Morning Report
24,497 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★ - 11 ratingsRNZ National’s flagship news programme known for breaking news stories, incisive interviews with politicians across the political spectrum and newsmakers and commentators from Aotearoa and around the world. There's a lot to talk about in the mornings and Morning Report is covering the stories that matter to the people of Aotearoa.
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Episodes
Number of children prescribed puberty blockers growing
September 28, 2022 19:20 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MBThe number of children prescribed puberty blockers because they don't identify with their assigned gender is more than 10 times higher than it was a decade ago. That's more than ten times the rate in England and Wales, where an independent report found the lack of checks and balances is putting children at risk. Ruth Hill reports.
Christchurch Hospital ED swamped with patients
September 28, 2022 19:20 - 5 minutes - 4.71 MBChristchurch Hospital's emergency department has been swamped with patients this week, while Canterbury's urgent care facilities are also under significant pressure. On Tuesday alone, 368 people turned up at the department. By 4pm yesterday, 101 people were either being treated or waiting to be seen. The high demand means that some surgeries and appointments are being rescheduled, while some of Canterbury's clinics are closing their doors to walk-in patients. The officer in charge of Can...
Broadcasting Minister defends media merge
September 28, 2022 18:50 - 2 minutes - 2.38 MBThe Broadcasting Minister is defending the plan to merge TVNZ and RNZ into a single mega entity saying it's needed because the public doesn't trust the media. The National Party has been on the attack in Parliament over the proposal. Political reporter Katie Scotcher has more.
Auckand events group low on funding
September 28, 2022 18:45 - 3 minutes - 3.22 MBCovid-19 restrictions have eased, the border's open to tourists, it's the summer Auckland's been waiting for - but there's a big hole in the promotions budget. Economic development agency Tataki Auckland Unlimited is short close to $20 million and is asking local businesses to contribute to a marketing fund. The agency plans to raise at least half a million dollars, but that's a drop in the ocean compared to the hundreds of millions being spent across the Tasman. Amy Williams has the sto...
Voter turnout low as local body elections come to close
September 28, 2022 18:40 - 6 minutes - 6.24 MBWith just over a week until voting in the local body elections close, voting is tracking well behind previous years. However, at electionz.com, which handles elections for 46 of New Zealand's councils, phones have been ringing off the hook -- indicating a strong interest among potential voters. Electionz.com chief returning officer Warwick Lampp spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Nelson residents still not allowed home after August floods
September 28, 2022 18:37 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MBMany residents in Nelson still haven't been able to return home after last month's floods as officials continue to assess damage to the city and region. Emergency management minister Kieran McAnulty is in Nelson today and will be briefed on the flood recovery. His presence coincides with heavy rain which hit the upper South Island overnight, with the MetService having warned of the risk of rivers in the region rising rapidly. Nelson mayor Rachel Reese spoke to Corin Dann.
Questions over sudden leak from major Russian pipelines
September 28, 2022 18:26 - 4 minutes - 3.74 MBThe European Union is rushing to bolster security at energy installations after the apparent act of sabotage on two major Russian pipelines. The head of the Commission has joined other world leaders in calling the leak an act of sabotage - but it has stopped short of directly accusing Russia. Pictures released by the Danish military show gas bubbling to the surface of the sea, stretching one kilometre across the Baltic Sea. Denmark says it could take up to a fortnight before the area i...
Nurses set to refuse extra shifts
September 28, 2022 18:22 - 4 minutes - 3.81 MBNurses around the country are set to refuse all extra shifts next week and the new health authority's warning them it's likely an illegal strike. A special winter bonus of $100 a shift ends on Friday. But their union, the Nurses Organisation, say there is still massive workload and it's not fair to go back to normal. Health correspondent Rowan Quinn spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Hurricane Ian barrels through Florida
September 28, 2022 18:18 - 4 minutes - 4.4 MBThere's no time left to run - Hurricane Ian is here. That's the warning from Florida authorities as the Category 4 storm sweeps ashore. Winds up to 250 kilometres per hour are now lashing the Florida coast. The entire state faces flash flooding and record storms surges more than 5-metres high. Millions were under mandatory evacuation orders - but the state's governor Ron DeSantis says that window has now closed. Kirby Wilson from the Tampa Bay Times spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Global currencies continue to plummet against USD
September 28, 2022 18:06 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBThe British pound tumbled again overnight despite intervention by the Bank of England to restore "orderly market conditions". The central bank intervention came after a rare rebuke from the International Monetary Fund which warned that the UK government's plans for tax cuts are risky, and they could accelerate inflation, and increase inequality. Mohamed El-Erian is president of Queens' College Cambridge University and a former deputy director of the IMF. His report grade on the UK centra...
Business News for 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:53 - 3 minutes - 3.15 MBBussiness news for 29 September 2022
Early Sports News for 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:38 - 2 minutes - 2.44 MBA brief update from the RNZ sports team.
Morning Rural News for 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:26 - 3 minutes - 3.48 MBNews from the rural and farming sector.
Fonterra to start using organic polymer battery
September 28, 2022 17:20 - 4 minutes - 3.96 MBAn organic polymer battery is set to become part of New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra's operation - the world's first commercial use of such a battery. Fonterra has partnered with PolyJoule, an offshoot of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to implement the tech at its Waitoa UHT plant, and hopes that it will provide a backup in case of power glitches which can be costly and ruin milk product. Fonterra's chief operating officer Fraser Whineray spoke to Corin Dann.
Early Business News for 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:20 - 1 minute - 1.47 MBA brief update from the business sector.
Chloe Swarbrick's alcohol bill needs support for first reading
September 28, 2022 17:16 - 3 minutes - 2.86 MBGreen MP Chloe Swarbrick will need most of Labour's MPs to swing behind her alcohol harm reduction bill, if it is to pass its first hurdle in Parliament. The member's bill would ban alcohol sponsorship in sports and give local councils the power to control liquor sales, trading hours and locations. It will be put to a conscience vote but with National and ACT block-voting against it, its success will be up to Labour's caucus. Political reporter Anneke Smith filed this report.
Bank of England intervention fails to stop pound's tumble
September 28, 2022 17:09 - 6 minutes - 5.57 MBThe British pound has tumbled again despite intervention by the Bank of England to restore "orderly market conditions". It announced an emergency move to buy government bonds, after the government's tax-cutting plans set the markets on a frenzy. It calmed nerves among gilt traders but failed to stabilise the Sterling, which at one point fell against the US-dollar to around $1.50, but has since recovered slightly. Mohamed El-Erian is president of Queens' College Cambridge University and a...
Sports News for 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:06 - 55 seconds - 862 KBThe White Ferns caption says there are still free places in the T20 World Cup squad.
Top Stories for Thursday 29 September 2022
September 28, 2022 17:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBTop stories this morning.. In an extraordinary move, the IMF has openly criticised Britain's tax cuts -- causing the Pound to fall and sparking Bank of England intervention. In Florida Category 4 Hurricane Ian is starting to make landfall. Back home, nurses are planning industrial action next week - The new health authority says it would be an illegal strike. The EU is rushing to bolster its security after the apparent sabotage of two major gas pipelines And the World Rally Championship ...
Divers find WWII bombs in Tuvalu lagoon
September 27, 2022 19:50 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBDivers have found a swathe of World War II-era bombs in a lagoon in Tuvalu as part of Operation Render Safe, involving the navies of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, alongside the US Marine Corps. The explosives are thought to have been dumped by the US military at the end of the war. Now, the question is how best to dispose of them. HMNZS Manawanui commanding officer John McQueen spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Emergency housing a big issue for Rotorua council elections
September 27, 2022 19:46 - 5 minutes - 4.65 MBLocal body elections are in fully swing with hot-button issues differing from electorate to electorate. In Rotorua, emergency housing is top of the list. Local Democracy reporter Felix Desmarais spoke to Corin Dann.
Man frustrated after tumour visible in scan months before diagnosis
September 27, 2022 19:41 - 4 minutes - 3.76 MBHealth authorities have been told poor reporting of radiology scans in the lower half of the North Island is endangering people's lives. Auckland man Colm Brennan isn't surprised. He lost a leg due to complications from surgery to remove a tumour on his hip - a tumour that was visible in a scan taken months before his eventual diagnosis. Brennan spoke to Guyon Espiner.
British pound beginning to stabilise
September 27, 2022 19:36 - 4 minutes - 4.44 MBThe British pound has begun to stabilise, after crashing to a record low against the US-dollar over the past 24 hours. Against a backdrop that includes the Ukraine war and soaring energy prices, there have been sharp fluctuations from some of the world's major currencies. The New Zealand dollar has also plunged to a 13-year low against the Greenback, prompting questions around whether the Kiwi could go even lower and when any rebound might happen. Harbour Asset Management currency strate...
Market Update for 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 19:29 - 1 minute - 1.62 MBBusiness update for 28 September 2022
Analysis: Latest poll still has National Party in front
September 27, 2022 19:15 - 8 minutes - 8 MBThe National Party remains the most preferred party in the latest One News Kantar public poll but Labour has taken a nibble out of their advantage. The poll figures show National remains unchanged on 37 percent support while Labour is up one, to 34 percent. There's also little change among the support parties, with ACT and the Greens both at 9 percent. Under the TVNZ-commissioned poll figures, National and ACT could form a government, sharing 61 of the 120 seats in the house. For analysi...
Health Minister on Pharmac funding new medicines
September 27, 2022 19:11 - 4 minutes - 4.21 MBTwo new medicines are set to be funded by Pharmac, potentially affecting tens of thousands of patients. A proposal released this morning would fund Spinraza, a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, that currently costs up to 390-thousand dollars a year. The second proposal would fund adrenaline auto-injector pens, such as EpiPens, for those with life-threatening allergies. Health Minister Andrew Little spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Sports News for 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 19:06 - 2 minutes - 2.15 MBFrench rugby referee Mathieu Raynal is standing by the controversial time-wasting call he made in the dying stages of the first Bledisloe Cup test earlier this month.
Costco opens in west Auckland
September 27, 2022 18:57 - 2 minutes - 1.84 MBKeen shoppers are getting a first look at an American megastore which has opened within the past half hour. Hundreds of people have flocked to Costco, and some even camped outside overnight. Reporter Mohammad Alafeshat spoke to Corin Dann.
Golriz Ghahraman on Iran protests
September 27, 2022 18:53 - 3 minutes - 3.06 MBProtests continue across Iran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in detention after being arrested by police enforcing the Islamic Republic's strict restrictions on women's dress. More than 40 people have died and over 1000 protesters have been arrested in the ensuing wave of demonstrations. Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, who was born in Iran, is urging the Government to do more to hold the Iranian regime to account. She spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Christopher Luxon on latest poll results
September 27, 2022 18:47 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MBThe National Party remains the most preferred party in the latest One News Kantar public poll but Labour has taken a small bite into their advantage. The poll figures show National remains unchanged on 37 percent support while Labour is up one, to 34 percent. Under the TVNZ-commissioned poll figures, National and ACT could form a government, sharing 61 of the 120 seats in the house. While Jacinda Ardern remains steady on 30 percent as the preferred prime minister, National Party leader C...
Napier residents unhappy at news of plan for social housing development
September 27, 2022 18:44 - 3 minutes - 3.01 MBSome Napier residents are angry and upset that they were kept in the dark for so long about a proposed social housing development. The city council's been working with Kāinga Ora for nearly two years on the plan that's near a high-end subdivision called Parklands. But residents only just found out - and they are fuming. Hawke's Bay reporter Tom Kitchin has more.
Government raises RSE quota by 3000
September 27, 2022 18:37 - 3 minutes - 3.28 MBWorker advocates warn that employers must not be allowed to exploit the next wave of seasonal workers from the Pacific. The government has raised the quota for the recognised seasonal employer scheme by 3000 this summer, the biggest increase in over a decade. It has also ordered that employers must provide their workers with sick leave. Niva Chittock reports.
Export NZ on NZ dollar's sliding
September 27, 2022 18:34 - 3 minutes - 3.14 MBThe NZ dollar has fallen 2 percent in the past week and is down 17 percent for the year, as it's been caught in the cross fire of high inflation, rising interest rates and global economic uncertainty. While it's not great news for most New Zealanders goods and services from overseas are likely to cost more for some it presents an opportunity. ExportNZ executive director Catherine Beard spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Discredited referendums in occupied Ukranian regions close
September 27, 2022 18:27 - 3 minutes - 2.8 MBPreliminary results from the so-called referendums in four occupied Ukrainian regions are coming in. To no one's surprise, the initial count reportedly shows more than 97 percent of the ballots in favour of joining the Russian Federation. Ukraine and the West have denounced the ballots as a sham, and say they won't recognise the results. It's widely anticipated Russia will announce the annexation of those occupied areas in the coming days. The BBC's James Waterhouse spoke to Corin Dann f...
Police can't say how many hate crimes targeted specific groups
September 27, 2022 18:17 - 3 minutes - 3.3 MBPolice still have no reliable way of recording who is being targeted by hate crimes despite funding a dedicated team and hundreds of audits in the last year. Inquiries by RNZ have found police are unable to say how many hate crimes targeted specific groups such as Maori or the rainbow community, nor what the specific hate crime was. The Race Relations Commissioner wants progress sped up saying other countries can collect this data. Ashleigh McCaull reports.
Pharmac considering funding adrenaline injectors, SMA medication
September 27, 2022 18:09 - 7 minutes - 6.85 MBMedicines for anaphylaxis and a rare spinal disease are set to be publicly funded. Pharmac is looking at funding adrenaline auto-injectors - commonly known as EpiPens - for people who are at risk of anaphylaxis - something that's been called for since 1997. Up to 17,000 people would benefit from the injectors. The drug-buying agency is also considering funding Nusinersen, which would be the first medicine publicly funded for people who suffer from spinal muscular atrophy. Director of ope...
Police made false theft report while tracking lockdown breakers
September 27, 2022 18:09 - 5 minutes - 5.03 MBJust one month after the Privacy Commissioner warned police to do better when it comes to number-plate cameras and privacy, a detective pretended a car was stolen so they could track it. OIA documents show the police made the false report while hunting three women who travelled to Northland last October, sparking a Covid-19 lockdown. A month earlier, the commissioner had told a police deputy chief executive who was keen to expand use of the cameras, they had a lot to do to improve privac...
Business News for 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 17:54 - 4 minutes - 4.09 MBBussiness news for 28 September 2022
Queenstown recruitment event boasts 600 jobs, 100 prospective employees
September 27, 2022 17:50 - 3 minutes - 2.8 MBThere were more than 600 jobs on offer in Queenstown at a recruitment event last night - but only 100 prospective employees to fill the vacancies. The resort is gearing up for a busy summer and the event was designed to encourage winter workers to stick around after their seasonal contracts expire. Tess Brunton was there, and talked to some of them.
National protests in Iran after 22-year-old's death
September 27, 2022 17:45 - 4 minutes - 4.23 MBIran is in the throes of national protests after the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman in police custody. Mahsa Amini was detained by the Iranian morality police for refusing to adhere to hijab rules. A student living in New Zealand who was involved in past protests in Iran says the demonstrations and government crackdowns are eerily familiar. Nima Haghdoust spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Review uncovers shortcomings for disabled learners
September 27, 2022 17:42 - 2 minutes - 2.66 MBA review has uncovered serious shortcomings in New Zealand's education outcomes for disabled learners. The Education Review Office, or ERO, found that many schools and early learning centres actively excluded disabled students, while educators often lacked the confidence to teach those with disabilities. ERO head of education evaluation Ruth Shinoda spoke to Corin Dann.
Early Sports News for 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 17:39 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MBA brief update from the RNZ sports team.
Morning Rural News for 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 17:29 - 3 minutes - 3.37 MBNews from the rural and farming sector.
Early Business News for 28 Septermber 2022
September 27, 2022 17:27 - 1 minute - 1.55 MBA brief update from the business sector.
Jupiter closest it has been to earth in 59 years
September 27, 2022 17:24 - 2 minutes - 1.96 MBBetween meteorites, asteroid showers, the aurora australia and satellites, there's no shortage of bright spots in Aotearoa's night sky. But this morning there was an extra brilliant sparkle - Jupiter. The gas giant is the closest it has been to earth in 59 years - a measly 591 million km away. Otago museum director and astronomer Dr Ian Griffin spoke to Corin Dann.
Trial of US far-right group 'Oath Keepers' set to get underway
September 27, 2022 17:16 - 4 minutes - 4.56 MBOne of the most high-profile trials from the US Capitol riots is about to get underway. Members of the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group, will be tried after jury selection on charges of seditious conspiracy, a rare offence from the Civil War era. Authorities allege the group formed a weeks-long plot to violently stop the transfer of presidential power from election-denier Donald Trump to Joe Biden in 2020. Washington correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Guyon Espiner.
Top Stories for Wednesday 28 September 2022
September 27, 2022 17:00 - 32 minutes - 30 MBThe Government drug buying agency is set to fund new medicines for anaphylaxis and a rare spinal disease Police admit they still have no reliable way of recording who's being targeted by hate crimes despite dedicated teams and funding The Russian President is expexcted to announce the annexation of occupied regions of Ukraine within days. Top stories for 28 September 2022
Masterton District councillor on sewage problems
September 26, 2022 19:55 - 3 minutes - 3.66 MBPortaloos are a common sight on some Masterton streets, serving as temporary solutions for households afflicted with sewage spills. Whenever there's heavy rain, it overflows across some families' properties, clogging up their plumbing and leaving a massive clean-up job. Some families have had the portaloos in place, on and off, for more than eight years. Masterton District councillor Tim Nelson has been meeting with residents about their frustration over the ongoing problem. He spoke to ...
Taranaki man saves friend after paddleboarding tumble
September 26, 2022 19:50 - 3 minutes - 2.8 MBSimon Martin probably saved his friend's life while they were surfing by a reef off the Waiwhakaiho river in Taranaki in the weekend. On Sunday morning he was enjoying the waves when he saw his friend struggling in the water after tumbling from his stand-up paddle board. Martin spoke to Corin Dann.
National Party on length of stay in emergency housing
September 26, 2022 19:46 - 6 minutes - 6.19 MBThe National Party says it's a moral disgrace people are staying longer and longer in emergency housing, and the taxpayer bill just keeps getting bigger. Information given to MP Chris Bishop shows the average stay blew out from three weeks in 2018 to now more than 20 weeks, with some stays lasting more than two years. More than a billion dollars has now been paid out since 2017. Bishop spoke to Guyon Espiner.