Morning Report for Monday 1 August 2011

8:56 AM.Our Melbourne correspondent gives us an update of news from the Lucky Country. Audio

8:52 AM.Thousands of Cantabrians made homeless by the recent earthquakes turned out to a weekend expo on housing options - the first in what could turn into a series of such events. Audio

8:51 AM.The celebrity penguin Happy Feet has racked up quite an accomodation bill at Wellington Zoo, and it's estimated it will cost even more to to return him to the wild. Audio

8:48 AM.First Maori owned dairy company begins operation; Ngati Kahu seeks Waitangi Tribunal help for return of their lands; Maori tourism complex gets new roading with help from Auckland Council's… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.The new age is expected to save lives, but of course not everyone is happy with it. Audio

8:39 AM.Despite spending 20 million dollars on advertising over the past three years, the Defence Force is still struggling to attract enough recruits, particularly skilled trades people. Audio

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

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

8:25 AM.Auckland structural engineer John Scarry is concerned that the series of investigations into earthquake related collapses of Christchurch buildings won't result in the changes needed to make the city… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is the Labour MP Mark Dreyfus. He joins the programme to speak about his government's climate change plan. Audio

8:15 AM.Hotel and motel rooms are close to being sold out in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup. Audio

8:09 AM.US lawmakers say they're close to a last-gasp deal to raise the country's borrowing limit and avoid a potentially catastrophic default. An economist from the University of Maryland, Peter Morici… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.Stage one of the deep sea Hoki trawler fleet survey, between Navy and Fisheries officers, has been completed. Audio

7:52 AM.The Transport Agency and police will be out in force this week checking that taxis comply with new safety rules including CCTV cameras. Audio

7:48 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:43 AM.The Minister for the Environment, Dr Nick Smith, defends his government's freshwater management policy despite research findings indicating the state of this countries wetlands is in continued… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Pollution of waterways is going to get worse not better according to the findings of the Cawthron Institute. The organisation's chief executive Bryce Johnson joins the programme. Audio

7:36 AM.The All Blacks have started the defence of their Tri-Nations title with an emphatic victory over the Springboks in Wellington, but a much bigger challenge is expected from Australia next weekend in… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.New Zealand First is making a bid for Labour Party voters, with centre-left policies aimed at the young. Audio

7:23 AM.The national collective of Women's Refuges says financial pressure may force them to introduce waiting lists but the Government isn't buying their argument. Audio

7:20 AM.Police likely to lay more serious charges against 17-year-old appearing in Court for assault, after fatal stabbing in Pakuranga. Audio

7:15 AM.The Syrian army has withdrawn its tanks from the city of Hama after a day of violence which has left at least 100 people dead. Audio

7:09 AM.US lawmakers say they're closing in on a deal to raise the country's debt limit and avoid a dangerous default. Washington DC reporter for the congressional newspaper The Hill, Brent Budowsky, joins… Read more Audio

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

6:41 AM.New driver licencing age comes into effect today. Audio

6:27 AM.Northland's Ngati Kahu people are taking their land claim back to the Waitangi Tribunal - after failing to reach a settlement with the Crown; Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board helps… Read more 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.Associate Minister of Social Development, Tariana Turia, says the collective is getting more money for frontline services than it has in the past. Audio

6:00 AM.US debt crisis solution nears; 100 Syrian deaths in city of Hama; Pakuranga stabbing investigations continue; Women's Refuge funding pressure; New Zealand First makes bid for youth Labour vote first… Read more Audio