Morning Report for Thursday 28 November 2013

8:57 AM.Radio New Zealand National presenter and host of NZ's top rating morning news programme, Geoff Robinson, is to retire in April next year after a broadcasting career spanning more than 40 years. Audio

8:54 AM.Two male Sumatran tigers will take a North Island road trip in search of love today - or a mate, at least. Audio

8:50 AM.A Maori shareholder in the mobile phone company 2degrees is perplexed as to why the government ignored the Waitangi Tribunal's recommendation to allocate a portion of radio spectrum to Maori; A review… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.Signs of depression and extreme stress are becoming evident in small Marlborough communities after the Cook Strait earthquakes earlier this year. Audio

8:48 AM.The emergency due to a gas leak in Kamo in Northland has been called off as the situation has been brought under control. Audio

8:42 AM.The Pope has released his plan for a massive overhaul of the Catholic Church. Audio

8:38 AM.Primary and intermediate students continue to cause concern with their performance in core subjects, with science identified as a particular problem area. 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.The Green Party leadership contender David Hay says the party should be challenging Labour as the major centre left opposition. Audio

8:23 AM.An evacuation has begun in Whangarei because of a gas leak. Audio

8:20 AM.Aucklanders could find their footpaths or council facilities built and maintained by private firms as the city's mayor floats the idea of the private sector playing a bigger part in local government. Audio

8:16 AM.The Hamilton City Council is to make its decision today on whether to reintroduce fluoride into the city's water system. Audio

8:14 AM.Fonterra says dairy farmers need to up their game when it comes to sustainability. Audio

8:09 AM.An anti-mining protest will close State Highway One north of Whangarei to all traffic except emergency vehicles for two hours this morning. Audio

7:56 AM.The Royal Society says New Zealand's anti-intellectual attitude is a thing of the past. Audio

7:52 AM.Protesters in Thailand have targeted more official buildings in their attempt to cripple the government. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:37 AM.The Italian Senate has expelled Silvio Berlusconi from Parliament following his conviction for tax fraud, in what the centre-right leader called a day of mourning for Italian democracy. Audio

7:27 AM.The Finance Minister Bill English says the government can only do so much to better the lot of New Zealanders living across the Tasman. Audio

7:22 AM.Crown lawyers will go to court today to fight a ruling that search warrants used to raid the internet mogul Kim Dotcom's house were unlawful. Audio

7:21 AM.The United States has pledged support for Japan in its growing dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Audio

7:17 AM.The Education Minister, Hekia Parata defends the use of national standards. Audio

7:14 AM.A second report in two days has highlighted concerns about primary and intermediate students' performance in key subjects. Audio

7:09 AM.An anti-mining protest north of Whangarei will close State Highway One to all traffic except emergency vehicles this morning. Audio

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

6:41 AM.New research says the national standards in reading, writing and maths are doing more harm than good and recommends reporting school results should stop. Audio

6:37 AM.An anti-mining protest north of Whangarei will close State Highway One to all traffic except emergency vehicles this morning. Audio

6:27 AM.A review of health services on the East Coast has heard Treaty settlement money should not be used to fund hospitals and clinics; A Maori shareholder in the mobile phone company 2degrees is perplexed… 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.The candidates vying for the Christchurch East seat couldn't resist firing barbs at the absent National Party contender at a public debate in the electorate last night. Audio

6:11 AM.Aucklanders could find private companies building and maintaining their footpaths or public swimming pools with the mayor Len Brown suggesting there could be a bigger role for the private sector in… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.Northland anti-mining groups to blockade SH1; Research says school national standards doing more harm than good; Education Minister defends National Standards; Crown to argue Dotcom search warrants… Read more Audio