Midday Report

News from the business sector, including a market report.

In Tāmaki Makaurau, the police responded to seven firearms incidents overnight.

No injuries have been reported, but the message RNZ is hearing from people in Ōtara, Papatoetoe, Flat Bush, Papakura, Te Atatū, Henderson and Mt Albert is that they feel shaken and scared.

Police Superintendent Jill Rogers is speaking to media at the moment, and says two of the addresses have no known links to gangs, and there have been 12 known firearms incidents across Counties Manukau since the weekend - but police are certain there were actually more. 

Earlier, police said they were disgusted by the callous behaviour - that the offenders showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others by this indiscriminate and reckless use of firearms in public.

Max Towle spoke to RNZ reporter Rayssa Almeida who has been talking with neighbours at the different locations.

In the US at least 18 children and three adults have been killed in a school shooting this morning in South Texas.

Robb Elementary School is in the city of Uvalde, about 130 kilometres west of San Antonio.

The gunman, identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, is believed to have been killed by police.

US correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Max Towle.

Another school shooting in the US, and seven drive by shootings in Auckland overnight leave neighbours in fear.

New Zealanders interest in online shopping continues to grow, with spending in the first three months of this year a third higher than last year, according to NZ Post.

It says we spent more than $2.2 billion online for physical goods - 77% of which went to local businesses.

NZ Post's general manager of business marketing Chris Wong spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The Government's putting extra money into Māori education to improve teaching spaces and increase staffing levels.

The funding comes from this year's Budget, and includes nearly $50 million for Māori immersion, $30 million for workforce development; and more than $100 million to spend on properties.

The associate minister of education Kelvin Davis spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps' stand-in captain Tom Latham believes the squad still got plenty out of their four day game against Sussex- despite losing days one and four to rain. The match ended in a draw - with consistent drizzle washing out the final day's play in Hove. New Zealand finished on 40 without loss in their second innings - with a lead 135 runs.

US President Joe Biden has put an end to his country's strategic ambiguity, saying it would come to Taiwan's military defence if China invaded.

Taiwan is home to the world's most advanced semiconductor and microchip manufacturer, TSMC.

Taiwan is a self-governed democracy, but China still claims the territory as its own.

University of Canterbury professor Alex Tan spoke to Māni Dunlop about the geopolitical power struggles taking place. 

He also said President Biden's comments on military defence do not mark a major change in policy.