Morning Report
24,497 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 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
Nicola Willis on refusing to fund ferry cost blowout
December 13, 2023 19:11 - 8 minutes - 7.88 MBWe want a Toyota, not a Ferrari. That's the way Finance Minister Nicola Willis is describing the government's decision not to pay significant budget blowouts to build new infrastructure for planned Interislander mega ferries. KiwiRail says the project will now be wound down. The new ferries were due to be delivered by 2026, and Nicola Willis says she expects smaller ferries that fit existing infrastructure to be delivered in their place. Willis spoke to Corin Dann.
Sports News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 19:07 - 2 minutes - 2.01 MBAn update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Which NZ town has the most Christmas spirit?
December 13, 2023 18:53 - 4 minutes - 4.19 MBA 'road cone Christmas tree' erected in Wellington has left plenty to be desired, with many residents not getting the joke. The council - which is responsible for the tree on Courtenay Place - says it represents all the different infrastructure projects under construction. But some locals - who struggle to get through the city without encountering disruptions - aren't amused. That left us wondering - which New Zealand towns do well at generating Christmas spirit? Morning Report producer ...
Tertiary Education minister to hear from Te Pukenga managers
December 13, 2023 18:49 - 4 minutes - 3.69 MBTe Pukenga's managers are due to report to Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds tomorrow on the first steps to restoring local leadership to the 16 polytechnics. Simmonds says former polytechnic managers are offering to help. She wants at least interim managers in place early next year to decide whether to go ahead with the hundreds of redundancies Te Pukenga planned for April. She warns some polytechnics will have to make cuts even after Te Pukenga is gone. Education correspondent...
Climate Minister on agreed COP28 deal
December 13, 2023 18:44 - 4 minutes - 4.11 MBA global climate deal has been agreed to at the COP28 summit in Dubai. The deal calls on all countries to move away from the use of fossil fuels. This is the first time there's been a clear reference to the future of all fossil fuels in a United Nations summit text. But, the deal doesn't include any wording on the "phase out" of fossil fuels, something many countries were demanding. 350 Pacific Climate Warriors is a Pacific Islands youth-led grassroots network. Pacific Climate Warrior Br...
Wellington Hospital scores low for MRI, CT, ultrasound training
December 13, 2023 18:40 - 4 minutes - 4.57 MBWellington hospital's scorecard on the way it trains junior doctors to analyse MRI, CT and ultrasound scans has plummeted from 'A' to a basement level 'D'. Sounds bad? It is. Phil Pennington is looking into it.
Gaza facing 'public health disaster' - UN
December 13, 2023 18:34 - 5 minutes - 5.44 MBThe UN humanitarian office has reiterated that Gaza is facing a "public health disaster" after the collapse of its health system. The health ministry in Gaza has said its supply of vaccines for children has run out, and has called on international organisations to deliver more vaccines urgently. Eighty-five per cent of the population of Gaza has been displaced by the war with Israel, and people are living in overcrowded, unsanitary shelters. Heavy rain overnight in the region has only ca...
COP28 deal reached, with commitment to 'move away' from fossil fuels
December 13, 2023 18:24 - 4 minutes - 4.51 MBA new global deal on climate change has been approved by almost 200 countries at the COP28summit in Dubai. The deal calls on all countries to move away from the use of fossil fuels. This is the first time there's been a clear reference to the future of all fossil fuels in a United Nations summit text. But, this deal doesn't include any wording on the "phase out" of fossil fuels, something many countries were demanding. Ingrid Hipkiss spoke to Guardian reporter Patrick Greenfield, who's b...
KiwiRail on ferry replacement funding trouble
December 13, 2023 18:10 - 9 minutes - 8.92 MBKiwiRail has been told to find new, cheaper options to upgrade its fleet of Interislander ferries. Two new mega ferries had been planned, with 400-million-dollars already paid to boat builders, although construction hasn't begun. The ferries would have required new port terminals in Wellington and Picton, and with costs blowing out by one-point-five-billion-dollars, the new government has declined to pay. The former Finance Minister, Grant Robertson, echoed Nicola Willis' statements in s...
Sports News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 18:06 - 1 minute - 1.08 MBAn update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Business News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:55 - 4 minutes - 3.95 MBNews from the business sector, including a market report.
Transport unions call on Nicola Willis to resign
December 13, 2023 17:49 - 4 minutes - 4.24 MBFour transport unions are calling for Finance Minister Nicola Willis to resign after she announced no new funding for the Cook Strait ferry upgrade. The Maritime Union, which represents seafarers, says the decision does not take into account the importance of a having functioning inter-island service... and having it soon. Craig Harrison spoke to Corin Dann.
Country needs better emergency management - Ombudsman
December 13, 2023 17:43 - 6 minutes - 5.98 MBA new Ombudsman report says the country needs a better emergency management system for responding to extreme weather. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier visited communities affected by the severe weather at the start of the year. Councils spoke of being thinly spread and under-equipped to deal with disaster. Just this week, a Napier City Council review found local authorities were "hugely unprepared" for Cyclone Gabrielle. Boshier spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Early Sports News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:37 - 4 minutes - 4.27 MBAn update from RNZ's sports team.
Morning Rural News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:26 - 4 minutes - 3.73 MBNews from the rural and farming sector.
Early Business News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:24 - 1 minute - 1.34 MBA brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Anti-mining campaigner not happy with Shane Jones
December 13, 2023 17:11 - 6 minutes - 5.52 MBComments by the new Resources Minister, Shane Jones, in the House have drawn outrage from the anti-mining community. Ours Not Mines is an anti-mining group currently engaged in a court battle against the Hauraki District Council over a permit to mine gold in the Coromandel. They say they will fight hard against any further mining. Co-founder Morgan Donoghue spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Sports News for 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:06 - 1 minute - 1.17 MBAn update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Top Stories for Thursday 14 December 2023
December 13, 2023 17:00 - 26 minutes - 23.8 MBKiwiRail on ferry replacement funding trouble; COP28 deal reached, no commitment to phase out fossil fuels; Gaza facing 'public health disaster' - UN; Wellington Hospital scores low for MRI, CT, ultrasound training.
Cozy caberet-style venue wins over artists with intimate vibe
December 12, 2023 19:57 - 3 minutes - 3.34 MBAfter raising its curtain for the first time a decade ago, the 4th Wall Theatre in New Plymouth has gone from touting for business to hosting luminaries of the stage and screen, and an array of international touring musicians. Michael Hurst - he of Hercules fame - has trodden the boards at the converted church and this month '80s hit-maker with the Commotions - Lloyd Cole - brought his solo show to the venue for a second time. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went along to see wh...
Otago Uni zoologist spots rare bird
December 12, 2023 19:54 - 2 minutes - 2.38 MBAn Otago University zoologist has contributed to a new report after spotting an extremely rare half female, half male bird. Hamish Spencer was on holiday in Colombia in May when a wild Green Honeycreeper was pointed out to him. It has distinct half green and half blue plumage, the second spotted of this kind in more than a hundred years. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Cyclone Jasper approaching Australia
December 12, 2023 19:50 - 4 minutes - 3.83 MBCyclone Jasper is edging closer to Australia's northeast, with risks of storm surges and damaging winds. It's expected to make landfall later today, and residents in Cairns were given 'prepare to leave' notices yesterday afternoon. Australia's weather bureau is forecasting gales to start on the coast within the next six hours. ABC reporter Alexandria Utting spoke to Corin Dann.
Paul Goldsmith comitted to settling Ngapuhi treaty claim
December 12, 2023 19:40 - 4 minutes - 4.38 MBMinister of Treaty negotiations Paul Goldsmith says he's committed to settling Ngapuhi's treaty claim, but says he doesn't want to "relitigate" arguments around legal sovereignty. On Saturday Waitangi Tribunal members travelled to Waitangi to hand over the completed part one, stage two Te Paparahi o Te Raki report, also known as the Northern Inquiry. The report deals with land loss, military conflict and Treaty breaches endured by Ngapuhi, Northland's biggest iwi, between 1840 and 1900. ...
Sports Chat for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 19:36 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBAn update from RNZ's sports team.
Golriz Ghahraman on NZ, Aus, Canada statement
December 12, 2023 19:35 - 4 minutes - 3.7 MBThe Green Party has welcomed this morning's joint statement from the prime ministers of New Zealand, Australia, and Canada calling for a pause in hostilities in Gaza. It comes just before an emergency special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. US President Joe Biden is also ramping up pressure... saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his hardline government and that Israel cannot say no in the future to a Palestinian state. Green Party foreign affa...
Markets Update for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 19:30 - 1 minute - 1.17 MBA brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Marvel Universe exhibition arrives in Wellington
December 12, 2023 19:27 - 2 minutes - 2.36 MBSuper-heroes of the Marvel Universe feature in the worldwide premiere of an exhibition opening today in Wellington. Home to Iron Man, Thor and their band of Avengers, the exhibition explores Marvel's 80-year history. Reporter Krystal Gibbens went along for a preview last night.
High school counsellors awarded $1.8m for stress
December 12, 2023 19:21 - 2 minutes - 2.51 MBTwo high school counsellors have been awarded almost $1.8m by the courts for the workplace stress they dealt with. Kath and Ron Cronin-Lampe were both counsellors at Melville High School in Hamilton between 1997 and 2012. They had to deal with 32 deaths during their time at the school, including suicides, car crashes, terminal illnesses and murder. Their lawyer Toby Braun spoke to Corin Dann.
Construction management expert on Commerce Commission's cartel prosecution
December 12, 2023 19:16 - 6 minutes - 6.24 MBAn expert in construction management said it's a good thing the Commerce Commission has filed charges against two companies for cartel conduct. The charges allege the companies rigged bids for publicly funded infrastructure contracts in Auckland. AUT's John Tookey spoke with Corin Dann. He said that sort of behaviour is rare, but does happen across the sector.
Changing Reserve Bank mandate 'pointless' - Hipkins
December 12, 2023 19:10 - 6 minutes - 6.07 MBThe Labour Party says the government's moves to change the Reserve Bank's mandate is pointless, and a backwards step. The bill, being passed under urgency through all stages, is the first piece of legislation for the new government. It would remove the Reserve Bank's dual-mandate, meaning it would no longer be required to push for maximum sustainable employment levels across the country. The legislation passed through its second reading last night. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins is wi...
Sports News for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 19:06 - 2 minutes - 2.34 MBAn update from RNZ's sports team.
Holidays Act proves continuing headache for Te Whatu Ora
December 12, 2023 18:55 - 3 minutes - 3.59 MBPayroll experts warn Te Whatu Ora's more than two-billion-dollar backpay bill owed to staff will keep growing because the Holidays Act is not fit for purpose. As well as the amount owed for wrongly calculated holiday leave, the agency is also carrying more than a billion dollars in unpaid annual leave. Unions say that's because staff shortages mean health workers can't take time off. Ruth Hill reports.
Shane Jones puts environmental laws in his sights
December 12, 2023 18:47 - 3 minutes - 2.91 MBThe new Minister for Regional Development, Resources and Ocean and Fisheries, Shane Jones, has put climate change and environmental laws firmly in his sights. In Parliament yesterday, the New Zealand First deputy leader said that officials working on areas such as the emissions trading scheme, the ETS, should stop work and await instruction. The Minister then continued with his dismissal of environmental laws and he said gas and oil exploration were back on the table. Jones also lauded t...
NZ not on track to meet climate target - Climate Commission
December 12, 2023 18:47 - 7 minutes - 7.11 MBThe Climate Change Commission says New Zealand is not on track to meet its climate targets. The independent organisation's latest report discusses how the government can meet its emissions budgets - including the five-year budget covering 2026 to 2030. During that time the total quantity of New Zealand's emissions need to reduce by forty-three-point-five million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (43.5 MtCO2e) to stay on track for the net zero by 2050 target. But under the latest projec...
Te Whatu Ora issues Covid booster reminder
December 12, 2023 18:41 - 5 minutes - 5.13 MBTe Whatu Ora is reminding those eligible for Covid boosters to book them in before Christmas. New Zealand has been experiencing another wave of COVID-19 over the last few weeks with hospitalisations creeping back up. Last week Medsafe approved boosters for the XBB 1.5 strain which dominated this winter, but now only makes up about a fifth of cases. Te Whatu Ora's Doctor Nicholas Jones spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.
Christchurch to host Sail GP
December 12, 2023 18:37 - 2 minutes - 2.64 MBLyttelton Harbour has been confirmed as host of the New Zealand leg of Sail GP in March next year. Auckland was meant to play host to the racing, but the unavailability of a spectator facility put paid to the event. Christchurch has hosted the event in the past, and it's now been confirmed to take place on the 23rd and 24th of March. Tyrone Fields, councillor for Banks Peninsula, spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.
Government releases joint statement on Israel/Gaza war
December 12, 2023 18:27 - 5 minutes - 5.36 MBThe Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined Australia and Canada's leaders in calling for a pause in hostilities in Gaza and more international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire. In a statement Mr Luxon, Anthony Albanese and Justin Trudeau say they unequivocally condemn Hamas' attacks on Israel on October the 7th, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
COP28 mired in debate about draft statement
December 12, 2023 18:19 - 8 minutes - 8.13 MBToday was meant to see the end of the annual COP28 summit in Dubai, but an impasse as to the wording used in the conference's final text is causing delays. A row erupted after a draft of a potential climate deal at the COP28 summit was released on Monday. It suggested a range of measures countries could take to slash greenhouse gas emissions, but crucially omitted the "phase out" of fossil fuels, which many nations have demanded. Guardian reporter Patrick Greenfield spoke to Corin Dann a...
Roofs torn off, windows shattered in powerful Lower Hutt storm
December 12, 2023 18:13 - 4 minutes - 3.9 MBA powerful thunderstorm caused significant damage across the country yesterday. Roofs were torn off buildings, windows and doors shattered, and at least two people were injured when the storm struck Lower Hutt yesterday afternoon. Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.
Government rushes to scrap Reserve Bank's employment mandate
December 12, 2023 18:10 - 3 minutes - 3.29 MBLegislation to scrap the Reserve Bank's mandate to protect jobs is being rushed through Parliament under urgency. It's one of the coalition government's first moves in power - aimed at bringing down the cost of living. Opposition parties have decried the move as a pointless, backwards step. Political reporter Anneke Smith reports.
Business News for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 17:55 - 4 minutes - 4.06 MBNews from the business sector, including a market report.
Protest sparks debate about limits of civil disobedience
December 12, 2023 17:49 - 4 minutes - 4.31 MBA protest at Te Papa has sparked questions about what is deemed 'too far' for civil disobedience in public spaces. A group called Te Waka Hourua spraypainted over a panel of the English text of the Treaty of Waitangi on Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of 12 people. Museums Aotearoa chief executive Adele Fitzpatrick spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.
Dramatic weather hits country on Tuesday
December 12, 2023 17:44 - 4 minutes - 3.9 MBUawa Tolaga Bay Civil defence said the community had a scary night after rain, hail and lightning continued late into the evening on Tuesday night. Civil defence manager for the area Greg Shelton said the rain and hail started around 7 o'clock and lasted until 9 o'clock. He said impressive lightning continued until about 11 o'clock. Metservice meteorologist John Law spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.
Hutt South MP describes aftermath of powerful storm
December 12, 2023 17:39 - 4 minutes - 4.13 MBThe Hutt South MP Chris Bishop has praised locals who rushed to get children to safety during the ferocious storm that hit Lower Hutt yesterday afternoon. Howling winds and heavy rain pelted the Wellington region about 3 o'clock, smashing windows, tearing up trees and ripping off roofs. Chris Bishop said Lower Hutt teachers raced to get students who were leaving for the day back inside out of harm's way. He says some builders even pulled some children walking home into the safety of a sh...
Early Sports News for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 17:36 - 3 minutes - 3.49 MBAn update from RNZ's sports team.
Morning Rural News for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 17:23 - 4 minutes - 3.84 MBNews from the rural and farming sector.
Early Business News for 13 December 2023
December 12, 2023 17:21 - 1 minute - 1.32 MBA brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Whangarei fuel prices drop to $2.58pl
December 12, 2023 17:16 - 2 minutes - 2.18 MBThere is good news for drivers in Whangarei - fuel prices have plummeted months after the city was lamenting some of the highest prices in the country,. Cut price retailer Allied has opened up in the city, and now other fuel stations have slashed prices to match. Yesterday, 91 was down to 2.58-per-litre, much lower than even the Auckland average. Whangarei mayor Vince Cocurullo spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
WHO to make loneliness a global health priority
November 16, 2023 19:50 - 3 minutes - 3.31 MBThe World Health Organisation is making loneliness a global health priority, this week launching a new Commission on Social Connection. Over the next three years, the Commission will focus on ways to address the 'pressing health threat' of a global epidemic of loneliness, reviewing the latest science and designing strategies to help people deepen their social connections. The WHO says social isolation and loneliness are important, yet neglected, social determinants of the health of older...
Thousands head south for Queenstown marathon
November 16, 2023 19:47 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MBThe 9th annual Queenstown marathon is happening this weekend and will see over 10,000 competitors this year. Nearly 90-percent of athletes are coming from outside of the region, and more than 15-percent will be coming from overseas. The event is expected to inject millions of dollars into the local economy over the coming week. Hospitality NZ senior regional manager Darelle Jenkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.