Midday Report

Midday sports News for 2 March 2023 After his success on the PGA Champions tour last year Steve Alker says he felt a responsibility to return to the New Zealand Open which tees off today.

News from the business sector

The Agriculture Minister says the size and cost of the sector's long-term recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle remains unclear, but paying for it will take everyone involved. 

He says 1200 of the 2000 growers and farmers who've asked for help cleaning up have received payments. 

But some already know they will be unable to return to full operations for months or years. 

The flow on effects are already hitting New Zealanders in the pocket with some produce prices doubling since the cyclone struck. 

Damien O'Connor spoke to Māni Dunlop from Field Days in Dargaville.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Judy has left a trail of destruction throughout many of Vanuatu's islands overnight. 

Power and communication lines are still out in the Southern Islands of Erromango and Tanna making it near impossible to get hold of people.

Despite the cyclone now being south of the islands, there are still heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms. 

And, right behind Judy - another cyclone is brewing, it has been named Kevin.

Fiji's warning centre says Kevin is currently a category 1 and is forecast to intensify to a category two tonight, with the potential to hit three with devastating effects.

It will hit Vanuatu tonight.

Vanuatu's prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau

Tropical Cyclone Judy is slamming into Vanuatu and it's bringing wind gusts well over 150 kilometres per hour.

Cyclone Judy is already damaging homes, bringing down trees, and causing widespread power cuts.

It's currently a category three storm, but is forecast to intensify to category four later today.

Flights are being cancelled, schools are closing - the same with banks - and government workers have been told to stay home.

Radio Vanuatu was forced offline following a power cut.

Worldwatch's Max Towle heard the latest from journalist Dan McGarry in Vanuatu.

Thousands of Auckland University students' classes are cancelled today and tomorrow morning, as tertiary education union members go on strike.

This afternoon, nearly 1200 union members will rally outside the Clock Tower on Princes Street demanding the university offer pay rises of at least 5%, and keep terms and conditions such as long service leave in collective agreements.

At the moment, the union says non-union members' pay is around 5% higher.

Organiser Nicole Wallace spoke with Māni Dunlop.

The recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle's expected to cost more than ten billion dollars, but experts say it'll take more than just cash.

Insurer IAG's modelling shows one percent of homes - 20,000 - around the country are at risk of severe flooding.

So how do we build back better?

Massey University Professor Regan Potangaroa spoke with Māni Dunlop

This week, we will be giving regular civil defence announcements at this time every day for listeners in Tai Rawhiti and Hawkes Bay rural communities many of whom remain isolated. In Tai Rawhiti Two homes have been asked to evacuate on Waimata Valley Road. The road is closed today while an urgent inspection is carried out on the road All transfer stations are open around the region, Waste Management is also open today and accepting flood-damaged goods for free In Te Matau a Maui - Hawkes Bay Helicopters are continuing to deliver essential supplies to isolated communities. Today's flights are going to Te Pohue, Tutira, Waikoau, Te Haroto and Rissington. These flights include teams to do rapid needs assessments. If you have received fuel or LPG in previous supply drops, please bring the empty jerry cans and gas cylinders back to your local hub so they can be refilled. People who are still isolated are reminded to let the coordinator of their local community hub know if they have particular needs for supplies. Unison is meeting with rural communities including Tangoio and Tutira today. That was a special civil defence announcement for listeners in the Tai Rawhiti and Hawkes Bay regions. We will have more at the same time tomorrow here on Midday Report.

News from the rural farming sector Rural advocates say not knowing when cyclone damaged back country roads in Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay will re-open is de-stablising farmers' mental health. Rural insurer FMG is calling on the help of external providers and overseas assessors to process claims for Cylone Gabrielle. A farmer in a remote cut off settlement north of Napier says they're struggling and feeling forgotten 16 days since the cyclone came through.

Midday sports News for 1 March 2023 New Zealand rugby has unveiled the timeline for appointing a new All Blacks coach. The Black Caps coach Gary Stead says their historic one run win over England is testament to the side's strength of character, amid some poor recent results. The World Cup winning Black Ferns will play a test against the Wallaroos in Australia in June and tests against Canada and the US in Canada in July as they seek to defend their Pacific Four Series title.