Morning Report for Wednesday 19 August 2009

8:52 AM.It may be that it's been especially cold this past winter. Or it may just be that we're such slack housekeepers. Audio

8:48 AM.The latest from the Waatea team. Audio

8:46 AM.For those Dunedin ratepayers unhappy with the cost of building the new rugby stadium , it looks like they'll also be forking out millions more to buy the ground the stadium replaces. Audio

8:44 AM.Wellington airport executives have presented a multi-million dollar development plan to a public meeting, hoping to win over concerned locals. 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

8:25 AM.A telecommunications consultant is warning the challenge of massive infrastructure rollouts in New Zealand could be compromised by industrial disputes in the industry. Audio

8:20 AM.The disciplinary hearing over who was responsible for an ugly brawl at a rugby game between two of Auckland's top schools will resume this afternoon. Audio

8:15 AM.Streamlining trans-Tasman travel is at the top of the agenda for John Key who is in Australia on a five-day visit. Audio

8:12 AM.A Bill repealing the partial defence of provocation in homicide cases has passed its first reading in Parliament with unanimous support. Audio

8:08 AM.There are claims of widespread vote rigging just a day before Afghanistan's presidential elections. Audio

7:57 AM."Judge not that ye be not judged", said Jesus but a devoutly Christian judge in the US State of Texas now finds herself charged, following one of her more controversial rulings. Audio

7:53 AM.Voters have just three days left to take part in the citizens'-initiated referendum on smacking. Audio

7:48 AM.A tax expert at the Institute of Chartered Accountants is supporting proposals to increase GST while cutting personal and company taxes. Audio

7:45 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.A privacy law expert is questioning the Police Minister's suggestion that photos of drink drivers' be published to shame them. Audio

7:35 AM.This follows proposals for sweeping changes contained in a discussion document out yesterday which include raising the driving age to 17, lowering speed limits and reducing blood-alcohol limits. Audio

7:25 AM.The New Zealand navy has confirmed wreckage found on the Tongan ocean bed is that of the sunken ferry Princess Ashika. Audio

7:20 AM.The public's health watchdog, the Health and Disability Commissioner, says contentious proposals to re-jig the health system deserve careful consideration. Audio

7:14 AM.Kelston Boys High School is still blaming its rival Auckland Grammar for Saturday's rugby brawl even as the two schools wait for a verdict from a disciplinary hearing. Audio

7:08 AM.The new President of the National Party is under pressure to resign, just two and half weeks after being elected. Audio

7:08 AM.A suicide car bomber has killed at least ten people in an attack on a convoy of Western troops in the Afghan capital. The latest violence in Afghanistan is adding to controversy over whether New… Read more Audio

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

6:40 AM.An Auckland Rugby Union Disciplinary Hearing into the weekend brawl between two top Auckland school teams resumes later today. Audio

6:35 AM.Opposition parties are questioning how the Government can send troops to support the Afghan Government after it approved a new law removing a number of freedoms for Afghan women. Audio

6:28 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

6:14 AM.An organisation lobbying for people with joint and muscle conditions is pushing for the disorders to be added to the country's top health priorities. Audio

6:08 AM.Eight people have been arrested for hijacking the cargo ship Arctic Sea, which went off the radar after passing through the English Channel in late July. Audio

6:00 AM.The new National Party president is under pressure to quit. New Zealand's support for Afghanistan's president is questioned in parliament. Neither school accepting blame over a schoolboy rugby stoush… Read more Audio