Midday Report for Wednesday 8 July 2020

12:48 PM.Te Araroa locals believed it was only a matter of time before rubbish would spill out of an old dumpsite near the Awatere River on the East Cape.

Heavy rain burst the bank of the dump site on Monday… Read more Audio

12:46 PM.The former Labour Environment Minister, Marian Hobbs, was this morning ousted as chair of the Otago Regional Council.

She's held the role since last year's October elections.

But three-quarters of… Read more Audio

12:44 PM.Hamish Walker will not seek re-election for the Clutha-Southland electorate.

RNZ political reporter Jo Moir updates Māni Dunlop. Read more Audio

12:35 PM.The Immigration Minister has announced changes which he says will better support seasonal workers stranded in New Zealand due to Covid-19.

Eric Frykberg has rurals. Read more Audio

12:28 PM.International cricket returns during the coronavirus pandemic tonight - as England host the West Indies in the first Test behind closed doors in Southampton.

Clay Wilson has sport. Read more Audio

12:18 PM.There have been reports of panic buying as five million Melbourne residents prepare to go back into lockdown tonight.

The state of Victoria is implementing six weeks of restrictions after it recorded… Read more Audio

12:15 PM.A privacy lawyer says the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust charity may have to pay compensation to those whose information was leaked by  to National MP Hamish Walker and, subsequently, the media.

… Read more Audio

12:00 PM.The National MP Hamish Walker's future hangs in the balance; The Government iinvests $761 million into.water systems; Melbourne prepares for lockdown.

Nicola Wright has the news. Read more Audio