Morning Report for Monday 4 February 2013

8:57 AM.The latest from the Lucky Country. Audio

8:55 AM.Super Bowl - America's most watched sporting event - kicks off later today in New Orleans, with the Baltimore Ravens facing the San Francisco 49'ers. Audio

8:52 AM.A group of physicists are growing snowflakes in an attempt to understand why the ice crystals form such intricate and diverse patterns. Audio

8:48 AM.The police have been reminded by the Waitangi Marae that Maori wardens are the main group to patrol the pa; The Waitangi Tribunal is asking the Government to step in and fund hearings into nearly 400… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.The attacks began at the same time the Times published a story about the family wealth of China's premier, Wen Jiabao and the newspaper's security experts say the attacks show similarities to previous… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.A programme that takes children from the poorest communities and turns them into musicians - and good citizens - is coming to Northland. 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 find has led to calls to make the north-west Marlborough Sounds' island predator-free to ensure the survival of the critically endangered species. Audio

8:23 AM.The Hong Kong government has been forced to bring in urgent measures to combat shortages of foreign infant milk powder because of panic buying. Audio

8:18 AM.A survey of farmers' confidence shows meat and wool farmers are expecting a bleak year, as dry weather and the high New Zealand dollar hurts their profits. Audio

8:13 AM.A senior doctors' union is denying its warnings about chronic staff shortages are a shrewd tactic linked to pay talks that begin this week. Audio

8:09 AM.Ngapuhi trustees are trying to oust the activist, Titewhai Harawira, from her self-appointed role as the kuia who escorts diginitaries - including the Prime Minister - onto the lower marae at… Read more Audio

7:57 AM.A respite is expected today for most of the country from the hot dry weather of late, but it's due to improve again in time for Waitangi Day. Audio

7:53 AM.Pacific language preschools are struggling financially because more and more Pacific parents can't afford to pay fees. Audio

7:49 AM.Auckland has a new public transport service this morning with millions of dollars spent creating a ferry line to the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour. Audio

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

7:39 AM.Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of trying to "destabilise" his country. We hear from the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon and are joined by our correspondent Ruth… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.The Fire Service says homeowners may end up paying higher insurance levies if a High Court ruling is allowed to stand. Audio

7:27 AM.Two years on from the spectacular crash of Allan Hubbard's array of investment companies, the town's perceptions of the man have changed dramatically. Audio

7:22 AM.The police investigating the homicide of a man found burnt to death in Auckland will continue their forensic examination of his car today. Audio

7:18 AM.The union representing senior doctors says nothing is being done to fix New Zealand's chronic shortage of specialists - and hospitals could soon become unsafe. Audio

7:14 AM.Just two months after David Shearer put his leadership to the test, the Labour Party leader is seeking to have it endorsed by Labour MP's today. Political editor Brent Edwards with comment before the… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.A Ngapuhi leader, Kingi Taurua, says the activist Titewhai Harawira needs to step aside and let other kuia, who do the actual work at Te Ti Marae, have the honour of escorting the Prime Minister. Audio

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

6:37 AM.Ngapuhi kaiarahi tire of Titewhai Harawira assuming the role of kuia at Waitangi while others defend the ageing activist's claim. Audio

6:27 AM.The police have been reminded by the Waitangi Marae that Maori wardens are the main group to patrol the pa; The Waitangi Tribunal is asking the Government to step in and fund hearings into nearly 400… Read more Audio

6:21 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

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

6:14 AM.Cubans are voting on a slate of candidates for parliament in the second stage of an electoral process that culminates later this month. Audio

6:00 AM.Titewhai Harawira challenged as kuia for Waitangi Day Prime Ministerial escort role; Labour's David Shearer expects plain sailing today for his leadership endorsement by his party's MP's; senior… Read more Audio