Dame Jools Topp of the legendary New Zealand folk duo the Topp Twins has died from breast cancer at the age of 68. Dame Jools and her her sister Lynda entertained audiences for more than 40 years, writing songs and creating comedy characters that captured Kiwi culture - and also challenged it - helping define a eneration of social change. Arani Cuthbert has been the Topp Twins' manager since 1992. She spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The top stories and other headlines at midday

Liz does a deep-dive into regional spatial planning, which is a new mandated requirement in the Planning Bill.

Award-winning Raglan creamery's journey away from traditional dairy farming.

Gareth, Tim and Susie discuss recent events in politics including the pre-Budget announcements.

David discusses Akaroa's struggles with sewer overflows, the uncertain future of Pegasus Town north of Christchurch, Lyttelton Port avoids prosecution over worker accident and the Cantabrian inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame.

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore in Auckland reviews Fruit Fly by Josh Silver, published by Penguin Random House.

A new debut novel is at its heart a story about male relationships and how men connect with each other through shared endeavours.

Queenstown group happy about funding for wilding pines effort; Rent prices starting to soften; WHO says Ebola outbreak "deeply worrisome"; Funding boost for maritime security; "No lolly scramble in budget" - PM

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.