Midday Edition: 23 July 2025

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 23 July 2025, 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 (00:04):
Good afternoon. I'm Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday
news fix for Wednesday, the twenty third of July. The
government's praising its Infrastructure Fast Track program, saying fifty projects
have made applications in the scheme's first six months. Minister
Chris Bishop says he's expecting the first eight projects to
complete the full process this year. Political editor Jason Walls

(00:26):
has more.

Speaker 2 (00:26):
Bishop says the eight projects and now before expert panels
for consideration, with the first panel's final decision expected by
mid September this year. If approved, he says these projects
will contribute billions of dollars to New Zealand's economy and
create thousands of jobs.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
Meanwhile, the annual two day Civil Contractor's Conference kicks off
in toting It today as the sector faces a challenging slowdown.
No word from Nikola Willis on her chat with Fonterra
boss Miles Hurrel. The Finance Minister said she had asked
terror about its profit margins on butter during her regular
catch up at Parliament last night. Fonterra says it was constructive.

(01:07):
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour says butter prices are ultimately
driven by global demand. How do we ensure that New
Zealand has a growing economy or high wage economy so
that when prices spiked like this it doesn't have a
big impact on families. Reviews and a change to the
way corporate boxing matches are organized are being recommended following

(01:29):
the death of a christ churchman in a charity event.
Fifty seven year old father of three, Kane Parsons, died
in hospital in November twenty eighteen, days after he was
knocked out during a match Emily Ansell reports.

Speaker 3 (01:41):
Coroner Heather mckenziees recommending a review into the standing eight
count assessment made by a referee after a knockdown. She's
also recommending contender declaration forms be signed as close to
the event as possible so participants have trained and can
understand what to expect.

Speaker 1 (02:00):
The war in Gaza looks to be coming to a
head as many Western countries issue israel An ultimatum. New
Zealand has joined dozens of states calling for a lasting
ceasefire and condemning the mass killings and withholding of aid
to Palestinians. The statement threatens further action if a pathway
to peace is not actioned. Otiger University politics professor Robert

(02:24):
Patman says Israel cannot claim the worlds on its side.

Speaker 3 (02:27):
Thirty four percent of Israel's trade is with the EU
and many EU countries are signed up to the statement.

Speaker 2 (02:33):
It makes you.

Speaker 3 (02:33):
Realize that this could have considerable implications for Israel's economy.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
Labour says any easing of the foreign buyer ban is
a bad idea. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says
he's expecting a change to the current rules to be
announced before the end of the year. More than sixty
hand reared calves have been stolen from a paddock on
State Highway Too near Mona Watu's Danny Verk and musicians

(02:59):
are posting artfelt tributes marking the death of beloved and
infamous heavy Metler Black Sabbath frontman Ozzie Osborne, aged seventy
six to sport anton Minnett Brown has extended his contract
with New Zealand Rugby the eighty six Test All Black
and mid Chiefs midfielder, whose existing deal ran through to

(03:20):
the end of next year, has added two more years
in committing through to the end of twenty twenty eight.
Defending champions England are into the Women's European Championship football
final after beating Italy two to one in extra time
in Geneva, and Michelle Montague is set to become the
first New Zealand woman to join the UFC, the world's

(03:40):
top mixed martial arts promotion. I'm Malcolm Jordan. That's your
latest news fix. We'll be back with the next update
at five pm from the news Talk zb newsroom.