Morning Report for Thursday 16 June 2011

8:55 AM.A plea is going out for the return of a 400-year-old bell that was stolen from a church in south waikato town of Otorohanga despite it weighing a hefty 150 kilograms and needing two men to carry it. Audio

8:53 AM.Academics are unhappy with the tactics universities are using to prepare for a high-stakes assessment of their research next year. Audio

8:51 AM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

8:48 AM.Health authorities are still trying to trace those exposed to measles in the latest outbreak of the disease in Auckland. Audio

8:41 AM.A jury has found two of the so-called killer clowns guilty of murder, but aquitted a third man who had been charged in connection with the hammer-killing of Dean Browne in January last year. Audio

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

8:32 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:29 AM.The police have been playing a key role helping to keep Christchurch residents feeling as safe as it's possible to feel during the quakes. Audio

8:24 AM.It's not just people in Christchurch's CBD who are considering moving. Audio

8:15 AM.As stress levels remain high for the residents of the damaged suburbs of Christchurch, property owners in the central city are also feeling the strain. Audio

8:12 AM.New Zealand isn't the only country where flights have been grounded due to the danger caused by ash from Chile's Puyehue volcano range. Audio

8:09 AM.Our reporter Rachel Graham is at Christchurch airport. Audio

8:08 AM.Air New Zealand says low level volcanic ash drifting over the country has left it with no choice but to cancel more flights this morning. Audio

7:58 AM.A lunar eclipse has been dazzling people this morning. Audio

7:55 AM.People sentenced to community service are doing their bit to help the clean-up in Christchurch. Audio

7:53 AM.Our reporter Bridget Mills is in the suburb of Heathcote Valley. Audio

7:50 AM.A prison reform group says the Corrections Minister is playing fast and loose with inmate numbers. Audio

7:47 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:41 AM.The world's biggest publishing company, News Limited, is threatening to boycott coverage of the rugby world cup unless the IRB backs down over restrictions on media coverage. Audio

7:37 AM.Women in the Australian army will serve on the front-line in Afghanistan by next year. Audio

7:28 AM.Early risers today may have seen a lunar eclipse forming as the moon moves across the earth's shadow. Audio

7:22 AM.In Greece, thousands of public servants and groups opposed to government austerity measures have protested outside the parliament in Athens. Audio

7:21 AM.All Qantas flights, and those of its offshoot Jetstar, are cancelled until at least midday while Pacific Blue's transtasman flights to and from Christchurch and Wellington are also grounded. Audio

7:18 AM.The Catholic basilica in Christchurch was further damaged in Monday's earthquake making its demolition all but inevitable. Audio

7:15 AM.Christchurch residents who believe their properties will be on the list of sections which need to be abandoned are frustrated at not being able to make a fresh start somewhere else. Audio

7:13 AM.In Christchurch power is back on for all but a small number of customers after Monday's earthquakes, but the city council is warning it could be six months before water supplies return to normal. Audio

7:09 AM.For the first time Air New Zealand has cancelled flights because of the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Chile. Audio

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

6:41 AM.It's been particularly hard for those in the suburb of Ferrymead. Audio

6:38 AM.For the first time Air New Zealand has cancelled flights because of the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Chile. Audio

6:28 AM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

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

6:20 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:11 AM.In Christchurch, power has been restored to most households. Audio

6:00 AM.Air New Zealand cancels flights to much of South Island; clean up considers in Christchurch; residents preparing to leave houses being stymied; Catholic community faces tough decision over Cathedral… Read more Audio