Midday Report

Midday sports News for 13 March 2023

Rain is threatening to rob the Black Caps and Sri Lanka of the chance to win the opening test at Hagley Oval.

News from the business sector

The Police Minister says the level of crime concerns him but he doesn't believe things are out of control.

At an event in Mangere this morning Stuart Nash spoke to reporters after a weekend of crime in Auckland, including the stabbing of a bus driver, a body being found in a carpark and a gang shooting.

The National Party on Monday said new police data showing a 40 percent increase in retail crime over the past 4 years was alarming.

There is now an average of two hundred and ninety two retail crime incidents recorded per day.

But police said the data was skewed, partly because new systems make it easier to report retail crime.

Retail NZ's chief executive, Greg Harford, spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The cost of food continues to skyrocket as the latest data shows a 12 percent increase on February last year.

Stats NZ says this is the biggest annual hike since September 1989.

It comes as the New Zealand stock exchange has dropped 1.3 percent since the end of Friday after the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank sent US stock markets tumbling.

Māni Dunlop spoke to Infometrics director and principal economist Brad Olsen

Performers are halfway through the Polyfest competition in Tāmaki Makaurau.

RNZ Pacific reporter Susana Suisuiki was there and spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama and the suspended Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho have pled not guilty to abuse of office charges.

They appeared in court this morning, after spending the night in custody.

The charges relate to a complaint laid with the police by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019.

RNZ Pacific's Koroi Hawkins spoke to Charlotte Cook.

News from the rural farming sector

Midday sports News for 10 March 2023 The Sri Lakan cricketers have moved onto 336 for nine in their first innings early on day two of the opening test against the Black Caps in Christchurch.

News from the business sector

50,000 teachers will go on strike next Thursday, closing kindergartens, primary, intermediate, and high schools.

The general manager of employment relations and pay equity at the Ministry of Education Mark Williamson told Charlotte Cook they hoped to avert the industrial action by meeting with union representatives next Wednesday.