Midday Report

Paediatricians are concerned but not surprised by the large rise in the number of preschoolers being hospitalised for preventable illnesses.

The figures are particularly worrying in Auckland.

According to information from Te Whatu Ora in June, preventable hospital admission for babies and preschoolers shot up by 35 percent - but in Auckland that number soared to 66 percent.

Te Whatu Ora blames ongoing challenges from Covid.

Auckland community paediatrician Dr Jin Russell spoke to Ben Strang.

Unemployment is on the rise, but those who are in work are earning higher wages.

The latest figures from Stats NZ show unemployment has increased to 3.9 percent in the last quarter, up from 3.6 percent.

The data is largely in line with market expectations and the Reserve Bank's unemployment forecast of 3.8 percent.

It also shows wages grew by 4.3 percent during the September quarter.

Trade Me Jobs sales director Matt Tolich spoke to Ben Strang.

It's Halloween and tonight trick or treaters will be out in force looking to scare up some sugary sweets from unsuspecting victims.

Christchurch woman Sammy Dickinson loves Halloween and spends thousands on house decorations and lollies.

Dickinson spoke to Ben about her Halloween preparations.

New research shows New Zealand households are spending an average of $238 a week on food - up nine percent on a year ago.

It seems animal products are back on the menu with a drop in the number of vegans.

The survey was carried out in August by Rabobank and the food rescue charity Kiwi Harvest.

Rabobank's head of sustainable business development Blake Holgate spoke to Ben Strang about some of the trends.

Farm sales are expected to pick up later this spring - with better weather and certainty around a new government.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi has won a record eighth Ballon d'Or for world player of the year.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

The NZX is a bear market -- after dropping more than 20 percent (21.2%) from its peak reached in early 2021. 

Anan Zaki has the business news.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says a hostage video released by Hamas on Monday is "cruel psychological propaganda".

In the video, three Israeli women face the camera, with one criticising Netanyahu for failing to protect Israeli citizens, and asking the government to come to an agreement to secure their release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

University of Otago director of international studies Professor Robert Patman spoke to Ben Strang

The owners of Whakaari White Island will learn this afternoon whether they breached workplace laws in the buildup to the deadly eruption in December 2019.

Twenty-two people were killed and 27 injured in the disaster.

The island is owned by the Buttle family.

In the Auckland District Court on Tuesday, Judge Evangelos Thomas will deliver a verdict on whether the family, through the company Whakaari Management, put workers and tourists at undue risk.

Reporter Amy Williams spoke to Ben Strang.

The United States is pressing Israel to protect civilians in Gaza and has pushed for an immediate increase in humanitarian aid.

Israel has begun a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip - and is now calling on residents to move south with urgency.

Hector Sharp is a New Zealander working with Palestinian refugees for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Sharp spoke to Ben Strang.