World
'He wants more everything' - Trump's actions are about legacy, says Obama's former speechwriter
Barack Obama's former speechwriter and host of the podcast Pod Save America Jon Favreau talks to Midday Report's Guyon Espiner. Audio
Israel launches 'large-scale operation' to retrieve body of last hostage
Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about Israel beginning what it calls a "large-scale operation" to retrieve the body of the last remaining hostage in Gaza. Audio
Hundreds on board sunken ferry boat in Philippines
The death toll has reached at least 15, with 316 people rescued and dozens still missing.
Taiwan monitoring 'abnormal' China military leadership changes
![China's Vice Chairman of the Central Military comission Zhang Youxia salutes as he attends the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on October 30, 2023. Beijing says representatives of 90 countries are taking part in this week's Xiangshan Forum, a gathering of military and diplomatic officials billed as its answer to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Pedro PARDO has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [correcting name to Zhang Youxia] instead of [Zhang Youxian]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all...](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--wXIa7-yp--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1769394734/4JU6ZME_AFP__20231030__33ZD24F__v4__HighRes__CorrectionChinaMilitaryDiplomacy_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
China announced on Saturday that Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, and another senior officer were under investigation.
The Pre-Panel for 26 January 2026
Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel. Audio
Feature Interview: What could 2026 hold?
"This is Donald Trump's world and we're all just living in it", so begins the annual issue of The Economist magazine's "The World Ahead in 2026" edition. Every year, we kick off the new year talking… Audio
Brisbane set for hottest Australia Day this century
Brisbane is facing its highest maximum temperature since 1998.
OZ Update with Brad Foster
It's an anniversary day for many in the North Island, but today also marks Australia Day so to find out what's happening in OZ to mark it, we're joined by our man on the ground Brad Foster. Brad… Audio
Why a couple of sheep farmers in Mosgiel won an award in Wales
Right we're off to Mosgiel to talk to retired farmer Geoff Neilson. You see, Geoff and his wife Ailsa are the recipients of a new award from six major Welsh farming organisations. Since the 1970s… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 26 December 2025
Recovery work has resumed at the site of the Mount Maunganui landslide, where six people are missing; Martin Brook, a Professor of Applied Geology at the University of Auckland spoke to Guyon Espiner… Audio
Interview: Former speechwriter for Barack Obama, Jon Faverau
Jon Faverau, the former speechwriter for Barack Obama and host of podcast Pod Save America spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio
Latest news from Australia
The latest from Australia now with Nine News political reporter Amanda Copp. Audio
How is New Zealand handling Trump 2.0?
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is questioning whether New Zealand should continue to contribute to funding for the World Health Organization - as America pulls out of the WHO. So how is New Zealand… Audio
At least 7 dead, 1 million without power in US winter storm
The major weather system has created dangerous conditions from Texas to New England, leading to mass flight cancellations and power outages.
Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney
Unprecedented EU pushbacks force Trump into retreat, Russia cuts heating across Ukraine despite peace talks, Spotlight on state of Spanish railways after string of crashes, and Italy voices anger… Audio
Another killing deepens Trump's self-inflicted political nightmare
The situation now risks truly spiraling out of control - both on the ground and politically speaking.
Winston Peters questions whether NZ should continue to fund WHO
NZ First leader Winston Peters is questioning whether New Zealand should continue to fund the World Health Organisation. Mr Peters spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Latest news from United States with Mitch McCann
Vigils and protests have been held across the US, after a 37-year-old Minneapolis man was fatally shot by federal officers. Mitch McCann spoke to Corin Dann from New York. Audio
Latest news from overseas with Alice Wilkins
Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins. Audio
