Midday Report

A political commentator says it's concerning the Prime Minister's chief of staff could walk back into a lobbying role the day after leaving the top office.

Chris Hipkins told Morning Report his top staff member had a 24-hour stand-down period before taking up the role, having previously worked for a trans-Tasman government relations company.

The Prime Minister says there is no restraint of trade clause on the Chief of Staff Role.  Associate Professor at Auckland University Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment told Charlotte Cook she thinks there should be.

News from the rural farming sector.

Midday sports News for 4 April 2023. The golfing Cold War between the PGA tour and the breakaway LIV golf tour appears to be thawing - at least among the players.

News from the business sector

A cyber security expert says it's not surprising more cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies are being installed in government departments.

Both Hikvision or Dahua cameras are party state owned by the CCP and have been found in government buildings, but neither Labour or National are concerned.

CyberCX executive director of security Adam Boileau explains.

The main link between Wellington and the Kapiti coast has been closed since 6.40 this morning, when a fuel tanker and another vehicle collided.

A specialist hazardous materials unit, eight fire engines and a tanker are working to clear a significant fuel spill from the crash - but Transmission Gully might not be open in time for rush hour this evening.

Reporter Jemima Huston gave Midday Report the latest.

The people of Paris have spoken in a referendum - there will be no more E-scooters in their city.

Almost 90 per cent of voters favoured a ban on the battery-powered mode of transport, in a blow to scooter operators but a triumph for safety campaigners.

So will E-scooters end up being turfed out in New Zealand?

Dr Tim Welch, who specialises in transportation and urban modelling at the University of Auckland, says the two countries have taken very different approaches.

Note: In this interview Dr Welch says there no people have died from being hit by e-scooters in New Zealand.

In 2019, 23-year-old Toben Hunt died after an accident riding a Lime scooter in Auckland

An economist says concerns an increased living wage will push up inflation are unfounded.

The living wage will jump to $26 in September - an almost 10 per cent rise.

Economist and Director of Policy at New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Craig Renney, told Charlotte Cook it's common for people to be concerned that this will further hurt inflation, but the data doesn't back that up.

News from the rural farming sector

Midday sports News for 3 April 2023 The Warriors coach Andrew Webster has credited the players and his staff for helping improve the side's resilience and says he's never been involved with a group with as much mental fortitude.