Morning Report for Tuesday 31 July 2012

8:56 AM.Six artists and a curator are flying to Samoa with Prime Minister John Key today to take part in celebrations marking 50 years of friendship with New Zealand. Audio

8:52 AM.A new device has been developed to track air quality in people's homes. Audio

8:47 AM.A Northland Iwi leader is warning the government it may face litigation if it chooses to ignore an interim Waitangi Tribunal decision over water rights; The Maori Council hopes the government will… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.Each side of the Syrian conflict continues to claim it has gained ground as heavy fighting grinds on in the second largest city of Aleppo. Audio

8:39 AM.New Zealand will soon be sending a High Commissioner to Fiji and accepting one in return, after high-level talks in Sydney yesterday. 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.At the Olympic Games this morning, all eyes have been on the pool, with France turning into an Olympic swimming force with their third gold medal in London and on New Zealand's progress, it's all been… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.Reaction from the Maori Council's deputy communications chair, Rahui Katene. Audio

8:18 AM.Critics of the government's partial asset sales say they fear a Waitangi Tribunal directive to delay the share float will be ignored. Audio

8:13 AM.Ernest Duval, co-founder of the City Owners Rebuild Entity; Tom McBrearty, Chair of the Cancern resident's group network; Chief executive of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, Tim Hunter - all… Read more Audio

8:09 AM.The government is promising to start work on the rebuild of Christchurch's inner city straight away. Audio

7:55 AM.Telecom customers have until the end of today to ditch their old mobile phones before the company pulls the plug on its outdated CDMA network. Audio

7:52 AM.Term deposits, Kiwisaver, and rental properties are all back in the investor limelight, as confidence levels drop to a three year low. Audio

7:49 AM.The former chief executive of the Pike River Mine, Peter Whittall, is expected to enter pleas today at the Greymouth District Court to the 12 health and safety charges he faces over the explosion at… Read more Audio

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

7:42 AM.KiwiRail is considering selling its Tranz Scenic business, or go into partnership with a private company. Audio

7:38 AM.The launch of the blueprint was a champagne affair last night but one that wasn't appreciated by all living in Christchurch, especially frustrated owners of damaged suburban properties. Audio

7:25 AM.New Zealand's medal tally remains barren at the London Olympics, but it could be a different story this time tomorrow. Audio

7:21 AM.The Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has been a harsh critic of the government's position. Audio

7:19 AM.The claimants who went to the Waitangi Tribunal over water ownership say the government will breach the Treaty of Waitangi if it ignores the tribunal's ruling and may face legal action. Audio

7:16 AM.A tree planting ceremony took place on the banks of the Avon River this morning to symbolise the beginning of the rebuild of the Christchurch central city. Audio

7:11 AM.Is Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee pleased with the initial response to the plan? Audio

7:09 AM.Business leaders in Christchurch say the city will be the most liveable in Australasia once the newly released blueprint for its CBD takes shape. Audio

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

6:41 AM.Reaction from business and community leaders on the new Christchurch plan. Audio

6:38 AM.Plans for the rebuild of central Christchurch have been launched with opposition political parties saying that the devil could be in the detail. Audio

6:27 AM.A Northland Iwi leader is warning the government it may face litigation if it chooses to ignore an interim Waitangi Tribunal decision over water rights; The Maori Council hopes the government will… Read more Audio

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

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

6:15 AM.The Labour Party says the government has been left with just two choices on how it deals with a Waitangi Tribunal directive to delay the share float of the government's partial asset sales. Audio

6:09 AM.A tree planting ceremony to symbolise the beginning of the Christchurch central city rebuild will get underway on the banks of the Avon River in about half an hour. Audio

6:00 AM.Business leaders say Christchurch will be most liveable city in Australasia; Gerry Brownlee says Christchurch work will begin soon; Avon River tree planting ceremony; Claimants urge government to… Read more Audio