Midday Edition: 31 October 2025

The Midday Edition of News Fix for 31 October 2025, 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 (00:04):
Good afternoon. I'm Malcolm Jordan and this is your midday
news fix for Friday, the thirty first of October. King
Charles has begun the process of stripping younger brother Andrew
of all titles. He's been ordered to leave his residence
of Royal Lodge and Windsor Great Park and will now
be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It follows sexual assault

(00:24):
allegations resurfacing with the posthumous publication of accuser Virginia Dufrey's
memoir CNN. Royal historian Kate Williams says royals have lost
their titles in the past, but the reason in this
case is unprecedented. Andrew is, of course legitimate, is not
fighting in an enemy army. However, he has been deprived
of his titles for bringing the Royal brand the Royal

(00:46):
family into disrepute. The White Tiny Tribunals ruled New Zealand's
citizenship laws breached the principles of the Treaty and is
calling for urgent changes. Political reporter Ethan Griffiths has more.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
The tribunal looked into a claim from Australia Alien born
KIWI John Ruddick, who was granted citizenship through his Mardy mother,
but as citizenship by descent only covers one generation, when
Ruddick had kids of his own, they weren't eligible for
automatic citizenship. The tribunal found the Citizenship Act breaches the
principle of partnership and locks Mardy out of their own land.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
The tribunals called for the law to be amended and
introduce a takunger Maldi pathway to citizenship. Questions for fon
terror over how it will spend the proceeds of selling
off brands like Mainland and Anchor. Farmer shareholders have overwhelmingly
backed the four point two billion dollar deal with French
dairy giant Lucktali's. They're expected to get back about three

(01:42):
point two billion at about two dollars a share, but
Waikato farmer Emma Paul, who voted against the deal, says
she hasn't been able to get a clear answer on
what's happening to the rest of us.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
I'd like to hear them get this story straight and
find out where that money is going and hopefully it's
to something sensible that will take us forward into the future.

Speaker 1 (02:00):
Meanwhile, Fonterra says it's doing the best it can to
support farmers still suffering from last week's bad weather. Southland
and Kluther remain under a state of emergency more than
a week on from the wild winds and rain that
slam the lower half of the country. Southland's state of
emergency will remain in place until next Friday. Fonterra Ceo
Miles Hurral says even one farm without power is a disaster.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
The way that the industries come together with be the
irrigation companies and the third companies and farm source.

Speaker 1 (02:29):
All people come together to try and support these farms.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
At this we can, but rough time no question.

Speaker 1 (02:33):
A National Immunization Week starts on Monday to help bring
New Zealand's measles cases under control. There are currently thirteen
infections with more than two thousand close contacts. Auckland Grammar
School will be closed to Year nine and ten students
today because a person with measles visited the school on Friday.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says there's a lot of vaccination opportunities.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Purpose of running that immunization Week will to focus on
all of those opportunities and to raise awareness with the public.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
To sport. Liam Lawson's hopes of a twenty twenty six
Formula One seat could be boosted. His Red Bull rival
at Yuki Sonoda has been linked to the IndyCar Series.
India's five wicket World Cup semi final victory chasing three
hundred and thirty nine against Australia at Mumbai with nine
balls to spare has marked the highest chase in women's

(03:26):
One Day International cricket. They'll play South Africa and Sunday's decider.
Wild Athletics have uncovered the systematic theft of three million
dollars from the organization by two employees and a contracted consultant.
I'm Malcolm Jordan. That's your latest news fix. We'll be
back with the next update at five pm from the
Newstalk ZB newsroom