Midday Report

Labour and National are frantically working to see if they can find a way to reschedule tomorrow night's leaders debate hosted by The Press, after Labour leader Chris Hipkins tested positive for Covid-19.

The debate, which will be the first since early voting opened this morning, was supposed to take place at Christchurch's town hall at 6 o'clock Tuesday night.

Mr Hipkins is now isolating since returning the positive test.

National's campaign manager, Chris Bishop, this morning suggested the debate could turn into one between the parties' deputies instead.

Labour's campaign manager Megan Woods, declined our interview request, but said in a statement her party had committed to doing four leader's debates.

Media trainer and former National Party press secretary Janet Wilson spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The National Party has condemned what it calls disgraceful and abusive behaviour being directed at political candidates, including its own, on the election campaign.

National's campaign manager, Chris Bishop, revealed some of their party members have been subject to abuse and intimidation - in particular from gang members

He cited a threatening social media video circulating from a Headhunters member, and also called out the Mongrel Mob's Harry Tam for holding meetings encouraging people to vote for Labour.

Tam spoke to Charlotte Cook.

There are early warnings that the just-arrived El Niño weather pattern could produce droughts as severe as ones suffered in 1982 and 1997. 

Monique Steele has the rural news.

Australia kept their slim hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive with a 34-14 win over Portugal in their final pool match.

Bridget Tunnicliffe has sports.

The effect of high migration on the economy is an important consideration for the the Reserve Bank and other policies makers. 

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Labour is promising to help new players set up in the country's grocery market to improve competition.

The party's consumer affairs spokesperson, Duncan Webb, announced this morning that if re-elected, Labour would provide support to companies wanting to enter the New Zealand grocery sector.

Support could include financial loans, making sure land is available and regulatory changes.

Labour's consumer affairs spokesperson, Duncan Webb, spoke to Charlotte Cook.

New Zealand Rugby is investigating reports of a white, drug-like substance visible on the broken Ranfurly Shield after Hawke's Bay's win against Wellington at the weekend.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union says the rugby taonga was spilt two after a player dropped it on a concrete floor on Sunday morning.

But since those revelations, further photos have been circulating online, showing lines of white powder on top of the broken shield.

RNZ's sports correspondent Jamie Wall spoke to Charlotte Cook.

NIWA is officially declaring El Niño Friday and is warning Aotearoa to prepare for a hot dry summer.

Its seasonal outlook also predicts dramatic temperature swings and stronger winds than usual for this time of year.

This weekend is set to reflect that, with strong gusts expected in the upper North Island, parts of the Hawkes Bay, and Canterbury.

NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The National Party have released their fiscal plan for Aotearoa on Friday.

RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson spoke to Charlotte Cook.

NIWA says an El Niño has officially arrived. The weather pattern brings strong winds which could cause dryness and drought to East Coast regions, like Canterbury, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.