Midday Report

News from the business sector

Cost of living increases are running high worldwide -- the latest figures show the consumer price index across developed countries in the OECD was at 10.2 percent in the year to the end of July, the tiniest fall from the prior month.

Māni Dunlop asked University of Otago economist Dr Murat Ungor about the global picture.

The government is defending high failure rates in trial writing and maths tests - saying the tests are still under development. Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The Australian government's promised a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous voice to parliament by changing the constitution.

It's being met with criticism from all sides.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe is calling it a waste of money, saying a referendum isn't required to have a treaty.

Others say Australia is not ready - given its horrendous history of how colonisers treated, and continue to negate the rights of, First Nations people.

Linda Burney is the first ever female first nations Minister for Indigenous Australians. She spoke to Māni Dunlop on Midday Report to talk about the upcoming referendum.

The emergency housing sector is under fresh scrutiny after an expose on TVNZ's Sunday programme showed sub-standard accommodation, and tenants being placed at sexual, emotional and physical risk.

The Māori Party says an inquiry is needed.

Kahungunu Whānau Services provides emergency and transitional housing in Wellington.

Its chief executive Ali Hamlin-Paenga - who's also standing for the city-wide Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward - spoke to Māni Dunlop on Midday Report.

American Frances Tiafoe played the match of his life to beat second seed Rafa Nadal in 4 sets in the fourth round of the U.S. Open.

News from the business sector

It's been an icy morning in the South - after rain, hail, snow and frosty temperatures turned Southern roads into ice sheets this morning.

Temperatures dropped rapidly yesterday as a blast of Antarctic air swept northwards.

This morning, the Lake Tekapo weather station recorded minus 7.1 degrees celsius.

And snow has even been falling in some of Wellington's hill suburbs this morning.

RNZ's Dunedin reporter Tim Brown was on the scene and spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Children under 14 years old caught doing ram raids will be given intensive support to steer them away from crime, and towards study and work.

The move is part of a $53 million Government package extending education and and employment programmes to thousands of at-risk young people.

National party leader Christopher Luxon says it's window-dressing, and the government should have focused more on penalties and punishment.

The police minister Chris Hipkins spoke to Māni Dunlop about the package.

Midday News for 6 September 2022.