Morning Report for Tuesday 17 April 2012

8:57 AM.Britain and the United States are famously the best of friends, but it wasn't always that way. Audio

8:53 AM.Even without the Cathedral, the "I do's" are ringing out in post-quake Christchurch with businesses in the wedding industry reporting a boom. Audio

8:48 AM.A Maori authority in Gisborne says the loss of its land is like having a child taken away; Te Kupenga, the national network of stopping domestic violence says it doesn't believe violence is on the… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.A second round of earthquake simulations, using explosives are to begin in Christchurch today; upsetting some residents in the area. Audio

8:43 AM.An international expert in earthquake recovery who's touring New Zealand says it's inconceivable to think that a building as magnificent as Christchurch Cathedral won't be rebuilt. 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.Refining New Zealand bosses are making a whistle-stop tour of the country this week, seeking shareholder approval for a major expansion at the Marsden Point oil refinery. Audio

8:23 AM.Southern mayors are lobbying to save an employment programme, as youth unemployment sky rockets in the region. Audio

8:20 AM.Foreign exchange adviser at Rankin Treasury Advisory, Derek Rankin says the dollar is no more volatile than usual. Audio

8:13 AM.Opposition politicians are calling for more help for exporters finding it hard to do business with the high and generally volatile exchange rate. Audio

8:09 AM.The government could be poised to take over the rebuild of Christchurch's central business district. Audio

7:57 AM.Scientists in Auckland say they have discovered why a dose of general anaesthetic makes patients feel like they have jet lag. Audio

7:54 AM.China's fourth-ranked leader, Jia Qinglin, was hosted at an official function at Premier House in Wellington last night as part of his four-day visit to the country. Audio

7:50 AM.A row has broken out in Britain, after the country's first Muslim peer reportedly offered a 10 million pound bounty for the capture of the United States President Barack Obama, and his predecessor… Read more Audio

7:47 AM.A lawyer representing the families of Indonesian fishermen who died when a Korean fishing boat sank, says the inquest will show the true horror experienced aboard some foreign charter vessels. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:38 AM.SkyCity's chief executive is defending gaming options at its Auckland casino, saying other forms of gambling do more harm. Audio

7:35 AM.A new study reveals the current high level and general volatility of the New Zealand dollar are barriers to nearly 50 percent of all export firms. Audio

7:27 AM.The mayors from the south of the South Island are lobbying to save a youth programme described as a national blueprint for helping get young people into work and study. Audio

7:23 AM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says Indonesia is potentially breaching its Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand with its quotas on beef imports. Audio

7:20 AM.Christchurch East Labour MP, Lianne Dalziel. Audio

7:15 AM.The Minister for Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, is due to give the government's response to the Christchurch City Council's draft central city plan tomorrow. Audio

7:10 AM.The Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik has admitted responsibility for 77 deaths in a bombing and shooting rampage last July. Audio

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

6:40 AM.New figures reveal the high level and volatility of the New Zealand dollar are barriers to nearly half of all export firms making money overseas. Audio

6:27 AM.A Maori authority in Gisborne says the loss of its land is like having a child taken away; An iwi in south Waikato is trying to avoid calling in the Crown over competing tribal treaty claims; Te… 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.Spain's King Juan Carlos is the subject of widespread anger among his struggling subjects after it emerged he spent 30-thousand NZ dollars hunting elephants in Botswana. Audio

6:10 AM.A Christchurch City Councillor, says it's ironic the government appears to be wanting to take over the rebuild of the city's CBD when it's failing in its own core responsibilities such as temporary… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.Norway's mass killer admits acts, denies guilt; Christchurch CBD plan announcement imminent; Chch MP 'govt needs to be more transparent on CBD rebuild'; Indonesia in breach of FTA over beef quotas… Read more Audio