Morning Report for Monday 17 September 2012

8:55 AM.Professor Francis Schwarze, from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology, has discovered a way of treating wood used to make relatively cheap violins, to give it special… Read more Audio

8:52 AM.One of the biggest stories in Australia today is the weekend attempt to storm the US consulate in Sydney. Audio

8:48 AM.The embattled Rata Te Awhina Trust - which provides Maori health services on the South Island's West Coast - is bringing in more leaders with greater experience to sort out its problems; The Maori… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.A she'll be right attitude to health and safety could be partly to blame for the more than 100 workplace deaths each year. Audio

8:39 AM.While Royal outrage simmers in Europe, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have had a warm reception in Solomon Islands. 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.Schools in Tonga are now enjoying their first affordable and reliable access to computers thanks to University of Canterbury engineering students - and the power of the sun. Audio

8:23 AM.New Zealand's netballers couldn't have asked for a better start to their three-match test series against Australia, winning the first match in Melbourne 54-52. Audio

8:16 AM.Debate over whether the government should intervene to counter the rising New Zealand dollar is gaining momentum as the Kiwi inches to a six-month high. Audio

8:13 AM.The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission says it will not re-open its inquiry into the CTV building collapse, despite fresh allegations against the building's construction manager. Audio

8:09 AM.In Afghanistan, nine women have been killed in a NATO air-strike in Laghman Province. Audio

7:56 AM.The South Otago town of Balclutha is in uproar about its swimming complex, which was meant to reopen at the beginning of this year but still has no date for completion. Audio

7:52 AM.Lawyers for the Royal family are preparing to go to court in France, seeking damages and an injunction against further publication of topless photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge. Audio

7:48 AM.Christchurch police say they've now spoken to both drivers involved in a fatal hit and run in the suburb of Hornby on Saturday night, and a man will appear in court this morning. Audio

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

7:42 AM.A police search and rescue team will decide this morning whether it is safe to send divers down to look for signs of a fishing boat missing off the coast of Fiordland. Audio

7:38 AM.Libyan authorities have made 50 arrests in connection with last week's deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. Audio

7:27 AM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says the differences of opinion among Maori will not alter the Government's approach to negotiating with iwi over water. Audio

7:23 AM.Cracks may already be appearing in Maori unity on water rights in the wake of two national hui last week. Audio

7:19 AM.A man will appear in the Porirua District Court this morning charged with killing 20-year-old Sean Strongman-Lintern near a bar in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington. Audio

7:15 AM.Opposition parties say The Prime Minister's continued support for the Act MP John Banks is becoming untenable. Audio

7:09 AM.Four soldiers fighting with the NATO-led alliance have been killed in another so called 'green on blue attack' insider attack in southern Afghanistan, bringing the total number of deaths at the… Read more Audio

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

6:27 AM.The Maori Council says iwi chairs need to do a better job of keeping hapu informed - because they feel excluded from top level talks about water; The embattled Rata Te Awhina Trust - which provides… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.Morning Rural News for 17 September 2012 Audio

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

6:14 AM.There have been mass protests in China with the fury directed at Japan. Audio

6:10 AM.Live streaming of court cases is being suggested as a way to improve coverage of court cases. Audio

6:00 AM.'Insider' attacks rising in Afghanistan, Opposition parties say defence of Banks no longer credible, Urgent action needed after Kapiti youth deaths, Maori unity over water rights in doubt, John Key's… Read more Audio