Midday Report

There's some tension in the log trade.

The Phoenix remain upbeat about their A-League chances despite a recent slump.

ANZ is beginning to see pressure on earnings.

An investigation into the Interislander ferry which lost power and drifted along the Cook Strait has sent an industry-wide warning to vessel operators.

The Kaitaki was unable to restart its engines when they failed in January, because one of the ship's safety-critical rubber expansion joints had ruptured.

That joint had been manufactured in 2005 and installed in 2018 - but the Transport Accident Investigation Commission says the joints should be no older than eight months when installed, and replaced every five years.

[picture id="4MCS8CL_copyright_image_259546" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Kiwirail's Chief Executive, Peter Reidy, spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Kiwirail says recent bad weather is behind the overhead train line problem which caused widespread disruption this morning.

Almost all Auckland morning peak train services were cancelled today due to the arcing of the overhead lines at Grafton.

Kiwirail had to turn the power off to the lines to safely investigate the problem.

It caused chaos for commuters in Auckland, leaving many passengers frustrated and angry.

[picture id="4O32MIT_copyright_image_135115" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Kiwirail's Chief Operations Officer Siva Sivapakkiam explained what happened to Charlotte Cook.

In a world first, scientists have observed the moment that a dying star consumed a planet - a fate that eventually awaits Earth.

While astronomers have previously seen planets just before and just after being engulfed by a star, this is the first time that a planetary demise has been witnessed.

The lead author of the study, Kishalay De of MIT University, says the discovery came from his study into the brightness of stars.

The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Kelvin Davis, has today been brushing off Meka Whaitiri's comments about why she quit the party.

The Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP and Minister yesterday shocked everyone when she announced she was switching to become a Te Pati Maori representative.

When asked for her reasons, she described the move as a homecoming, and a feeling of shackles being unlocked.

Mihingarangi Forbes, the host of RNZ's political programme and podcast Mata, spoke to Charlotte Cook.

There's solid support for a new coastal shipping route between Napier and Gisborne.

Sally Murphy has the rural news.

The Black Caps remain upbeat despite a series loss to Pakistan.

Stephen Hewson has sport.

The BNZ has posted a solid rise in profits on the back of  growth in lending.

Anan Zaki has business.