Midday Report for Thursday 16 December 2021

12:55 PM.New Caledonia's political parties have been asked to draw up proposals for the territory's new statute within the French republic - following Sunday's referendum.

More than 96 percent of people voted… Read more Audio

12:46 PM.Researchers have made new discoveries about the Tohorā or Southern Right Whale's migration and feeding patterns.

The whales were nearly hunted to extinction in the waters around Aotearoa a century… Read more Audio

12:42 PM.The Government is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into upgrading 24 hospitals throughout the country.

The Health Minister Andrew Little says 30 intensive care beds will be added. 

But vice… Read more Audio

12:35 PM.The produce company T&G Global has announced it will pour in millions of dollars developing robots to expand its apples business to meet growing consumer demand. Audio

12:28 PM.Test number two in the Ashes all set to go in Adelaide. Audio

12:17 PM.Protestors against the vaccine mandate are now en route to Parliament after gathering to hear speeches at Wellington's Civic Square.

RNZ reporter Jake McKee updates Māni Dunlop on the protests. Read more Audio

12:17 PM.Police officers failed in their duty of care to a man who died in their custody at the Hawera Police Station in 2019.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found Allen Ball's death in the cells… Read more Audio

12:13 PM.Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been wreaking havoc - forcing homes to be evacuated, closing roads, causing slips and flash flooding. 

William Morrison's farm, Mangara Station near Marton, had… Read more Audio

12:10 PM.Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been wreaking havoc - forcing homes to be evacuated, closing roads, causing slips and flash flooding.

A cleanup is underway in Christchurch after the city had more… Read more Audio

12:00 PM.Communities cut off by floodwaters. Protesters march to parliament. Audio