Morning Report for Monday 17 December 2012

8:58 AM.Time to chat to our Melbourne correspondent Phil Kafcaloudes. Audio

8:54 AM.Oamaru is promising a huge year-long party to celebrate its 150th birthday. Audio

8:50 AM.A collective of Waikato hapu has suggested it could take a separate legal case over the Crown's treatment of the Treaty of Waitangi in the water claims battle; A group representing lawyers and judges… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.Analysts say if the media company, Fairfax, has sold Trade Me, it is a good move to help reduce company debt. Audio

8:44 AM.The annual Realise the Dream awards have been held in Wellington to celebrate the achievements of the country's top 20 science students. Audio

8:39 AM.The Maori Party is forming a succession plan for the co-leadership after Tariana Turia confirmed she will resign from Parliament in 2014. 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

8:23 AM.In the latest developments a Catholic church not far from the school was evacuated a short while ago because of a bomb threat received during services. Audio

8:20 AM.The grieving people of Newtown in Connecticut, soon to be joined by President Barack Obama, have poured into churches to pray for the children and adults who died in one of the worst ever US shooting… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.New Zealand's Samoan MPs say they're shocked and saddened following the devastation caused in Samoa by Cyclone Evan. Audio

8:13 AM.In Samoa, the cleanup from cyclone Evan will continue today, as authorities reconnect power and water services. Audio

8:09 AM.The full force of Tropical Cyclone Evan is expected to hit Fiji at midday. Audio

7:55 AM.There is a new wildlife sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf, Rotoroa Island. Audio

7:51 AM.A number of truancy officers say they have, in their words, been "absolutely shafted" by the Ministry of Education in its overhaul of the service. Audio

7:46 AM.The Government is facing a massive bill for repairing and replacing school buildings in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Audio

7:43 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.The death of a young Ashburton mother has been ruled a homicide, but police say they're puzzled by the case. Audio

7:38 AM.Several Democratic lawmakers called for a new push for U.S. gun restrictions on Sunday, including a ban on military-style assault weapons. Audio

7:35 AM.Following the mass shooting in Connecticut the debate over the availability of firearms has been renewed not just in America but also here. Audio

7:23 AM.Teachers and other school staff have been hailed as heroes in the wake of Friday's massacre of 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Audio

7:20 AM.A search for eight missing fishermen off the Samoan coast has resumed this morning. Audio

7:16 AM.In Samoa, the true extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Evan is beginning to be revealed. Audio

7:14 AM.People flying back from Fiji are describing preparations for Cyclone Evan underway in Fiji. Audio

7:12 AM.For an update on the situation in Fiji , we're joined by Amat Sangh, a cyclone forecaster for the Fiji Meterological Service. Audio

7:09 AM.In the next few hours tropical cyclone Evan will hit the northern and western parts of Fiji, three days after it killed four people and caused widespread devastation in Samoa. Audio

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

6:38 AM.In Samoa, the true extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Evan is beginning to be revealed. Audio

6:35 AM.New Zealanders in Fiji are being urged to keep in touch with family at home, as the worst of Cyclone Evan approaches. Audio

6:27 AM.A collective of Waikato hapu has suggested it could take a separate legal case over the Crown's treatment of the Treaty of Waitangi in the water claims battle; Ngai Tuhoe iwi says being able to take… Read more Audio

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

6:17 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:15 AM.A number of truancy officers face an uncertain future and could lose their jobs as a result of a major restructuring of the service. Audio

6:10 AM.In Samoa, the true extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Evan is beginning to be revealed. Audio

6:00 AM.Cyclone Evan bears down on Fiji, Fiji met services tracks pending cyclone, Fiji travellers describe storm preparations, True extent of damage in Samoa revealed, Airforce Orion to continue searching… Read more Audio