Morning Report for Friday 18 July 2008

8:59 AM.A pleasant surprise for our popular presenter. Audio

8:58 AM.We cross to Canberra now to join our correspondent, Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.Guitar maestros from around the world have gathered in New Plymouth this week for a festival dedicated to the instrument. Audio

8:48 AM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

8:45 AM.A police officer who led the force through tumultuous times in the1970s and 80s has died at the age of 86. Audio

8:38 AM.The lead up has already been marked by headlines about violence in Tibet, protests and environmental concerns. Audio

8:35 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:29 AM.A quick update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:24 AM.New Zealand Cricket has launched a worldwide search for a new coach. Audio

8:22 AM.A new report says the country's 11 air ambulance services may need to be cut back. Audio

8:14 AM.Radio New Zealand's court reporter Ann-Marie May is on her own personal pilgrimage in Sydney and she joins us now live. Audio

8:08 AM.Scott Optican is an Associate Professor at the Auckland University Law School he comments on the issue. Audio

7:56 AM.The capital's commuters will be able to use a single card to buy a coffee, catch a bus and even launder their clothes. Audio

7:54 AM.The Finance Minister and the Australian Treasurer say the two country's proposed Emissions Trading Schemes, are compatible. Audio

7:52 AM.New Zealand First holds its annual conference in Auckland this weekend. Audio

7:48 AM.The price of petrol and diesel at the pump has come down for the first time since February. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.Three of the Indians who disappeared en route to World Youth Day say they have not tried to cheat the immigration system. Audio

7:35 AM.The Fire Service in Hastings hopes to be able to determine today what caused a huge fire which destroyed a large coolstore. Audio

7:28 AM.Bids have come in from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton. Audio

7:25 AM.Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clements comedy show is in the running to take out best writing and best directing. Audio

7:20 AM.Our reporter Geoff Moffett is at Nelson airport - the home base of the company. Audio

7:16 AM.Young Catholics decend on Sydney Harbour to catch a glimpse of the Pope. Audio

7:09 AM.TVNZ and the Radio Network say they are carrying out reviews of their handling of former employee Tony Veitch. Audio

6:47 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:40 AM.Pilots from the Air NZ subsidiary, Air Nelson, who serve many smaller regional airports, walked off the job at midnight. Audio

6:35 AM.TVNZ is promising changes to"management and employment practices"in the wake of the Tony Veitch affair. Audio

6:27 AM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:15 AM.Tomorrow morning New Zealand time they play Greece in the quarter finals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Athens. Audio

6:01 AM.Listen to todays bird call. Audio

6:00 AM.Tony Veitch, the Pope, pilot strike, Conchords Emmy Nominees, who'll host top Rugby World Cup matches? Audio