Morning Report
24,497 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 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
Tourist has motorbike stolen in Hawkes Bay
February 20, 2024 18:37 - 2 minutes - 2.41 MBA German tourist whose motorbike was stolen in a tiny Hawkes Bay settlement says he's shocked police decided not to press charges despite finding the vehicle at a nearby house. The tourist who RNZ is not naming was staying in a bach at Nuhaka and says the thief stripped the vehicle and then rode up and down the road where the man and his teenage son were staying. He says local police officers told him the house where the bike was found is linked to the Mongrel Mob. Jemima Huston reports....
Bus 'SOTP' sign becomes attraction in West Auckland
February 20, 2024 18:26 - 3 minutes - 2.79 MBA prominent spelling mistake at a West Auckland bus stop is driving locals round the bend. The bright yellow letters painted on Te Atatu Road spell "bus sotp," S-O-T-P. Felix Walton has more.
Hate-motivated abuse increases
February 20, 2024 18:21 - 3 minutes - 3.38 MBPolice say hate-motivated abuse increased by 12 percent over the past year. Although the problem is on the rise, hate crime and hate speech are still not standalone offences in Aotearoa. And National's coalition agreement with New Zealand First rules out introducing hate speech laws. Reporter Lucy Xia has more.
Auckland Councillor on potential rate rises for city
February 20, 2024 18:18 - 4 minutes - 3.89 MBAucklanders can now have their say on a potential rates hike of up to 14 percent with the Council voting on Tuesday in favour of a 10-year budget document being shared with everyone. A large portion of the rate rise will come from increased Watercare charges following the government's announcement that it will repeal the Three Waters legislation. Auckland councillor Shane Henderson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Labour faces rebuild after Robertson departure
February 20, 2024 18:08 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MBThe Labour Party is losing one of its most experienced and influential politicians as it faces the huge job of rebuilding after its crushing election defeat. Former Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson is quitting to take up the role of Vice-Chancellor at Otago University. It means Labour will now have just nine members of parliament who were in the 20-strong cabinet formed after their 2020 election win. Grant Robertson says one of his proudest moments was the way his party dealt with t...
Business News for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:54 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MBBusiness news for 21 February 2024.
Barbara Edmonds to be Labour's finance spokesperson
February 20, 2024 17:44 - 8 minutes - 8.19 MBLabour's job of rebuilding has been made harder, with the departure of one of its most experienced and recognisable MPs. Former Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will retire from politics next month. The Mana MP Barbara Edmonds will become Labour's first female finance spokesperson. Edmonds spoke to Corin Dann.
Early Sports Chat for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:38 - 4 minutes - 4.19 MBAn update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Morning Rural News for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:29 - 3 minutes - 3.27 MBNews from the rural farming sector.
Early Business News for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:27 - 1 minute - 1.3 MBLatest news from Radio New Zealand's business team.
New rail tracks too narrow for carriages in Wairarapa
February 20, 2024 17:17 - 4 minutes - 4.15 MBThe bad vibrations continue on the Wairarapa region's rail line, where brand new tracks signed off by KiwiRail were found to be too narrow for the carriages that use them. Train speeds have been reduced considerably over a 16-kilometre section of the track laid just two months ago but trains still vibrate disconcertingly through parts of it. And a fix will be slow in coming after Greater Wellington Regional Council said work to grind the tracks back can't be done until a fire ban in the ...
LockBit ransomware network exposed
February 20, 2024 17:12 - 4 minutes - 4.39 MB"We have hacked the hackers." That's what the head of the UK's National Crime Agency said as he revealed the world's most prolific ransomware gang has now been infiltrated by law enforcement. LockBit, believed to be based in Russia, allowed criminals to hack into computers belonging to companies and organisations and lock users out until a ransom is paid. They often also steal data and threaten to release it. LockBit was behind a 2022 cyber-attack which saw data from Health New Zealand, ...
Sports News for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:05 - 1 minute - 1.1 MBThe Black Caps know they face a massive challenge to beat Australia in the three-match T20 series starting tonight in Wellington.
Sports News for 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:05 - 1 minute - 1.1 MBThe Black Caps know they face a massive challenge to beat Australia in the three-match T20 series starting tonight in Wellington.
Top Stories for Wednesday 21 February 2024
February 20, 2024 17:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBTop stories for Wednesday 21 February 2024: The Labour Party' s rebuild after its election defeat has just got that much harder with the retirement of long-serving MP Grant Robertson. Auckland Council unveils its budget options which include a possible 14-percent rates rise. Hate crimes have increased by 12 percent over the past year, most of which were racially motivated. A German tourist is left miffed when their motorbike was stolen, but police wouldn't charge the person who took it. ...
Long Drive Golf builds a following in NZ
February 19, 2024 19:56 - 5 minutes - 5.01 MBWe've heard about golf, speed golf, disc golf and mini golf, so this story is the logical next step. Long Drive Golf involves athletes swinging a golf club like an axe, trying to bash the ball as far as possible inside a 50 yard grid. It's a sport with a large following in the States, and it's starting to catch on in New Zealand. First Up's Leonard Powell went to visit a couple of up-and-coming hitters for a peek behind the curtain.
Deadly bird flu threatens NZ wildlife
February 19, 2024 19:49 - 3 minutes - 3.61 MBA deadly bird flu is winging its way closer to Aotearoa and it could be disastrous for native wildlife. The H5N1 strain has been spreading rapidly around the world since late 2021. Recent confirmed cases in birds and seals show it has spread to sub-Antarctic islands on the other side of the world, still far away but approaching New Zealand's neighbourhood in wildlife terms. And as Ashleigh McCaull reports, one expert believes it's not a matter of 'if' it gets to New Zealand, but 'when'.
More than 60 dead in Papua New Guinea massacre
February 19, 2024 19:42 - 4 minutes - 4.05 MBAuthorities in Papua New Guinea are urging residents to stay calm, after more than 60 people were shot dead in a massacre. Police say they were killed when one tribe, on its way to attack another tribe, was ambushed. The killings mark a major escalation of tribal fighting. RNZ Pacific journalist Lydia Lewis has been speaking with people on the ground.
Sports Chat for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 19:40 - 3 minutes - 3.53 MBAn update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Market Update for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 19:32 - 1 minute - 969 KBMarket Update for 20 February 2024
Wellington Phoenix soar at the top of the men's A League
February 19, 2024 19:29 - 5 minutes - 4.69 MBRated by many pundits as wooden spoon prospects at the start of the season, the Phoenix are soaring, and on track for their finest season, although there's still two months until the playoffs. Club great Paul Ifill spoke to Corin Dann.
Neglected buildings causing concern for police
February 19, 2024 19:23 - 3 minutes - 3.46 MBThe Police Association says black mould and leaky ceilings in stations throughout the country are making it difficult for officers to do their jobs. It says many buildings are a health and safety hazard after so many years of neglect. These include stations in Greymouth, Nelson and Blenheim. The association's president Chris Cahill spoke to Corin Dann.
International Court of Justice hearings begin on Israel's occupation
February 19, 2024 19:19 - 4 minutes - 4.28 MBWhile Israel is pursuing its war against Hamas in Gaza, the International Court of Justice in the Hague has begun hearings on whether Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since the Six Day War in 1967 is legal. More than 50 states will present arguments before the 15 judges throughout the week, following a 2022 request from the U.N. General Assembly for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion. Israel is not attending the hearings, but last June, it warned the Court that an advisor...
Former welfare minister defends rise in beneficiaries at National toughens rules
February 19, 2024 19:12 - 4 minutes - 4.31 MBNot only is the government apparently determined to crack down on those who break the welfare rules, it also wants people to know that the problem it's addressing is of the former Labour government's making. It argues that more than 60,000 welfare sanctions were applied to beneficiaries in National's last year in office, but six years later, under Labour, that number had nosedived to 25,000. That was despite the number of people on benefits increasing during the same period. The previous...
Sports News for 12 February 2024
February 19, 2024 19:06 - 2 minutes - 2.24 MBThe Crusaders have suffered a blow just days out from the start of the Super Rugby season with All Blacks winger Will Jordan ruled out of the entire competition with injury.
Sports News for 12 February 2024
February 19, 2024 19:06 - 2 minutes - 2.24 MBThe Crusaders have suffered a blow just days out from the start of the Super Rugby season with All Blacks winger Will Jordan ruled out of the entire competition with injury.
Government makes 'no apology' for benefit sanctions
February 19, 2024 18:53 - 6 minutes - 5.89 MBThe Government is taking what it says is early action to curb what it sees as an unacceptable surge in welfare dependency that occurred under Labour. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the government will be setting out its expectations around people looking for jobs and the use of benefit sanctions. Announcing the reconstituted policy, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he made "no apology" for cracking down on those who don't play by the rules. Christopher...
12 percent of nursing workforce registers to work in Australia
February 19, 2024 18:48 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBMore than 9000 Kiwi nurses, about 12 percent of the workforce, have registered to work in Australia in the last ten months. Nurses have to sign up with Australia's registration body before applying for jobs. Meanwhile thousands of local nurses are feeling threatened after having their details shared online following last year's Te Whatu Ora data leak. Nurses Organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says more work needs to be done to keep nurses feeling safe and valued in New Zealand. She sp...
Experts concerned about children using adult skincare
February 19, 2024 18:46 - 2 minutes - 2.65 MBDermatologists are alarmed an offshore trend of very young children using adult skincare products appears to be happening here too. They blame social media for introducing children to the products which they warn contain chemicals that can be too harsh and cause irreversible damage to young skin. Pretoria Gordon has been looking at what's online.
Ambulance availability cut back due to a budget blowout
February 19, 2024 18:40 - 5 minutes - 5.01 MBA $5.5 million defecit in Hato Hone St John's finances has forced the ambulance service to cut back on its staff cover. The charity does not expect its cuts to ambulance callouts will impact the quality of patient care, but lower priority patients may have to wait longer for an ambulance. The Ambulance Association's national secretary Mark Quinn told RNZ that the ambulance service's cost-cutting measures could hold potentially fatal outcomes for patients. But Hato Hone St John's deputy c...
Residents on edge as Canterbury fires continue burning
February 19, 2024 18:37 - 3 minutes - 2.77 MBThe fire is contained in Waikari Valley, but while residents of the nearby North Canterbury town of Waipara are back home, they remain on high alert. The 300-hectare scrub fire broke out on Sunday night, forcing the evacuation of nearby rural properties. And given the parched conditions throughout the region, there are fears that a repeat could be around the corner. Our reporter Adam Burns has been in Waipara talking to relieved locals.
Universities warned their funding could run dry
February 19, 2024 18:28 - 3 minutes - 3.18 MBSome universities could run out of cash this year or breach their borrowing limits. The Tertiary Education Commission made the warning in a financial overview of the sector delivered to incoming Tertiary Education Minister, Penny Simmonds in November. It says it regarded Victoria and Massey universities as high-risk institutions and Lincoln and Waikato as medium-risk. Those universities deny they will run out of money but they admit times are tough. Education correspondent John Gerritsen...
Analysis - government's plan to 'reset' welfare system
February 19, 2024 18:20 - 5 minutes - 5.27 MBNew sanctions being introduced to beneficiaries by the government has copped criticism from parties on the left, with the Greens accusing it of "pushing people into poverty." RNZ political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Welfare Minister defends benefit crackdown
February 19, 2024 18:10 - 9 minutes - 8.87 MBThe government's directive to ramp up welfare sanctions to stop what it calls the surge in benefit dependency under Labour, is being slammed by parties on the left. The coalition has told officials that beneficiaries who aren't doing enough to find a job must be penalised more rigorously than they were on the last government's watch. But Labour says that's ignoring the evidence about so called "tough love" action. And the Greens say reducing, suspending or cancelling benefits as a punish...
Business News for 20 february 2024
February 19, 2024 17:53 - 5 minutes - 5.17 MBBusiness news for 20 February 2024
Firefighters still tackling multiple fires in Canterbury
February 19, 2024 17:45 - 2 minutes - 2.62 MBFirefighters are still wrestling with two major bushfires in Canterbury. Fire and Emergency says about ninety firefighters are still working to extinguish a fire on Port Hills in Christchurch. And about fifty more are working to keep a scrub fire contained in the Waikari Valley near Waipara. Residents were allowed to go home last night but Civil Defence says the fire will keep burning for some time. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Benefit sanctions cop criticism
February 19, 2024 17:40 - 3 minutes - 3.07 MBThe government is being accused of ignoring evidence, as it orders the increased use of benefit sanctions. It has directed the Ministry of Social Development to ramp up the use of penalties on beneficiaries who aren't meeting their job-seeking obligations. But Opposition parties say sanctioning people on the benefit doesn't work and will only drive them further into poverty. Here's our political reporter, Katie Scotcher.
Early Sports Chat for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:37 - 3 minutes - 2.98 MBAn update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Morning Rural News for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:27 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBNews from the rural farming sector.
Early Business News for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:25 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBLatest news from Radio New Zealand's business team.
Sports News for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:06 - 1 minute - 1.16 MBThe Football Ferns have booked their place at this year's Paris Olympics.
Sports News for 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:06 - 1 minute - 1.16 MBThe Football Ferns have booked their place at this year's Paris Olympics.
Top Stories for Tuesday 20 February 2024
February 19, 2024 17:00 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBTop stories for Tuesday 20 February 2024 We speak to Social Development Minister Louise Upston about her plans to crack down on benefit dependency. Documents show some universities could run out of cash this year or breach their borrowing limits. Up to 60 people have been killed in inter-tribal violence in Papua New Guinea. More than one in ten New Zealand nurses have registered to work in Australia over the past 12 months.
Medical devices to stay 'largely unregulated'
February 18, 2024 19:48 - 3 minutes - 3.46 MBPatient safety advocates warn scrapping the new Therapeutic Products Act will leave thousands of New Zealanders exposed to harm from dodgy medical devices. The Act, which has yet to come into force, would have made medical devices as well as cell, gene and tissue therapies subject to a similar regulatory regime as medicines. The industry is backing the move saying the new law is heavy handed and would stop people getting access to the latest life-saving technological advances. Ruth Hill ...
Port Hills residents call for plantation forestry ban
February 18, 2024 19:43 - 3 minutes - 2.9 MBA Port Hills resident who suffered fire damage to his home seven years ago says plantation forestry is becoming too dangerous in the area. Firefighters continue to toil round-the-clock in an effort to snuff out the massive blaze which began nearly five days ago. Although the impact of this event hasn't quite been as severe as the wildfires of seven years ago, it has sparked questions about the Port Hills land use and its future. Adam Burns reports.
Sports Chat for 19 February 2024
February 18, 2024 19:38 - 3 minutes - 2.82 MBAn update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Market Update for 19 February 2024
February 18, 2024 19:29 - 2 minutes - 2.33 MBMarket Update for 19 February 2024
Clareburt wins gold at swimming world champs
February 18, 2024 19:24 - 3 minutes - 3.23 MBLewis Clareburt has brought the curtain down on a historic New Zealand record haul at swimming world championships, winning gold in Doha this morning. Clareburt powered through the field to win the 400-metre individual medley, having qualified fifth-fastest. It was New Zealand's fourth medal in Doha and our second gold, after freestyle specialist Erika Fairweather won the women's 400-metre gold, along with silver in the 200-metres and bronze in the 800-metres. Swimming New Zealand chief ...
Principals wary of government's reading and maths rules
February 18, 2024 19:23 - 4 minutes - 3.92 MBPrincipals warn schools will need more funding if they are to achieve the government's goals for reading, writing and maths. It is now a requirement that schools teach children in Years 0-8 reading, writing and maths for an average of at least one hour a day. But the President of the Principals Federation, Leanne Otene, says resources are needed before that target can be met. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Opposition leader hits back at transport spending criticism
February 18, 2024 19:13 - 9 minutes - 8.95 MBThe political week got off to an early start this week with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over the weekend accusing Labour of leaving his administration a $200 billion hole in transport commitments. That figure's nearly half the size of the economy. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.