Morning Report for Friday 24 January 2014

8:57 AM.The latest from Australia with RNZ Canberra correspondent. Audio

8:52 AM.Top businesses are being urged to up their game to encourage more mothers to return to work to boost the country's economic growth. Audio

8:48 AM.The Ratana church says the focus of its annual celebrations must not stray from the birth of its founder, to politics; A Tairawhiti tribe wants waste water in Gisborne to be dumped on golf courses and… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.There has been much publicity recently about the dangers faced by logging crews in New Zealand. Audio

8:41 AM.Three of the four finalists have been found at the Australian tennis Open in Melbourne. Audio

8:38 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.South Sudan's government and rebels have signed a ceasefire agreement to end the fighting that brought Africa's newest nation to the brink of civil war. Audio

8:21 AM.The Maori Party is facing particular pressure on its annual trip to Ratana Pa this weekend, with a new co-leader set to be chosen before the election. Audio

8:17 AM.No more Queensland fruit flies have been found in traps overnight around Whangarei. Audio

8:15 AM.The major criticism from Opposition parties is that the scheme does nothing to tackle child poverty and its negative impact on learning outcomes. Audio

8:09 AM.The Finance Minister, Bill English, says he has been gathering some valuable ideas for New Zealand at the world economic forum currently underway at Davos in Switzerland. Audio

7:57 AM.Fears are growing that Formula One racer, Michael Schumacher, may never recover from a skiing accident last month. Audio

7:53 AM.A New Zealand woman has been found guilty of importing two million dollars worth of methamphetamine and heroin into Australia. Audio

7:50 AM.Thirteen men have been arrested in India, following the gang rape of a woman on the orders of an unofficial village court. Audio

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

7:40 AM.A government storage facility containing geological samples worth billions of dollars could be severely damaged if a large earthquake were to strike. Audio

7:38 AM.Despite the prospect of higher interest rates, consumer confidence has hit a seven year high and manufacturing activity has increased for the 15th consecutive month. Audio

7:25 AM.National believes its new education policy will not only be good for education, but will also be a vote-winner at this year's election. Audio

7:21 AM.No more Queensland fruit flies have been found in traps overnight around Whangarei. Audio

7:17 AM.The leaders of the Labour, National, Green and Maori Parties will travel to Ratana Pa near Whanganui today, vying for the Maori vote. Audio

7:12 AM.The education sector reforms over-haul has been widely welcomed but has also drawn some criticism for not addressing hurdles to learning such as poverty. Audio

7:09 AM.It looks like the government has hit a home run with its education sector reforms which create high-paid jobs for the best teachers and principals. Audio

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

6:40 AM.Politicians are making their annual pilgrimage to Ratana Pa, near Whanganui today for the event which normally marks the beginning of the political year. Audio

6:37 AM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says he believes the government's new policy for top teachers and principals will not only be good for education, but will also be a vote-winner at this year's election. Audio

6:27 AM.The Ratana church says the focus of its annual celebrations must not stray from the birth of its founder, to politics; A Tairawhiti tribe wants waste water in Gisborne to be dumped on golf courses and… Read more Audio

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

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

6:11 AM.Education experts have reacted warmly to the government's plans for new teaching structures, but say broader issues like poverty and children's health also need to be tackled. Audio

6:00 AM.Teachers, principals welcome new roles; New policy not addressing underlying problem - principal; Labour is vying for all seven Maori seats; Queensland fruitfly in Whangarei; John Key says education… Read more Audio