Midday Report

Many pro athletes are openly talking about their periods - including golfer Lydia Ko who said her menstrual cycle causes back pain.

Her casual comment made headlines, but one expert says discussing periods should be normal.

Female athlete performance physiologist Stacy Sims says all women could be using their hormones to increase their performance.

Dr Sims spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural and farming sector.

Midday Sports update for Wednesday 4 May 2022

Midday Business update inluding a market report.

The government is increasing support for people who struggle to access drivers license testing and training.

With an $86.5 million investment in Budget 2022, the government estimates 64,000 more people will be able to get a licence.

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says having a drivers licence is necessary for about two-thirds of jobs, but a big proportion of the community can't access training or tests due to the cost and other barriers.

The Minister spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is planning to seek a judicial review of the decision to trespass him from Parliament.

The New Zealand First leader is among several high-profile people who have been issued with trespass notices after attending February's anti-mandate protest.

Mr Peters says he wants to seek a precedent on behalf others who were trespassed from Parliament's grounds for peacefully protesting.

Meanwhile, the ACT party is the sole party in Parliament that thinks former MPs should be exempt from attempts to trespass. 

The party's leader David Seymour spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Midday News update for Wednesday 4 May 2022

Work has started on building the country's first green hydrogen refuelling site in Palmerston North.

It'll be run by Hiringa Energy and Waitomo group.

It's supported by a $16 million loan from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery fund; with a further $6 million grant from the EECA dollar for new heavy vehicles.

Hiringa Energy's chief executive Andrew Clennett spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The Green Party has amended its constitution to no longer require a male co-leader.

The two co-leaders must now include one woman, and one person of any gender.

One leader also must be Māori.

University of Auckland lecturer in New Zealand politics and public policy Lara Greaves (Ngāti Kuri, Ngāpuhi) spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural and farming sector.