Morning Report for Friday 23 December 2011

8:56 AM.Let's have a chat to our Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:55 AM.We can't claim to get every pronunciation correct, particularly of foreign names and places. Audio

8:50 AM.If you think your preparations for Christmas have been arduous then spare a thought for people who are fasting in the 40 days before Christmas Day. Audio

8:46 AM.A meatworker at CMP's lamb processing plant in Marton, says Christmas will still be hard, despite workers being allowed back at work next week; A kaitiaki on Motiti island in the Bay of Plenty, says… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.Often maligned as rats with wings, pigeons may just be flying Einsteins. Audio

8:39 AM.Air fares are expected to rise after the European Court of Justice ruled that all airlines flying to Europe will be liable to pay carbon taxes. Audio

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

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

8:27 AM.The shooting of Osama Bin Laden is arguably one of the most pivotal events of 2011. It certainly marked a turning point for the retired US Navy Seal, Don Shipley. He runs a website that exposes Seal… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.And in the last of our Christmas messages here's the United Future leader, Peter Dunne. Audio

8:23 AM.In June, the Hororata hotel in Canterbury closed after it became clear there was no economic way to repair damage caused by the September earthquake. Audio

8:23 AM.Here's the Maori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia. Audio

8:21 AM.Some people prefer kiwifruit, perhaps even mandarin segments .... but for most, a Christmas pavlova wouldn't be the same without fresh strawberries. Audio

8:17 AM.Now for some motoring advice for holidaymakers hitting the roads for their Christmas escape this morning. Audio

8:13 AM.The Attorney-General, Chris Finlayson, says a bill that will stop prisoners receiving compensation payments is objectionable and breaches of the Bill of Rights. Audio

8:09 AM.People in Turangi are horrified by the brutal attack on a five-year-old girl at a camping ground in the town. Audio

7:57 AM.Tens of thousands of overseas visited headed here in September for the Rugby World Cup and perhaps not surprisingly, given the history of transtasman sporting rivalry, some Wallaby supporters found… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.In May we reported on an unusual problem in the Chinese countryside -- exploding watermelons. Audio

7:53 AM.Austerity and belt-tightening may have been the year's constant refrain but one thing in plentiful supply was verbosity, verbiage and circumlocution. Audio

7:52 AM.Let's hear from more of our political leaders with their Christmas message. Audio

7:52 AM.And here's the leader of New Zealand First, Winston Peters Audio

7:48 AM.It wouldn't be Christmas without reindeer, but new research shows the wild reindeer population is in serious decline. Audio

7:43 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:38 AM.A one-point-six million dollar fund is being set up to find practical ways to improve the poor health of Pacific communities in New Zealand. Audio

7:35 AM.Tourism operators in Nelson and Tasman fear their once-a-year chance to bank decent profits will be lost, if visitors to the region are put off by the stories of flooding and slips of last week. Audio

7:30 AM.And now, from the other side of the house the Labour Party leader, David Shearer. Audio

7:29 AM.This morning we'll be hearing Christmas greetings from some of the familiar voices we have had on the programme this year. Audio

7:25 AM.Fine weather is here, and it's staying for Christmas. Audio

7:18 AM.Judges have something to smile about for Christmas - they've all been given a pay rise of about five thousand dollars. Audio

7:13 AM.The Prime Minister says the SAS has completed its mission in Afghanistan, and will return home. Audio

7:09 AM.Police are still hunting for the man who beat a five-year-old girl about the head in a sexually motivated attack in Turangi. Audio

6:46 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:41 AM.And looking back at one of the happier stories this year...the big question to emerge from the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton in May had nothing to do with the bridal couple… Read more Audio

6:38 AM.Now to Turangi and the assault on a five year old girl in a campground on Wednesday night. Audio

6:27 AM.A meatworker at CMP's lamb processing plant in Marton, says Christmas will still be hard, despite workers being allowed back at work next week; The Gisborne Council has agreed to support an initiative… Read more Audio

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

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

6:16 AM.Christmas is almost upon us, but back in April we spoke to a British professor who told us there's no need for Easter to keep shifting around the calendar, anywhere from mid March to late April. Audio

6:10 AM.The police are desperate for information to help them find the person who attacked a five-year-old girl in a Turangi camping ground. Audio

6:00 AM.An attack on a five year old girl turns a New Zealand holiday into a nightmare for her family. The Prime Minister confirms the SAS will come home from Kabul in March and tourism operators in Nelson… Read more Audio