Morning Report for Wednesday 4 September 2013

8:55 AM.Li Na is through to the US Tennis Open semi-finals in New York, after a hard fought match against Ekaterina Makarova. Audio

8:51 AM.It seems these days you can't go past more than a handful of shops without coming across a cafe - and that appears to be feeding New Zealand's caffeine addiction. Audio

8:47 AM.A Waikato iwi authority says it's struggling to supply the Government with a list of sites of cultural significance; The Government says it is committed to boosting Maori literacy achievement from… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.It was standing room only in Whangarei's Exhibition Hall last night for a grand unveiling of the city's multitude of mayoral candidates. Audio

8:39 AM.Investor concern about worsening current account deficits has raised questions about whether foreigners will continue to support the country's debt-laden lifestyle. 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

8:25 AM.The Americas Cup holders Oracle will be docked two points and four crew members have been banned from taking part in the final with Team New Zealand. Audio

8:19 AM.Senior Republican politicians have started voicing their support for US military action against Syria. Audio

8:09 AM.Thousands of property owners in Christchurch are still waiting to settle insurance claims for quake damage three years after Canterbury's first major quake Audio

7:53 AM.The Government is on the hunt for a buyer for the yet to be built Christchurch convention centre precinct. Audio

7:48 AM.The Australian Labor Party fears it could lose more than half of the seats it holds in Sydney in this weekend's general election. Audio

7:46 AM.The Prime Minister, John Key, has challenged the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, to provide evidence to back his claim that the SIS carried out illegal raids on Fiji citizens last year. Audio

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

7:38 AM.The contenders for the Labour leadership focused on the Gisborne to Napier rail line, the proposed Ruataniwha Dam and even the Ranfurly Shield during the leadership candidates meeting in Hawke's Bay… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.There's been a call to action on climate change, with the opening of the 44th Pacific Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands. Audio

7:25 AM.An Australian mine safety expert agrees with Solid Energy that getting into the main part of the Pike River coal mine to recover bodies would be very difficult. Audio

7:19 AM.In a huge vote of confidence for Barack Obama, John Boehner, the Speaker of the House and one of the most senior Republican politicians has come out in support of military action against Syria. Audio

7:13 AM.An official report into National Standards has given the system a bad grade. Audio

7:09 AM.Three years on from Canterbury's first major quake, new figures show claims on more than 5 thousand damaged properties have not been settled. Audio

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

6:41 AM.The MetService is continuing to warn of severe weather today, despite forecast snow not faling in the South Island yet. Audio

6:27 AM.A Waikato iwi authority says it's struggling to supply the Government with a list of sites of cultural significance; The Government says it is committed to boosting Maori literacy achievement from… Read more Audio

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

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

6:14 AM.A Government report card into the petroleum and minerals industry says oil production fell 13 percent in 2012, reaching a five-year low. Audio

6:11 AM.The Pike River families are welcoming the cabinet go ahead to enter the Pike River Mine. Audio

6:00 AM.Three years on from the first major Canterbury quake - insurance claims for five thousand severely quake damaged properties are yet to be settled. Key Congressional leaders swing behind President… Read more Audio