Midday Report

A Havelock North mother who was told she should leave a local playground because her moko kauae was scaring children wants to meet again with the women who insulted her.

Jay Scott was with her own four children last week when the two women approached her, asked where she was from and told her there were other parks she could use.

It has sparked outrage and Jay Scott has been inundated with support. 

Māni Dunlop to the Assistant Children's Commissioner, and wāhine mau moko - Glenis Phillip-Barbara, who said she was surprised by the reaction to Ms Scott's moko kauae.

The government is backing Fonterra's capital restructure.

Can we expect a strong swimming contingent in Birmingham? - The latest in sport news with Leonard Powell.

The Government is throwing its backing behind a capital restructure for Fonterra. 

The latest business news with Nicholas Pointon.

After almost 9 months of misuse, the government has set up a new system for people that need a mask exemption.

Initially mask exemptions required no proof, but these were widely used by people who were anti-mask or without a legitimate reason.

The Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins, and Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni announced on Wednesday there would be an new process to issue cards to people who have genuine reasons for not being able to wear a mask.

Disabled Persons Assembly's Prudence Walker spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Transpower is being blamed for the massive power cut which left 34,000 people without electricity on one of the coldest nights of the year.

The Electricity Authority's delivered a final report on the cut in August last year putting responsibility on the national grid operator, saying households were unnecessarily cut off.

Business reporter, Nona Pelletier, spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The government reveals a six-year plan to prep the motu for climate change, and Transpower is blamed for mid winter blackouts last year.

Elon Musk has clinched a deal to buy Twitter for 44 billion US dollars.

The deal will shift control of the social media platform used by millions of users and global leaders to the world's richest person.

It's understood the company will now move into private ownership by Mr Musk, who owns Tesla.

To see how this might impact New Zealand users, Māni Dunlop spoke to social media commentator Vaughn Davis.

11 people died on the road over the long weekend.

 The road toll includes four teenagers in Invercargill.

Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce O'Brien said it was frustrating to see speeding, drugs or alcohol, distracted by devices and not wearing seatbelts, continue as common causes.

National Party's transport spokesperson, Simeon Brown, spoke to Māni Dunlop

News from the rural and farming sector with Kim Moodie.