Midday Report

The Prime Minister is disputing claims raised by Labour MP Gaurav Sharma that bullying is rampant within Parliament.

Dr Sharma says that bullying is promoted by the party's whips and parliamentary service staff.

Jacinda Ardern explained why the whips and parliamentary service took action, saying she is confident the issues are confined to Dr Sharma and do not reflect a wider problem across parliament.

News from the rural farming sector for 12 August 2022

Midday sports News for 12 August 2022 - the beleaguered All Blacks coach Ian Foster remains buoyant despite facing the prospect of a sixth loss in seven games and could end his tenure in the job.

News from the business sector for 12 August 2022

Helicopter operators are worried the Civil Aviation Authority's safety inspection systems are still not up to scratch, despite the problems being pointed out for decades.

Helicopter operators are worried the Civil Aviation Authority's safety inspection systems are still not up to scratch, despite the problems being pointed out for decades.

The Coroner's report on the deaths of seven people in a helicopter crash on Fox Glacier in 2015 discusses issues with the Authority's inadequate safety inspections saying the same problems had been identified following other fatal crashes. 

The Authority told the inquest it had made changes to its organisational structure, surveillance and the training of regulatory staff.

But the Coroner Marcus Elliott said the Authority had cited the same sorts of changes in the past but the problems remained, and there was not enough evidence for him to determine whether its latest assertions had made a difference. 

The New Zealand Helicopter Association's chair Scott McKenzie spoke to Māni Dunlop about whether the problems were being fixed.

The Labour Party whips have responded to MP Gaurav Sharma's claims of bullying in parliament as it works to resolve issues between him and his staff.

Backbencher Dr Sharma has blasted his party, the Prime Minister's office and the Parliamentary Service saying MP-on-MP bullying is rampant, and even promoted and facilitated by party whips.

Māni Dunlop got the latest on the developing story from political reporter Anneke Smith.

Waikato District Council wants more people to enter this year's local body election.

Nominations in the region are low - only three of the district's 10 wards have enough candidates to hold an election.

With the deadline for all election nominations coming up at midday tomorrow, Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson joins Māni Dunlop on Midday Report.

The Defence Minister is home after a trip to Solomon Islands amid heightened tensions around the Pacific.

The government's trying to bolster relationships throughout the region after Solomon Islands signed a wide-reaching security agreement with China earlier in the year.

Māni Dunlop asked the minister Peeni Henare what progress had been made on Aotearoa's 'maritime security' work plan with the Solomons.

A government task force is ready to act if a case of foot and mouth disease is confirmed here.

Black Caps sneak home in first T20 international against the West Indies.