Midday Report

A journalist who uncovered crucial evidence about Alan Hall's case, which Crown Law then failed to act upon for four years, is calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into how the case was handled between 2018 and 2021. In 2018, journalist Mike Wesley-Smith, who was investigating the death of Arthur Easton for a podcast, found important information which he passed onto Crown Law, as well as Police and the Ministry of Justice. However Crown Law did not act on that information, and Alan Hall spent an additional four years behind bars before the Supreme Court overturned the conviction. Today, an independent report has cleared Crown Law of any wrongdoing in how it handled that information. Charlotte Cook speaks with Mike Wesley-Smith about the findings of that report.

The music world is mourning the loss of rock n roll queen, Tina Turner who has died at the age of 83. She rose from humble beginnings and overcame an abusive marriage to become one of the most popular female artists of all time. Joining me now is Music 101 presenter Charlotte Ryan.

An invasive clam which reproduces rapidly has been discovered in the Waikato River, It's the first time the clam, called the Gold clam, has been found in New Zealand. It is a potential threat to native species, as in large populations the clams can consume a lot of plankton. Stuart Anderson is MPI's Deputy Director General of Biosecurity

News from the rural farming sector

Midday Sport News for 25 May 2023

News from the business sector.

Convicted murderer Mark Lundy is seeking his second chance at parole today. Mark Lundy has convicted of the double homicide of his wife Christine and daughter Amber at their Palmerston North home in 2000. He's served 21 years behind bars and has maintained his innocence throughout. Jimmy Ellingham has been following the case, I asked him what's happened so far today.

The Reserve Bank Govenor has defended his support of Labour's budget in front of a select committee after rising the offical cash rate once again. Members of Parliament have spent the morning grilling Adrian Orr over his decision to raise the rate to 5-point-5 percent - although he's signalled he intends to hold it there for a while. The Reserve Bank also warned that up to a quarter of some household's income will be spent on debt payments by the end of this year, as higher mortage repayments bite. Kiwi Bank's chief economist Jarrod Kerr joins me now.

Conservationists and bird lovers are relieved to see immediate action from a Florida Zoo, but believe little Paora the kiwi should be coming back to Aotearoa. Zoo Miami has apologised and says it's embarrassed after footage emerged showing the kiwi in a brightly lit room, being touched by visitors crowded around it, some of them comparing it to a puppy. The Zoo says it is taking the concerns very seriously, and the Kiwi Encounter will no longer be offered - effective immediately. Whangarei Native Bird Recovery's Robert Webb speaks to Charlotte Cook.

Christopher Luxon says the National Party is using artifical intelligence responsibly in its social media images. National was critisised for using AI in its latest political campaign online, including AI generated images of nurses, robbers, and a crime victim. It's raised questions about the growing use of artifical intelligence in advertising, and the ethical implications for political advertising. University of Auckland Professor and Artifical intelligence expert Michael Witbrock speaks with Charlotte Cook