Morning Report for Wednesday 29 May 2013

8:55 AM.We've been remembering Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reaching the roof of the world - Mt Everest, 60 years ago today. Back home in New Zealand, the celebrations were much more down to earth. Audio

8:52 AM.The Department of Conservation says it's merging the teams that protect two of the country's most endangered birds to ensure the species are better off in the long-term. Audio

8:48 AM.A study has found despite the global financial crisis more money is being ploughed into research and development. Audio

8:45 AM.Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu says the tribe has not bought any shares in Mighty River Power - but it isn't ruling out the possibility of taking a stake in another state owned enterprise; A member of the… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.Britain and France have signalled they may choose to arm rebels in Syria before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in August. Audio

8:39 AM.The England cricket team has beaten New Zealand by 247 runs in the second Test at Headingley this morning, winning the series 2-nil. 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

8:25 AM.Sir Edmund Hillary's exclamation that he and Tenzing Norgay had "knocked the bastard off" with their Everest summit conquest, sixty years ago, has become the best known phrase of the expedition. Audio

8:21 AM.The worst of yesterday's early winter blast may be over, but the Transport Agency is warning motorists to remain watchful, as lingering ice and snow continue to cause problems. Audio

8:13 AM.Critics are comparing the government's food in schools policy to putting a sticking plaster on a gaping wound. Audio

8:09 AM.Seventeen Christchurch schools are on tenterhooks this morning as they wait for the Government to announce if they will close, or merge to form five bigger schools. Audio

7:56 AM.New research shows graduates with the highest opinions of themselves are often the lowest performing in the workplace. Audio

7:49 AM.An economic think tank is picking the Reserve Bank will not raise interest rates too early for fear of squashing the country's fragile economic recovery. Audio

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

7:41 AM.The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is reviewing its plan for oil spills for the first time since the container ship Rena ran aground off the Tauranga coastline. Audio

7:38 AM.Seventeen Christchurch schools will today find out the final decisions on whether they are to close or merge. Audio

7:25 AM.It was 60 years ago today that Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Audio

7:15 AM.The Mana Party says the less than 2 million dollars the government plans to spend on hungry school children is a pitance compared to what it's spending on bailing out failed finance companies and… Read more Audio

7:13 AM.Christchurch was blanketed by snow yesterday, with parts of Canterbury hit by some heavy falls. Audio

7:11 AM.Yesterday's polar blast may have moved through the country - but the after effects continue to linger, with freezing temperatures and major roads still affected by snow. Audio

7:08 AM.In Dunedin there are warnings of black ice, following yesterday's snow dump of up to 10 centimetres in the hill suburbs. Audio

6:50 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:39 AM.Hone Harawira has accused the Government's of spitting on the poor and ignoring child poverty with its food in schools programme. Audio

6:35 AM.Snow showers and bad weather continued to dog the country overnight, with heavy rain and wind cutting power to homes in Auckland, and major roads closed. Audio

6:27 AM.Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu says the tribe has not bought any shares in Mighty River Power - but it isn't ruling out the possibility of taking a stake in another state owned enterprise; A member of the… Read more Audio

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

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

6:16 AM.It's 60 years today since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norquay reached the summit of the world's highest mountain. Audio

6:13 AM.Seventeen Christchurch schools will today find out the final decisions on whether they are to close or merge. Audio

6:10 AM.A combination of snow showers and extreme weather are continuing to leave their mark across the country, with homes west and north of Auckland without power and major roads closed in both the North… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.Weather eases but road travel still affected in both islands, Commuters get to grips with icy roads in Dunedin, Update on Christchurch weather, Mana party ridicules govt food in schools policy… Read more Audio