Morning Report for Thursday 30 August 2012

8:57 AM.The world women's tennis number one, Victoria Azarenka, has eased into the third round of the US Open, with a 6-2, 6-2 win over the little-known Kirsten Flipkens. Audio

8:52 AM.Kaipara ratepayers are preparing for court action after their disgraced district council signed off on a financial plan they believe is illegal. Audio

8:48 AM.Maori seeking to join a Pacific Islands Forum group, say membership could increase business opportunities; An independent assessor says the Ministry of Social Development applied an "overly negative… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.The Paralympics opening ceremony is underway in London with the wheelchair chair-bound scientist, Stephen Hawking, narrating a journey through history. Audio

8:40 AM.The Green Party says the freezing of the road policing budget will stretch the thin blue line to breaking point. 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

8:28 AM.After yesterday's gay marriage bill was sent to a select committee, MPs will be making another conscience vote today; this time on alcohol. Audio

8:27 AM.The Republican Party is preparing to launch its vice-presidential candidate, Paul Ryan, to America at its national convention in Florida. Audio

8:23 AM.The Prime Minister has just wrapped up a breakfast meeting with his Australian counterpart, at the Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga. Audio

8:20 AM.Kiwirail has missed its financial targets for the year, but has received a big boost in its revenue from freight. Audio

8:15 AM.As we said Solid Energy is also cutting 63 jobs at its Huntly East mine. Audio

8:12 AM.It's an uneasy time for coal miners on the West Coast after Solid Energy suspended work at the Spring Creek mine about 10km north of Greymouth. Audio

8:07 AM.After being drawn from a ballot just over a month ago, the private member's bill to legalise same sex marriage has passed its first reading in Parliament. Audio

7:55 AM.As Solid Energy prepares to make job cuts in Huntly and at Spring Creek mine near Greymouth, the energy company is pushing on with its plans to mine lignite in Southland. Audio

7:50 AM.As you've heard this morning, the Government will be spending more than 12 billion dollars on transport projects over the next three years. Audio

7:45 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.The Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has been granted access to some of the funds frozen after his arrest in January. Audio

7:35 AM.The release conditions for sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson's could end up back in court. Audio

7:27 AM.A slow moving Tropical Storm Isaac is continuing to pound Louisiana. Audio

7:22 AM.Auckland has pocketed the lion's share in the latest round of Government funding for roads and public transport. Audio

7:15 AM.The mayor of the Grey District Council, Tony Kokshoorn, joins us now. Audio

7:12 AM.The mining towns of Huntly and Greymouth are in shock with the news that hundreds of jobs are likely to be axed as Solid Energy desperately cuts costs. Audio

7:08 AM.Despite heavy lobbying by churches and groups opposed to gay marriage, MPs have given strong backing to legislation which would legalise same-sex marriage. Audio

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

6:35 AM.The Labour Party has condemned State-owned Solid Energy's decision to slash hundreds of jobs, saying it will force more people on to the dole or across the Tasman. Audio

6:27 AM.Ngapuhi will today be the first iwi to sign a memorandum of understanding with Child Youth and Family - which aims to reduce the number of Ngapuhi children in state care; An independent assessor says… 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 United Nations says far more Syrians have fled the country to escape fighting than expected, and it's warning that a mass movement of refugees could still occur as the unrest continues. Audio

6:10 AM.The Government says it will spend 12 billion dollars on roading and public transport in the next three years, with more than a quarter of that to be spent in Auckland. Audio

6:00 AM.Gay marriage one step closer to law;Hundreds of jobs threatened by Solid Energy's cost-cutting;Grey District Mayor rues a further blow for West Coast miners;Auckland pockets 3.4 billion dollars in… Read more Audio