Midday Report

News from the business sector for 18 August 2022

There's flooding in Northland which is getting drenched by the heavy rain. 

The main road through Kaeo is flooded, and emergency services are being hampered by the rain. 

Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Zach Woods provided an update for RNZ.

In the Richmond Ranges which run between Nelson and Marlborough, locals say rivers and creeks are running higher than they've ever seen them. 

The worst affected areas are Canvastown, Rai Valley, Pelorus, and Okiwi Bay 

Marlborough emergency management officer Gary Spence spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Nelson residents are starting to get a clearer picture of the damage to homes today after hundreds had to be evacuated due to rising floodwaters, and increasing risks of land slides. 

On Devinish Place on Tāhunanui Hill, the road has been scoured out by floodwater.

A state of emergency is still in force -- and more rain is on the way. 

RNZ reporter Kirsty Frame spoke to Māni Dunlop from Nelson

The president of Vanuatu has announced he will not be dissolving parliament.

It follows a shift in the balance of power, after 17 government MPs crossed the floor to join 10 opposition counterparts in filing a motion of no confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister, Bob Loughman.

RNZ Pacific's Lydia Lewis reports.

Te Arawa leader and longtime Maori education advocate, Sir Toby Curtis, has died aged 83. The Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Rongomai kaumatua died at his home at Lake Rotoiti early this morning, surrounded by whanau. Former MP and Te Arawa Lakes Trustee, Te Ururoa Flavell who has worked and known Ta Toby for many years pays tribute to him and touches on just some of his legacy

The under-fire national polytechnic Te Pukenga has announced the resignation of its chief executive Stephen Town.

The institute was facing a $100 million deficit.

RNZ's education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural farming sector The log-jam was predicted months ago with labour shortages affecting meat plants and the lamb kill running months late, so co-inciding with the bobby calf peak. Farmers in Tasman and The West Coast are being warned to move stock to higher ground immediately as heavy rain lashes the regions. Global dairy prices have fallen for the fifth consecutive time in the global dairy auction overnight.

Midday sports News for 22 August 2022 The Wellington Phoenix men's footballers are very serious about their Australia Cup campaign - which continues with tonight's round of 16 game against Melbourne City. England captain Ben Stokes says South Africa "seem to be doing a lot of talking" before the start of the first cricket Test at Lord's tonight. Australian rugby league player Corey Norman has been handed an eight-match suspension for sticking his fingers up the backside of an opponent while playing for Toulouse in an English Super League match last week.

News from the business sector Fletcher Building has delivered a strong full year result on the back of a strong construction market and demand for products ..with an outlook for further growth. NZ Automotive Investment's annual meeting next month is shaping up to be more contentious, after it's been hit by another setback. Tighter bank lending and a downturn in the housing market has seen growing demand for non-bank mortgages in the regions.