Midday Edition: 09 July 2026

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 09 July 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good afternoon. I'm kay Gregory and this is your midday
news fix for Thursday, the ninth of July. Transport Minister
Chris Meshi has announced a re phasing of the Major
Transport Projects pipeline. The new system's three phases, giving top
priority to first phase projects. Those in Phase two will
be preparing for construction, and things will continue more slowly

(00:24):
for the third Five Roads of National Significance projects are
now on the slow track, including the Northern Corridor to
Hana Tofuga Day and Auckland's East West Link. It's unclear
when their construction will begin. Bishop says. In the past
six years, fuel excise has fallen in real terms and
construction costs have risen significantly.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
We've always envisaged the Roads of National Significance program as
a pipeline that needs to be delivered over many, many years.

Speaker 1 (00:52):
Oil prices are ticking up after the US launch news
strikes on Iran, with Donald Trump declaring the ceasefire is over.
The US says the attacks are at the President's discretion
as retaliation for Iranian attacks on shipping see an anti
Iran correspondent Frederick Pliitgin says Iran's also responded to Trump's
earlier threat of invading oil export hub Kag Island. Iranian

(01:17):
politicians have been coming out and saying, look, the US
can try and do that, but it's going to be
bloody for the United States, as the Iranians are ready
for that. The scale of transport poverties being exacerbated by
the ongoing fuel crisis. A new Public Health Communications Center
briefing finds people are having to choose between skipping travel
or absorbing higher costs at the expense of other essentials.

(01:39):
It notes the average household's weekly transport costs have jumped
about sixty five dollars to three hundred and seventeen since
war broke up between the US and Iran. Lead author
Otago University Associate Professor Andrea Angela Kerl says it impacts
what people can do.

Speaker 2 (01:57):
I not been able to take up work opportunities, to
miss healthcare appointments, not taking children to school to train
save on fuel cuff.

Speaker 1 (02:05):
Kai Colra's main route south could be closed for several
more days as flooding, debris and rock fall is cleared.
State Highway one's back open north of the township, but
it's still closed to why Pudder and the inland Chai
Colder Road also can't be used Rosie Leishman rapport.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
A heavy rain watch remains for Cai Colder and Marlborough
until six pm. Ki Colder received nearly three months worth
of rain in less than three days. The middle of
the North Island is now bearing the brunt, with a
strong wind warning for Tardanuki and Wellington until three pm.
A heavy rain warning covers the Hawk's Bay Ranges north
of Napier until tomorrow.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
A mix up for New Zealand's gear heading to the
World Plowing Champs in Croatia. The team's tractors, plows, tools,
parts and uniforms went to the wrong porting up in Tasmania.
They've had to arrange to borrow or cook them from overseas,
but that machinery doesn't have the keyweek custom modifications. In Sport,
New South Wales coach Laurie Daly has clapped back at

(03:04):
criticism after steering his state to a series deciding thirty
twelve origin victory over Queensland in Brisbane. All Blacks coach
Dave Rennie has confirmed captain Rdi Savia will feature in
the All Blacks team to meet Italy on Saturday, despite
speculation he may be rested after a high workload and
the remarkable run of tournament. Wildcard Arthur Ferry has continued

(03:27):
at Wimbledon, beating Flavio Caboli in straight sets in the
quarter finals. I'm Kay Gregory and that's your latest news fix.
We'll be back with the next update at five pm
from the news Talk zb newsroom.