Midday Report for Friday 21 February 2025

1:45 PM.In today's episode, the Defence Minister says New Zealand must contribute more to global defence alliances and can no longer lean as heavily on the US, teacher shortages are so dire that principals… Read more Audio

12:46 PM.On Monday, the finest kapa haka groups from around Aotearoa will converge on New Plymouth for Te Matatini - the largest haka tournament in the world. Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross spoke to… Read more Audio

12:42 PM.Electric Avenue, the two-day festival is expected to see 70,000 people come through the gates, with dozens of artists including Shapeshifter, The Prodigy, and Khruangbin performing. Organiser Callam… Read more Audio

12:36 PM.Excitement in the hemp sector today. Audio

12:28 PM.World IBF heavyweight champion Briton Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from his title defence against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia this weekend after falling ill. Audio

12:20 PM.Telecommunications company Spark isn't doing so well. Audio

12:15 PM.Teacher shortages are so dire that principals are being pulled in to cover classes, as the Ministry of Education admits it made an error when estimating demand. Otautau School principal and president… Read more Audio

12:12 PM.The Defence Minister says New Zealand must contribute more to global defence alliances, and can no longer lean as heavily on the US. Reporter Phil Pennington spoke to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira. Audio