Morning Report for Friday 3 May 2013

8:56 AM.Let's have a chat to our Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.Auckland's mayor is calling on businesses with links to the Pacific to contribute to a new fund to help the islands to better withstand cyclones and other natural disasters. Audio

8:48 AM.Family members say the former Maori Affairs Minister, Parekura Horomia, never forgot his family, inspite of his busy political role; And the people of Taranaki are paying tribute to Parekura Horomia… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Farmers and growers are being warned to be prepared for a changing climate and not to ignore warning signs, such as extreme dry spells. Audio

8:41 AM.The veteran activist and Mana party co-vice president, John Minto, has thrown his hat into the Auckland mayoralty race despite saying he has no personal ambition to be mayor. Audio

8:36 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:31 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:27 AM.In the age of outsourcing, a British company is taking an unusual approach to providing 24-hour-a-day services. Audio

8:23 AM.Rural commmunities and senior citizens are likely to be some of the hardest hit if New Zealand Post reduces its mail deliveries to just three days a week from six. Audio

8:19 AM.Despite criticism by civil libertarians that their actions were 'over the top,' the Police Association doubts there were any other options for officers who both shot and tasered a man in Porirua… Read more Audio

8:15 AM.About two thousand mourners will tomorrow farewell the Labour Party MP and former Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia. Audio

8:11 AM.We are speaking with the survivor of another maritime tragedy in Foveaux Strait. Audio

8:09 AM.A report into the sinking of the fishing vessel, Easy Rider, says the boat capsized when it sailed overloaded and in rough seas. Audio

7:56 AM.On the 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing's ascent, one of the Hstry.org websites founders Steven Chiu, says it is live tweeting the heroic climb step by step, in 140 characters or less. Audio

7:52 AM.Police fronted up to public meetings last night in two Northland communities worried by youth crime - and a shrinking police presence. Audio

7:48 AM.New Zealand Post says it will try to cut costs and save money but it may still need a Government bail out. Audio

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

7:40 AM.About two thousand mourners will tomorrow farewell the Labour Party MP and former Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia. Audio

7:36 AM.The New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties says it is concerned about the police using the shooting of an armed man in Wellington as a success story for their new weapons policy. Audio

7:27 AM.Investors in the failed finance company, Aorangi Securities, say they are relieved they'll get their money back, but are concerned about how long it will take and whether there will be any interest to… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.Police investigating the fatal shooting of road worker George Taiaroa in the central North Island say he was the innocent victim of what appears to be a misguided motive, which would 'appall most New… Read more Audio

7:18 AM.It's been a rough ride for the National-led Government. Audio

7:14 AM.The Chief Investigator of Accidents, Captain Tim Burfoot says the Easy Rider sinking is one of the worst cases he's been involved with. Audio

7:09 AM.An unqualified skipper, an overloaded vessel that should not have been carrying passengers, a lack of life jackets, and crew members and passengers who had been taking cannabis and drinking were all… Read more Audio

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

6:41 AM.The Government's plans to sell a 49 percent stake in the energy company has been plagued by hurdles, including challenges over water rights, uncertainty over the future of the Bluff aluminium smelter… Read more Audio

6:38 AM.A report into the sinking of the fishing vessel, Easy Rider in Foveaux Strait in March last year, says the boat capsized because it was overloaded, set sail in rough seas and the captain was… Read more Audio

6:28 AM.Family members say the former Maori Affairs Minister, Parekura Horomia, never forgot his family, in spite of his busy political role; The people of Taranaki are paying tribute to Parekura Horomia… Read more Audio

6:23 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

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

6:15 AM.New Zealand Post is seeking Government support to ensure its future viability, including encouraging government agencies and departments to use its new digital services. Audio

6:00 AM.A damning report into the sinking of the Easy Rider fishing boat finds a range of critical errors. Police investigating the shooting death of roadworker George Taiaroa search a Taranaki property and… Read more Audio