Midday Report Essentials for Friday 20 February 2026

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne. How can New Zealand stop him from ever getting near becoming head of state, and has the Prime Minister put any moves into action. We get the latest from Britain and talk to a constitutional expert about the implications for New Zealand; After nearly 30 years, it is the end of the line for the Splore music festival. We dance down memory lane with a local music guru and also ask whether the festival is forced off the stage after failing to gain full access to the Government's major events fund; And it is Friday, so we do Politics with Paddy. Paddy Gower joins me to wrap the week in politics.