Morning Report for Tuesday 19 August 2008

8:56 AM.Success in Beijing is adding some extra spice to the usual round of Olympic school projects. Audio

8:53 AM.Has a deal been done to end the impasse? Has the ink dried on a three-quarters of a million dollar contract? Audio

8:51 AM.Tariffs main obstacle to NZ free trade deal with ASEAN countries; NZ wants tariffs removed on key agricultural exports. Audio

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

8:41 AM.Te Whanganui-a-Tara hapu of Taranaki's Te Atiawa Iwi will today sign their settlement. Audio

8:38 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:33 AM.A quick update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:26 AM.Pervez Musharraf's resignation is greeted with both laments and hails from allies and critics. Audio

8:25 AM.World records continue to tumble with new times set in cycling's teams pursuit and pole vault; Barry Guy live from Beijing. Audio

8:21 AM.Kevin Rudd's first official NZ visit while en route to Niue for the Pacific Island Forum. Audio

8:17 AM.The Pacific Island Forum opens today in Niue, but without Fiji, the country that will provoke much of the discussion. Audio

8:15 AM.The South Island's hydroelectric lake levels are causing concern again. Audio

8:09 AM.Act Party leader Rodney Hide, who lodged complaints with the Privileges Committee was at last night's hearing and joins us. Audio

7:57 AM.The latest edition of popular tourist guidebook, Lonely Planet outs our most notoriously ugly and tacky landmarks. Audio

7:55 AM.Sporadic snow has hit many parts of the country overnight with treacherous icy conditions in Canterbury and Otago. Audio

7:52 AM.At least 60 homes are without power in the Nelson Lakes area after what locals are calling the worst snow in over 50 years. Audio

7:47 AM.A critical review highlights serious problems with overcrowded units and chronic staffing issues. Audio

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

7:40 AM.Georgians claim Russian forces have spread themselves more widely throughout the country rather than the promised withdrawal. Audio

7:37 AM.Sports broadcaster Tony Veitch is today on bail and says he will strenuously defend the charges against him. Audio

7:23 AM.Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has resigned rather than face impeachment charges he says are false. Audio

7:14 AM.Fiji chooses not to attend Pacific Forum blaming NZ; Fiji Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and NZ PM Helen Clark comment. Audio

7:09 AM.The New Zealand First leader has defended his fundraising practices during a heated hearing. Audio

6:49 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:43 AM.Another medal for NZ's cycling team, this time bronze; head coach, Tim Carswell, is with us. Audio

6:40 AM.Fiji chooses not to attend Pacific Island Forum in Niue this week in attempt to avoid public scrutiny by peers, but blames NZ. Audio

6:29 AM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:24 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:19 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:16 AM.Network Tasman says the scheme for the Matakitaki River near Murchison could provide power for up to twenty thousand homes. Audio

6:15 AM.Snow in the seaside North Island town took many residents by surprise this morning as the latest cold snap moved north. Audio

6:10 AM.And one of President Bush's staunchest allies in the region is gone. Washington correspondent Oli Barrett joins us. Audio

6:05 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:01 AM.Listen to today's birdcall. Audio

6:00 AM.Peters and Parliament's Privileges Committee, Fiji Forum No-Show, Pakistan's President Resigns, Veitch and Georgia. Audio