Morning Report for Monday 27 June 2011

8:50 AM.His release follows the freeing last week of the outspoken artist Ai Weiwei who spent nearly three months in police custody as the government cracked down on opposition. Audio

8:50 AM.British politician Lord Christopher Monckton says he was catastrophically stupid to compare the prominent Australian economist Ross Garnaut to Adolf Hitler, A Victorian woman is leading a new class… Read more Audio

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

8:44 AM.A high-profile Queens Counsel believes his client would have a better case for compensation, were he not Maori, tattooed and holding a criminal record. Audio

8:41 AM.The Emperor Penguin which has caught national attention since appearing on the Kapiti Coast last week will undergo yet another procedure this morning. Audio

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

8:31 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:28 AM.The Prime Minister, John Key, has told Queenstown to get started building a regional events centre. Audio

8:24 AM.The Government's disputed plan for the casino operator Sky City to build a national convention centre goes before the Auckland Council this week. Audio

8:19 AM.Engineering experts have told families of the Pike River Mine victims that efforts to recover the bodies of the 29 men could take up to two years. Audio

8:15 AM.Maori academic and Political commentator Rawiri Taonui on Te Tai Tokerau result. Audio

8:09 AM.Hone Harawira may have taken the seat on Saturday, but the Labour Party believes it could still win Te Tai Tokerau in the general election because the weekend's result was so close. Audio

7:56 AM.Though it poses no threat to the planet, the MD 2011 asteroid, which is about the size of a bus will make an extremely close pass. Audio

7:53 AM.The decision's understood to be based on the convention that royal visits don't take place near general elections. Audio

7:49 AM.Local Government New Zealand-owned Civic Assurance is facing quake-related claims of 750-million dollars from the Christchurch City Council and the Waimakariri District Council. Audio

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

7:41 AM.The Taj Mahal, Bollywood and cricket will all be part of the Prime Minister's three day visit to India this week, but giving a boost to free trade talks will be John Key's primary focus. Audio

7:37 AM.Final checks will be made today at the Pike River Coal mine to clear the way for planned re-entry tomorrow. Audio

7:29 AM.Snow has finally come to New Zealand's ski fields, bringing a collective sigh of relief from winter tourism operators. Audio

7:28 AM.There is some good news for air travellers this morning. Audio

7:26 AM.Search and rescue staff in Wanaka have found the body of a 23 year old German tramper who went missing in Mount Aspiring National Park. Audio

7:21 AM.The Maori Party says while it's disappointed it lost to the Mana Party in the weekend by- election, it does not see the result as a precedent. Audio

7:14 AM.Prime Minister, John Key, says the by-election has achieved little. Audio

7:09 AM.Labour says the race for the Maori seats is wide open, with the Maori Party in deep trouble after the Te Tai Tokerau by-election. Audio

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

6:41 AM.The victorious Mana Party held a hui in Whangarei yesterday to discuss its policies and election strategy. Audio

6:38 AM.Labour says its showing in the Te Tai Tokera by-election shows it has a good chance of winning back Maori seats at the general election. Audio

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

6:25 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:21 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:18 AM.The Government has come under fire for allowing New Zealand to develop one of the highest rates of diabetes in the western world. Audio

6:13 AM.The Prime Minister has arrived in India where he hopes to give momentum to free trade talks with the world's second most populous country. Audio

6:06 AM.An insurance company which provides cover for 46 out of 78 councils around New Zealand says when their policies expire on Thursday they won't be renewed. Audio

6:00 AM.Mana and Labour say the Maori Party is in deep trouble in the Maori seats, Hone Harawira told to forge agreement with Maori Party, Maori Party not worried by Te Tai Tokerau result, Airlines resume… Read more Audio