Midday Edition: 07 August 2026

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 07 August 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):
Good afternoon. I'm Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday news.
Fixed for Friday, the seventh of August, the Pacific Foreign
ministers are meeting behind closed doors, debating how to respond
to China's shock missile test last month. Newstalks het B
political reporter Ethan Griffiths is in Fiji.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
It's warm but windy at the Pacific Islands Forum headquarters
in Suva this morning, where all eighteen member states are represented.
The day began with a family photo with all ministers,
including our own Winston Peters, done in bright green floral shirts.
Formalities began with a prayer and a plea from Secretary
General Baron Wagger for unity before media were hurried out

(00:41):
of the room.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
The Duke in New Zealand's Northland Mill is permanently closing
its door from today, two weeks earlier than planned. Despite
the shortened timeline, workers will be paid out to the
end of the original date, receiving a wage increase and
back pay in their final check. Most employees have already
taken voluntary redundancy or transferred to the nearby Triboard Mill

(01:03):
in Kaitaire ahead of the closure. Workers First Union organizer
Marcus Coverdale says the flow on effects will be felt
in the Northland community long after the gates shut. Meanwhile,
clothing chain Ballantine's Fashion Central is shutting up shop after
more than fifty years. It's announced its twenty three stores
across the country will close down progressively from next Saturday.

(01:26):
Thirteen will close completely, with ten reopening as Caroline Eve Fashion.
A note on the chain's website thanks customers for shopping
with them over the years and assures that gift cards
will still be honored at Caroline Eve for six months
after Handover concerns that New Zealand isn't building the right
homes in the right places, a new Salvation Army report

(01:48):
shows housing stock grew by about nine percent between twenty
twenty one and twenty six, outpacing population growth. Despite that,
housing poverty, overcrowding and demand for social housing continues. Report
author Alan Johnson says it means that people who need
houses don't get one, while homes just sit empty, and

(02:09):
it's especially bad in regional New Zealand.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
You really need to look at those communities and say
what interventions can happen here that's going to ensure that
the least well housed are doing okay.

Speaker 1 (02:19):
An Auckland police officer has admitted possessing objectionable material after
internal reviews in the wake of the Jeven mcskimming scandal.
Fifty nine year old Matthew Rodgers appeared in the Monaco
District Court this morning where he pleaded guilty to one
representative charge. The government's being accused of interfering with professional's

(02:40):
ability to regulate their sectors. Otiger University public health expert
Peter Crampton's joined with two other academics academics to condemn
changes by the Health Minister to Medical and Nursing Council appointments.
Act's leader is backing his ministers as the Prime Minister
lets slip he's interested in a voter on MMP Chris

(03:01):
Luxon told newstalk 'b yesterday he's opened to another referendum
on the voting system if re elected. Last reaffirmed in
twenty eleven, David Seymour says ACT ministers have done a
very good job and stand proudly on their record to sport.
The UK Anti Doping Agency have determined that Joseph Parker's
nutritionist was the most likely reason that traces of cocaine

(03:24):
were found in a positive anti doping test before about
last October. Former Chiwe's captain Richie Barnett has declared tonight's
round to twenty three NRL match against leaders Penrith as
a must win for the third placed Warriors to maintain
title credibility. I'm Malcolm Jordan. That's your latest news fix.
We'll be back with the next update at five pm

(03:45):
from the newstalk ZB newsroom.