Infrastructure
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 19 March 2026
The latest GDP figures are out ,our economics correspondent gives us his analysis; Commerce Commission puts fuel companies on notice; It now costs twice as much to dive to work than it does to catch… Audio
The New Zealander helping deal to Aiutaki's rubbish problem
Aiutaki in the Cook Islands is home to about two thousand people, with around 40 thousand tourists visiting annually. It is also home to a lot of rubbish, which, according to our next guest, wasn't… Audio
Petrol Pain? How to get the most out of a tank of gas
We're going to start today's show talking about petrol .. because as our next guest told Morning Report, all bets are off over NZ petrol prices after Iran's gas fields were struck overnight. So how… Audio
Buller mayor devastated at potential loss of air connection
The mayor said air travel could be the only way to evacuate if roads were cut off after a major earthquake or flooding. Audio
The region facing a potential 18% water rates hike
For an average urban household, using drinking water and wastewater services, the cost could increase by $280.
Do we really need a data centre in Southland?
A $3 billion data centre in Southland is being touted a game changer - delivering the most significant upgrade to New Zealand's digital infrastructure in a generation. Datagrid has received resource… Audio
Shadows cast on one of Auckland's biggest developments
The Sunfield community, given the go-ahead under fast-track rules, is raising the ire of local politicians. Audio
The Panel with Tim Batt and Jenni Giblin, Part 2
In part two, nothing gets people more angry than rubbish. In Rotorua, a change from weekly to fortnightly collection has prompted a petition with 4,000 signatures and counting. Councillor Robert Lee… Audio
A new business could be our second-largest power user
The country's two biggest users of electricity could both soon be located in Southland.
'Lots of unknowns' over plan to pump partially-treated sewage into sea
Christchurch community leaders are uneasy about the proposal for pumping out sewage from the fire-damaged Bromley wastewater plant in an effort to lessen the stench. Audio
Southland - New Zealand's power centre
The country's two biggest users of electricity could both soon be located in Southland if resource consents for a new data centre bring the project to life Audio
Anger over hydro scheme's fast-track approval
A plan to fast-track a controversial West Coast hydro scheme has been given an initial go-ahead.
Gisborne councillors back waste hub site despite mana whenua opposition
Gisborne is a step closer to taking control of regional waste, but some district councillors expressed "discomfort" over the process.
Crash involving student ignites bridge safety concerns
A recent incident involving an Ashburton student being hit by a car has raised concerns about traffic once the town's second bridge opens.
NZ will release six days of fuel amid global concerns over supply
Energy Minister Shane Jones says New Zealand is obliged to contribute to the IEA's release. Audio
Think Big
As our government tries to fix NZ's energy crisis, and tensions in the Middle East rattle global energy markets, we look back at the oil shocks of the 1970s and how they reshaped New Zealand’s energy… Video, Audio
Just how fast could NZ run out of fuel?
With the war in Iran disrupting global supplies and prices, is there a plan if it all dries up? Audio
NZTA picks cheaper but less effective option to fix highway
A newly released business case shows the recommended option would cut closures by 53 percent while a full fix would cut them by 70 percent.
The House: MPs agree infrastructure debate should be politics free
Analysis - All parties agreed that politics is detrimental to infrastructure decision-making and things need to change, yet can't help getting political about it.
Riverlink project affecting Hutt River water quality
Monitors in the water upstream and downstream from the epicentre at Melling Bridge have shown some changes in quality.
