Midday Report for Wednesday 27 October 2021

12:55 PM.New Zealand's Covid response minister, Chris Hipkins signalled yesterday there'll soon be changes to MIQ including shorter stays and eventually the whole system will be replaced with home isolation.

… Read more Audio

12:46 PM.A new species of whale has been identified.

It's called the 'Ramari's beaked whale', and it's named after tohunga tohora - or whale expert - Ramari Stewart who helped identify the mammal as a… Read more Audio

12:43 PM.Hunters want to help protect the country's conservation estate, but say they need to be included in conversations about culling deer, pigs and goats.

Forest & Bird has created a series of maps from… Read more Audio

12:35 PM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

12:26 PM.The Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson has highlighted Pakistan's clinical efficiency in both their bowling and batting as the difference between the two sides in their T20 world cup match in Sharjah.

12:20 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

12:16 PM.Consumers are paying up to $200 more for power each year, subsidising a deal for the Tiwai Point smelter to continue.

An Electricity Authority review has focused on the smelter's role in electricity… Read more Audio

12:12 PM.The Government is pressing ahead with its nationwide three waters reforms, making them compulsory despite stiff opposition from local councils.

The government will now set up working groups to guide… Read more Audio

12:00 PM.The Government will force local councils to be part of its Three Waters reforms, as it pushes ahead with the major changes. The Christchurch Mayor says the Government's decision is robbing local… Read more Audio