Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 29 January 2026

Winston Peters has intensified his attack on his own government's Free Trade Agreement with India claiming up to 20,000 Indians will be able to come into the country and the agreement will result in New Zealanders losing their jobs. We get reaction from Trade Minister Todd McClay; Rescue efforts paused again at the Mount Maunganui slip, we hear from an engineering geologist; One of the world top thinkers and writers Steven Pinker is visiting New Zealand. Guyon talks to him about his new book which explores the idea of "common knowledge" - and how that drives social and political behavior in the age of Trump .