Morning Report for Thursday 27 October 2011

8:56 AM.A large, white swan that's been scaring Nelson riverside strollers with its aggressive behaviour is stirring public opinion over its fate. Audio

8:52 AM.An exercise involving a massive out of control fire threatening 500 Queenstown homes has been testing the skills of a multi-agency rapid response team. Audio

8:49 AM.Some lawyers believe National's proposed changes to the granting of bail will mean anyone facing serious charges will be accorded a pre-trial presumption of guilt. Audio

8:48 AM.Most of the Far North's Muriwhenua tribes just days away from initialling Treaty claims deed of settlement; Families Commission appoints first full-time kaihono or senior adviser for cultural… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.The Greens kicked off their election campaigning with a visit to a house in the blue collar suburb of Wellington's Tawa. Our political reporter, Chris Bramwell, was with them. Audio

8:39 AM.Damien Echols, one of the 'West Memphis Three' recently released from prison after 18-years having been convicted of the 1993 murders of three eight-year-old boys in the American state of Arkansas, is… Read more Audio

8:36 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. TWI unavailable. Audio

8:27 AM.To tell us why anyone would want to buy the partially eaten pine needles from Sirocco the kakapo's digestive tract is Zealandia's Lauren Schaer. Audio

8:24 AM.Nurses giving evidence at the murder trial of Sean Davison, a forensics professor, say they doubt he killed his mother even after he wrote about giving her a lethal dose of morphine. Audio

8:19 AM.Otago University's Dr Bryce Edwards and branding expert Dave Bassett join the programme to discuss Labour's campaign strategy. Audio

8:15 AM.The Bakels bakery company Chief Executive, Duncan Loney, joins the programme to discuss his company's options with the gas supply challenges. Audio

8:09 AM.While the company managing the Maui Pipeline says its team has continued to work overnight on the damaged pipe and is currently ahead of schedule for repairs, the acting Minister for Energy and… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.With a forthcoming referendum on our electoral system, Julian Robins takes a look at STV - the Single Transferable Vote, currently used to elect the Australian Senate and the government of Ireland. Audio

7:52 AM.After initially declining, the government says it will now accept offers of foreign aid to help the tens of thousands left homeless by Monday's devastating earthquake. Audio

7:50 AM.Proposals being discussed at the emergency summit include a bigger write-off of Greek debt and provision of further guarantees if Italy and Spain need to borrow more. Audio

7:46 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:39 AM.Svitzer Salvage spokesperson Matthew Watson says they are continuing to work on a new pumping system, designed to extract oil from the harder to reach parts of the vessel. Audio

7:36 AM.Three New Zealand army medics caught using drugs in Afghanistan have been allowed to remain in the armed forces. Audio

7:29 AM.A third of the All Blacks team come from smaller provincial towns and these hometowns are as intent on celebrating their win as the larger centres. Audio

7:23 AM.The spokesperson for Natural gas distributor Vector, Simon McKenzie, joins the programme. Audio

7:18 AM.Party political broadcasts begin tomorrow and our Political Editor Brent Edwards takes a look at the offerings as the election campaigns get underway. Audio

7:13 AM.The Chairman of Maui Development Limited that owns the pipeline, Rob Jager, says it's not clear if the company is liable for any compensation. Audio

7:09 AM.Nearly three and a half thousand businesses have been asked not to use their reticulated gas supply as repairs are completed. Audio

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

6:37 AM.Northland dairy farmers face second day of having to dump milk, with Fonterra's northern processing plants still unable to run because of a gas leak on the Maui Pipeline. Audio

6:27 AM.Most Far North tribes just days away from initialling deed of settlement for Treaty claims; 'crucial role' says Families Commission's first full time kaihono or senior adviser for cultural… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio