Morning Report

Global stock markets have stumbled in the wake of the escalating crisis, and raised concerns it could scupper the modest pick up in international economic activity. Audio

Russian and Ukrainian troops in Crimea remain involved in a tense stand-off with the latest move in the international brinksmanship coming with Russia just test firing an intercontinental missile. Audio

And, in Wellington, we are joined by our reporter Cushla Norman who is braving some Southwest gales battering the city. Audio

Our reporter Marcus Irvine is out and about on the flooded streets of Christchurch. Audio

Thousands of homes across Canterbury remain without power, some schools are closed, and now flooding is causing serious problems in suburban Christchurch. Audio

Principals' groups say schools with an exemplary record for working with poor children are furious the ministry has decided they need help tracking and understanding students' results and developing… Read more Audio

A seven-year-old Japanese girl remains in a critical but stable condition in Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after being mauled by dogs in Murupara. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

Kiwirail says preliminary results from air samples taken from 11 Chinese-made locomotives with asbestos in them, have come back negative. Audio

The second day of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial has been an emotional one for witnesses, with several of his neighbours called to talk about the night girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was shot dead on… Read more Audio

The Labour Party is having a rocky start to election year. Audio

Christchurch City Council's Mike Gillooly, is describing the past 24 hours as an extreme weather event. Audio