Midday Report

At Midday Report we start the show with the date and also the day of the Maramataka or the Māori Lunar Calendar.

Today for example today is Tirea - a low energy day but a good one to make progress; on a practical level it's also promising for crayfishing some areas would say.

And in the Far North council - they will be taking the maramataka to another level, aligning its formal meeting schedule with the calendar, after a presentation by tohunga, Rereata Makiha, earlier this week who is an expert in Maramataka.

The council's mayor Moko Tepania spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Dairy owners fed up with empty words from the government, say they need immediate action taken to protect workers.

They're planning a nationwide protest following the fatal stabbing of a worker during a robbery in Auckland.

The Rose Cottage Superette was turned down twice for a fog cannon despite a 15-year history of violence and theft.

The National Party's police spokesperson Mark Mitchell spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural farming sector

Midday sports News for 25 November 2022

News from the business sector

Controversy is surrounding Gore's new mayor.

23-year-old Ben Bell became mayor after beating six-term incumbent Tracy Hicks by only eight votes.

Mr Hicks' sought a recount, but a judge dismissed his bid.

The new mayor's term has been tumultuous with issues over expenses and his desire for his own executive assistant.

A majority of councillors also dispute Mr Bell's choice of deputy mayor, Stewart MacDonell, and are seeking to overturn it. 

Mr Bell is currently taking a break and can't be reached for comment.

But Mr MacDonell says he's concerned it all makes the council appear dysfunctional.

RNZ Southern reporter Tim Brown spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Stressed and overworked - senior and hospital doctors frustrations bubbled to the surface during a heated exchange with the Health Minister at their annual conference this morning. Andrew Little is refusing to say the healthcare system is in a crisis. That's despite weeks-long waits to see a GP forcing more people to go to Emergency Departments, where the queue can be several hours long. Members of the Association of Medical Specialists asked Mr Little when he's going to admit the healthcare system is in crisis, he responded that he is aware of the health system's -- quote -- challenging working conditions.

The national median weekly rent was back at its all-time high of $580/week in October, according to TradeMe's listings.

The company's property sales director Gavin Lloyd spoke to Charlotte Cook about which regions had the highest rents, and when the official cash rate hike would flow onto rental prices.

An inequality researcher is pushing for free GP visits in a bid to reduce pressure on hospital staff who are currently overwhelmed by demand.

Max Rashbrooke wrote the report - commissioned by the Association of Senior Medical Specialists - arguing the substantial benefits of making doctors visits free would well outweigh the costs.

He told Charlotte Cook hospital doctors have an interest because they are seeing patients who are in a much worse state, because they can't afford to go to their GP before their illness progresses.

News from the rural farming sector