Former finance minister Ruth Richardson spoke to Guyon Espiner ahead of Nicola Willis' budget.

A new report from Community Housing Aotearoa has warned homelessness has reached its highest level ever, with a shortage of affordable housing compounding the problem. The organisation's chief executive Paul Gilberd spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The top stories and other headlines at midday

The Midday Report Essentials podcast for 28 May 2026

Film and TV reviewer James Croot chooses his pick of options from this year's French Film Festival. He'll also preview A Private Life - a French film starring Jodie Foster in flawless français, and look at how the second season of Rivals measures up. James Croot is a TV Guide and The Press film and television reviewer

How do all the education changes affect students and what support might they need?

Tech commentator Alex Sims joins Nine to Noon to talk about the risks for businesses in the era of AI - citing an Australian example of a candle business who received a complaint about a broken candle with a clearly AI-doctored image. What does NZ law say about protections for businesses from this kind of behaviour? And chargebacks on credit cards can be great if your card is stolen, but Alex looks at how they can be used to scam businesses as well. Alex Sims is a Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law

David discusses how amalgamation plans are unfolding in North Canterbury, a funding boost for a new road, astrotourism in Kaikoura and the compulsory audit fees being questioned by several councils.

Lynn Freeman reviews Landfall 251: Autumn 2026 edited by Lynley Edmeades, published by Otago University Press.

Jitendra Bothara's research focused on challenges he believes are overlooked in modern engineering.