie. Four fire trucks responded to the blaze on the town's main street about two o'clock this morning. Later in the morning a Fire and Emergency support vehicle rolled while trying to transport gear to the scene - one person became trapped and had to be rescued by emergency services. Investigators are now trying to determine the cause of the fire. Fairlie Bakehouse owner Franz Lieber witnessed the ordeal.

News from the rural farming sector.