Morning Report for Thursday 12 July 2012

8:55 AM.South Korea has hinted it might bow to international pressure and ditch its plan to resume its so-called 'scientific whaling'. Audio

8:52 AM.A new report by Unicef New Zealand on the plight of children criticises the Government for its narrow focus on fixing abuse, while ignoring the underlying causes, such as poverty. Audio

8:49 AM.The Royal Commission into the Canterbury earthquakes has been told of new deficiencies in the structure of the CTV Building. Audio

8:47 AM.A member of the central North Island iwi, Ngati Rangi, has suggested that a Maori-run body is set up to decide how water is allocated to hydro power schemes; The Federation of Maori Authorities wants… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.Syrians living in New Zealand say there will never be peace in their home country while president Bashar al-Assad still rules, despite his promise to quell the violence. Audio

8:38 AM.A Northland police area commander has retired abruptly, saying he is frustrated with law enforcement being run like a business. 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

8:26 AM.The New Zealand cricketers have had their first win on their tour of the West Indies. Audio

8:21 AM.The Labour Party says a scam at Immigration New Zealand's office in Beijing shows the rules for issuing visas need to be tightened. Audio

8:18 AM.Meanwhile, the specially held Waitangi Tribunal hearing is continuing in Lower Hutt. Audio

8:10 AM.The Maori Party will consult its members before a meeting with the Prime Minister on Monday that could spell the end of its relationship with the Government. Audio

7:56 AM.Controversy is raging in India over the case of Pinki Pramanik. Audio

7:53 AM.New Zealand is relaxing its deadline for Samoans to apply for residency here under their country's special immigration quota, to give them extra time to find a job. Audio

7:49 AM.In Spain, police have fired rubber bullets and used batons to disperse protesters in central Madrid amid growing anger at further austerity measures announced by the government, as it seeks to curb… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.The investment fund that will help pay for National Super from 2030 had its worst month in almost a year in May with close to a billion dollars in losses due to falling global sharemarkets. Audio

7:42 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:38 AM.Christchurch's lines company Orion says it is again seeking permission to raise prices by 10 percent, despite making more than $50 million in profit. Audio

7:35 AM.The death of a 10-year-old boy on the remote Te Kumi station has shocked people living in the Waikura Valley near East Cape. Audio

7:28 AM.A head-on collision between a car and a logging truck, on State Highway Four in the central North Island, has killed four people and left a fifth person injured. Audio

7:24 AM.The Head of Immigration, Steve Stuart, comments on the visa frauds. Audio

7:20 AM.Authorities are hunting for 279 students from China who've arrived in New Zealand illegally using false documents to gain visas. Audio

7:13 AM.The Maori Party whip, Te Ururoa Flavell, comments on Monday's meeting with the PM. Audio

7:09 AM.A meeting with the Prime Minister on Monday could be the make or break moment for the Maori Party as it comes under growing pressure to walk away from its role in government. Audio

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

6:37 AM.The political commentator, Willy Jackson, says the Maori Party will have to walk away from its role in government if the Prime Minister does not give the Waitangi Tribunal proper respect. Audio

6:27 AM.A member of the central North Island iwi, Ngati Rangi, has suggested that a Maori-run body is set up to decide how water is allocated to hydro power schemes; The Federation of Maori Authorities Chief… Read more Audio

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

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

6:11 AM.The New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, wants the Government to investigate the company contracted by Immigration New Zealand to process visa applicants in China. Audio

6:00 AM.Maori Party heading for showdown with PM; Chinese immigration advisers warn govt to tighten up licensing; head-on collision kills four people on State Highway Four; death of 10 year old boy in Waikura… Read more Audio