Afternoon Edition: 12 April 2026

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 12 April 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
From the news talk Zebby newsroom. This is NEWSFECX. In
this update, Cyclone Vaiano has come ashore in the Bay
of Plenty at Maketu. Severe weather watchers and warnings remain
in place for the whole North Island and northeastern parts
of the South. Gisbon. City's wastewater system is flooded because
of the intense rainfall. Emergency sewervalves have been opened into

(00:23):
the Taru Heroo and Turanganui rivers. Overnight winds cut part
of thousands of homes, largely in Northland and the Bay
of Plenty. Aucklanders can expect high winds in the city
at the moment to ease in the next hour. Several
main highways are closed because of surface water flooding, slips
and fallen trees. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the
cyclones building in Corimandal, Bay of Plenty, Taiafati and Hawk's Bay,

(00:47):
that's where the big focuses and that's we're expecting to
have a more intense weather events in Rice and to
the cyclone. Auckland. Theor Wayne Brown has applauded Aucklanders for
getting themselves prepared, saying it's important to take these events seriously.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
We've got to be sensible and we are living in
a time when these fifty year flood seat story coming
a lot more often than fifty years.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has confirmed the
storm's causing delays to some fuel deliveries. A spokesperson says
it's in response to Harbourmaster's weather and safety warnings, but
fuel companies say there are no major operational impacts. It
says our supplies are stable and stocks are sufficient. Mount
Bonganui lifeguard Kent Jarman says he's worried people are not

(01:29):
taking this seriously. He says the storm is surging through
the area and high tide about twenty to three this
afternoon made it worse. The National Party has called an
immedia expert to help the Prime Minister and his members
of Parliament with communication. Former broadcaster Rachel Smalley's been hired
to help National's Auckland based government MPs, including Chris Luxon,

(01:49):
with their media work. Political commentator Peter Dunn says it's
more than just miss de Luxeon's recent TV appearance problems.

Speaker 2 (01:56):
I just don't think that the National Party generally has
been very good at getting its message across in a
way that connects with Boss. This is an overdue move,
but a sensible one.

Speaker 1 (02:05):
That's news in Sport. To a dramatic finish at UFC
three two seven in Miami, You're excited.

Speaker 2 (02:16):
A guy await.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
New Zealand has a new UFC champion. Carlos Alberg has
beaten Yeardi Prohaska to win the vacant UFC light Heavyweight belt.
Alberg overcame a badly hurt leg in round one to
secure the knockout. A couple of extra stings for the
Melbourne Storm Following last night's NRL loss to the Warriors
at home. Jerome Hughes and Trent Loyerro have been charged

(02:48):
with eighteen hundred dollars and three thousand dollar fines for
respective high shots on Sam Healy and Taine to Opeaky
that Sport. I'm Joe Gilfillan or more news. Listen to
news talks at B on the free iheartapp