Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 27 June 2024

The rising of the Matariki star cluster on the horizon heralds Te Matahi o te Tau, the Maori New Year, a time to remember those who have passed over the last year and plan for the one ahead. Tomorrow Aotearoa will mark the official rising with celebrations, commemorations and in tune with this year's theme "Matariki Heri Kai" - plenty of food. RNZ presenter Mihingarangi Forbes spoke to Charlotte Cook. A state of emergency in the coastal Hawkes Bay settlement of Haumoana has just been lifted. It was declared on Tuesday as high seas and bad weather pounded the small township. Up to 90 homes were re-evacuated last night with the high tide. Hastings District Council incident controller Clint Adamson spoke to Charlotte Cook.The Hawkes Bay Regional Council is being accused of playing Russian roulette with the town over its management of the Wairoa River Bar - as the town mops up from yet another devastating flood. The Council is investigating whether a channel on the Wairoa River bar should have been dug sooner to release the swollen Wairoa River - admitting it may have contributed to the flooding. Its Chair Hinewai Ormsby says decisions about opening the bar were made on the best forecasting information available at the time. The Commodore of the Wairoa Yacht Club Adrian Mayhead spoke to Charlotte Cook.