Midday Report

Farmers have driven their tractors into towns and cities protesting against proposed new agricultural emissions rules.

They argue new rules are being imposed too quickly, and are too expensive. 

Māni Dunlop spoke to RNZ's reporters who are following the action in several centres.

A potential restructure at Stuff could see the number of journalists in regional newsrooms halved, Mediawatch understands. The media company proposes to counterbalance job losses by establishing a new regional team made up of a group regional editor, four news directors and nine breaking news reporters. Mediawatch's Hayden Donnell spoke with Mani Dunlop.

People in the Hamilton West electorate are set for a by-election The former Labour MP Gaurav Sharma has resigned from Parliament, claiming without proof that he was about to be forced out. That means a new representative is needed for the area. Dr Sharma is planning on setting up his own party to contest the seat. Our reporter Tom Taylor is there.

News from the rural farming sector That's right the average price at the fortnightly sale fell 4-point-6 percent overnight to $3723 USdollars a tonne. The joint winners of The Great New Zealand Sausage Compeititon say they're shocked and stoaked with the win. Prices for well presented cross-bred wool clips are slowly edging up - but poorer quality fleeces are still struggling to gain momentum.

Midday sports News for 19 October 2022 Blues midfielder Rieko Ioane has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby until the end of next year, as he chases selection for his second World Cup. The Black Ferns assistant coach Wes Clarke says while England can be beaten, he still believes they're the form team of the World Cup.

News from the business sector The Financial Markets Authority has given another online investment platform a formal warning for not complying with anti-money laundering requirements. As the dust starts to settle on yesterday's outsized and surprise rise in consumer prices, the head of one of the country's big accounting groups is suggesting the country should be reporting inflation numbers every month and not every three months. Rising commercial rents reflect a thriving prime office rental market in our major cities with interest from offshore investors further boosting demand.

Climate protesters who were arrested for blocking State Highway One Transmission Gully north of Wellington this morning will appear in Court this afternoon. Restore Passenger Rail says it could keep disrupting traffic for years because our emissions are leading us to climate disaster. They've been charged with tresspass and criminal nuisance. They want widespread and subsidised passenger rail services restore to help keep vehicles off the road. Mike Smith is co-chair of the iwi leaders forum climate change directorate and a well seasoned activist. Mani Dunlop spoke to him earlier about his thoughts on the protest.

Frustrated dairy and business owners have met with the police minister Chris Hipkins this morning, demanding more be done to stop ramraids and smash and grabs. There's been an increase in those crimes this year, after decades of falling youth offending rates. The businesses say it's costing them tens-of-thousands of dollars in security and repairs, and not enough is being done to protect them. Dairy owners representative Sunny Kaushal spoke with Mani Dunlop.

Midday news for 19th October 2022

As we've been reporting, inflation has remained largely flat, the annual rate easing marginally to 7.2 percent from 7.3 percent, which was a 32 year high.

One of the main drivers of inflation is fuel prices, and in an unusual set of circumstances, diesel now costs more than petrol in some regions.

AA principal policy adviser Terry Collins spoke to Māni Dunlop.