Morning Report for Friday 31 May 2013

8:56 AM.Australian correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.Ever fancied yourself as a shin-kicker? Audio

8:45 AM.The Maori Council says two newspaper cartoons about hungry students makes fun at the expense of children and are an example of institutional racism; A financial services firm says the option for… Read more Audio

8:38 AM.The Rail and Maritime Transport Union is calling for a new investigation into a toxic gas leak in the Kaimai Tunnel, after learning the government's High Hazards Unit has said KiwiRail's own… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:26 AM.A Whangarei principal who complained this week about the lack of support in dealing with violent pupils, says the agencies involved are suddenly eager to help. Audio

8:22 AM.A former Lombard investor, who lost about one quarter of his retirement savings, says the penalties on directors are 'chicken feed' and that Sir Douglas Graham should relinquish his knighthood… Read more Audio

8:15 AM.Cartoons in daily newspapers are supposed to make us laugh, and they're also supposed to be provocative. Audio

8:10 AM.Planning experts say Auckland's 30-year plan is not aggressive enough, and that it encourages urban sprawl that will 'drain wallets' and make the city less livable by world standards. Audio

7:56 AM.The Venice Biennale is about to open to the public, as the final days of the preview season draw to a close. Audio

7:51 AM.Christchurch residents are pouring cold water on the Earthquake Recovery Minister's efforts to celebrate post-quake recovery in the city. Audio

7:46 AM.Interest rates are expected to remain low for the immediate future but getting a mortgage could become more difficult. Audio

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

7:38 AM.The war of words is hotting up between the Green Party and National, with the Greens co-leader, Russel Norman, saying the Prime Minister, John Key, has become divisive. Audio

7:33 AM.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has told KiwiRail its investigation into workers being exposed to toxic gas fumes in the Kaimai Tunnel was inadequate. Audio

7:23 AM.One of the accused involved in the death of a soldier on a London street last week has appeared in court, charged with his murder. Audio

7:23 AM.Two cartoonists are criticising a fellow artist's work as offensive and inaccurate, but say he has a right to publish his cartoons nonetheless. Audio

7:20 AM.The former National Government justice minister, Sir Douglas Graham, and three other former directors of the collapsed finance company Lombard Finance could be sentenced to home detention. Audio

7:14 AM.Auckland Mayor Len Brown. Audio

7:10 AM.The Auckland Council says there will be changes to the city's thirty year growth plan, following months of public consultation which winds up today. Audio

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

6:33 AM.The Auckland Council says there will be changes to the city's thirty year growth plan, following months of public consultation on a draft plan which winds up today. Audio

6:27 AM.The Maori Council says two newspaper cartoons about hungry students makes fun at the expense of children and are an example of institutional racism; A financial services firm says the option for… Read more Audio

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

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

6:13 AM.Taranaki's Yarrow Stadium is changing owners. It comes at the same time as Taranaki Rugby contemplates ending an 18-year-connection with the Hurricanes and instead joining the Chiefs franchise. Audio

6:11 AM.Three months of public consultation on a 30- year plan for the future of Auckland winds up today and the council says changes will be made to the draft document. Audio

6:00 AM.Change mooted as feedback ends on Auckland's Unitary Plan, Mayor Len Brown talks about plan for Auckland, Sir Douglas Graham could get home detention, lose knighthood and Cartoonists criticise cartoon… Read more Audio