Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 26 February 2026

Get out now. That's the stark warning from Foreign Minister Winston Peters to New Zealanders in Iran, as former U.S. President Donald Trump weighs possible military action against the regime in Tehran. We speak directly with the Foreign Minister about the risks, the advice to Kiwis on the ground, and how New Zealand is preparing for a rapidly escalating situation; New child poverty statistics are out, with Stats NZ reporting no overall change in the poverty rate. But advocates warn the picture is far more troubling. The Child Poverty Action Group says the number of children living in material hardship has climbed to a ten-year high, nearly 170,000. We ask the Children's Commissioner whether New Zealand can really afford to be complacent; Banks are pushing back against a proposal from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand that would require them to spend around $100 million expanding ATM and branch access. The New Zealand Bankers' Association joins us to explain why the sector is in revolt, and what it says the plan would mean for customers; And finally, last orders? Beer sales have sunk to record lows as drinking habits change and appetites for alcohol fade. We talk to a leading industry figure about what's behind the decline, and whether the sector can win back thirsty consumers.