Morning Edition: 12 August 2026

The Morning Edition of News Fix for 12 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 (00:06):
Good morning. I'm never ready, Manu, and this is your
morning news fix for Wednesday, twelfth of August. And this update,
scars could already be forming among voters, with National revisiting
the matter of Christopher Luxen's leadership. The Prime Minister's meeting
urgently with caucus members this morning, citing the recent speculation
about a potential coup less than three months out from

(00:29):
election day. One MP's told The Herald there's going to
be a change at the top. News doorg z'b Senior
political correspondent Barry Soaper says it only takes a handful
of MPs to throw the cat among the pigeons. It's
really difficult for a party that's seen is disunified to
try and prove to the public that there are cohesive

(00:49):
unit going into the election. More than half a million
New Zealanders collectively owe nine point four billion dollars in
tax An inland revenue report dating to March shows those
numbers have ballooned five point eight billion dollars in June
twenty twenty three. It shows micro and small medium businesses

(01:10):
are responsible for sixty five percent of the debt, with
sixty two percent considered Collectible Chartered Accountants. Australian New Zealand
tax lead John Cuspittson says COVID caused the rise and
there needs to be a plan to get it back.
As debt ages, it becomes hard to collect and we
know that about forty three percent of it is over

(01:30):
two years old. Four more Qui supplement companies have been
pulled into a top level probe sparked by allegations of
illegal and unethical business conduct by enz Muscle. The Commerce
Commissions considering forty one reported concerns made by members of
the public about the supplement brand, but the Commissions now
confirmed this spotlight is widening as it prepares to investigate

(01:54):
complaints about four other local companies. It won't be sharing
the names of these businesses or the exact allegations made
against them, but says the claims are a waiting assessment.
A tragic reminder to be prepared when in the outdoors
after a day walk in the mountains proved fatal for
a fit experienced tramper. In October twenty twenty one, Rebecca

(02:17):
Woolley died of hypothermia after becoming lost on a day
high Canaltha's Pass National Park. The thirty seven year old
wasn't carrying a personal locator beacon, sufficiently charged phone or
enough clothing. Mountain Safety Council Chief Executive Mike Daisley says
when you become lost, it's important to raise the alarm
early and stay put. A new obesity treatment could help

(02:40):
people burn fat faster. Auckland University researchers have received almost
one point two million dollars in Health Research Council funding
over three years to advance the medication. The pills will
steer away from suppressing appetite like other weight loss drugs do,
and will instead block the hormone that controls storage. In sport,

(03:02):
Luke Metcalfe has retained the Warrior's number seven journey jersey
in an unchanged starting side for Saturday's NRL League match
against the Broncos and Brisbane. United States President Donald Trump
has declared a terrible mistake will be made if FIFA
Football President Gianni Infantino is ousted over his abortive proposal
to concede twenty one percent of World Cup commercial rights

(03:25):
to private investors. And a rain soaked outing for the
All Blacks against the Sharks in Durban, MA Norne delivered
a solo hunker against his former team. I'm nevaretty Mano
and that your latest news fix. We'll be back with
the next update at midday from the newstalk ZB news roup.