Midday Report

Do you reckon you could tell the difference between a glass of tap water in Kaitaia and Balcutha?

What about exactly how good that water tastes?

That's the challenge for judges deciding New Zealand's Best Tasting Tap Water title.

In a week, the competition will be held in Dunedin, with Timaru the defending champs.

Max Towle spoke to Joshua McIndoe, chair of the Water Industry Operations Group

The average asking price for homes has tumbled in the past year, down by more than $100,000.

12 months ago we were closing in on a million dollars, now the average price is about $860,000.

But there is one interesting uptick in the latest data from Trade Me; the price of apartments in Christchurch is up more than $100,000.

Trade Me property sales director, Gavin Lloyd spoke to Max Towle.

News from the rural farming sector

Midday sports News for 11 May 2023

News from the business sector

Food price inflation is at its highest level in 36 years.

Stats NZ's food price index rose 12.5 percent in the year ended April - the highest annual rate since late 1987.

The main drivers were a 14 percent rise in grocery prices, and more than 22 percent for fruit and vegetables prices.

Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen spoke to Max Towle.

The Finance Minister Grant Roberston is warning next week's Budget will be "no frills" and have 4 billion dollars worth of savings over the next four years.

Speaking to a business audience on Thursday morning, Mr Robertson said the government had pushed to further prune spending and will focus on meeting people's basic needs in hard times.

Despite the savings, he said tax cuts remain off the table.

National Party finance spokesperson Nicola Willis spoke to Max Towle.

Teachers on strike are marching on parliament.

It's part of national action, with secondary and area school teachers in the lower North Island walking off the job.

The strike has gone ahead despite a new offer from the Education Ministry, which the PPTA said was not good enough.

Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Max Towle.

Most of the country has been suffering through some pretty rough weather in the past 24 hours, and unfortunately this won't be the end of it.

Mertservice is warning a chilly blast will roll through the country, bringing snow to some parts and there's still the risk of yet more rain to already sodden areas.

Metservice Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane spoke to Max Towle about the latest forecast.

News from the rural farming sector