Morning Report for Friday 8 March 2013

8:55 AM.Let's have a chat to our Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.The biggest celebration of Pacific culture in the country is getting even bigger - with the launch of an expanded Pasifika Festival in Auckland tomorrow. Audio

8:48 AM.A researcher at Victoria University who specialises in Maori in Australia says Maori migrants may be the first ones to lose their jobs if there's a downturn in the Australian economy; A Northland iwi… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Many MPs say they'd like to see the parliamentary term extended from three to four years, but they hasten to add any such change would be up to the public. Audio

8:41 AM.It's slimey, sometimes quite smelly, and can smother beaches when it's in full bloom. Audio

8:39 AM.As we reported in the news, the rescue of a German woman who fell into a crevasse above the Fox Glacier yesterday is underway. Audio

8:36 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.Uncertainty over funding is causing stress for Ngapuhi land claimants as they gear up for Waitangi Tribunal hearings. Audio

8:20 AM.A private school principal says the Government's charter school draft agreement is well targeted for children who are otherwise not succeeding. Audio

8:14 AM.The Government plans to make it easier for New Zealand companies to win public sector contracts. Audio

8:09 AM.Labour says there are 389 million reasons why there should be a full select committee inquiry into the financial mismanagement of Solid Energy. Audio

7:56 AM.The Auckland Arts Festival has begun with a bang. Audio

7:52 AM.The Government plans to make it easier for New Zealand companies to win public sector contracts. Audio

7:49 AM.The Property Council says New Zealanders will have to snap out of the belief the country can develop great cities without the need for foreign investment. Audio

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

7:41 AM.Many households are taking another hit in the pocket, as power companies continue to put their prices up. Audio

7:37 AM.An accident on the southern motorway reduced Auckland traffic to a snails pace last night. Audio

7:26 AM.The New Zealand cricketers couldn't have asked for a better start against England in the first Test in Dunedin, dismissing the visitors for just 167 runs. Audio

7:19 AM.We asked Don Elder and Solid Energy's chair Mark Ford to be interviewed this morning. They didn't return our calls. Audio

7:13 AM.Miners and contractors hurt by Solid Energy's financial mismanagement are astounded the company's chief executive is still being paid his full salary but hasn't had to turn up to Parliament to answer… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.A rescue operation is under way on the West Coast for a German tourist who fell more than ten metres into a crevasse above Fox Glacier yesterday afternoon. Audio

6:46 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:41 AM.Australia's National Rugby League has assured fans the Cronulla Sharks will play in their opening round match despite on-going doping allegations. Audio

6:36 AM.The chairman of Solid Energy, Mark Ford, says Don Elder, while no longer Chief Executive, is at home on full pay because he still needs access to Dr Elder and his past knowledge of the company. Audio

6:27 AM.A researcher at Victoria University who specialises in Maori in Australia says Maori migrants may be the first ones to lose their jobs if there's a downturn in the Australian economy; A Northland iwi… Read more Audio

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

6:16 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:10 AM.The Automobile Association has again urged oil companies to drop petrol prices by 4 cents a litre, citing cheaper commodity prices. Audio

6:00 AM.The scramble to save a tourist trapped in a crevasse above the Fox Glacier. Dismay and anger at former Solid Energy boss Don Elder not turning up to answer questions at Parliament and the Black Caps… Read more Audio