Morning Report for Monday 27 January 2014

8:56 AM.The Australian of the year. Audio

8:52 AM.Tall ships, waka ama, more than 20 vintage tugboats are just some of the 500 vessels that will take to the Auckland Harbour this morning for the annual Anniversary Day regatta. Audio

8:48 AM.The central Hawke's Bay mayor, Peter Butler, has apologised to Ngati Kahungunu - who's been left offended by comments he made about the tribe's involvement over the Ruataniwha Dam proposal; Ratana… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.This week, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is to tour and perform in the United States for the first time in over 20 years. Audio

8:40 AM.The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is promising quality over quantity as the yearling sales prepare for orders at Karaka in south Auckland today. Audio

8:36 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:29 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:24 AM.A couple from the small west coast town of Runanga have lost the last of their four sons - all of them killed in tragic circumstances. Audio

8:22 AM.CEO of Wellington Electricity, Greg Skelton, defends company's communication. Audio

8:17 AM.A group of central Wellington retailers and residents are furious, after scheduled maintenance left them without electricity for hours on a busy Sunday. Audio

8:13 AM.The Greens 'hub' concept is not new to New Zealand with organisations like the Youth Hub in Christchurch already aiming to provide a one-stop shop for young people there. Audio

8:09 AM.The Green Party is dismissing claims from National that plans to implement free lunches and after-school care are copycat policies. Audio

7:57 AM.A second parent is taking a complaint to the Human Rights Commission about an Auckland state primary school's Christian education classes. Audio

7:53 AM.The new school year starts this week and families are facing back to school costs like uniforms, donations, and fees for materials used in some subjects. Audio

7:51 AM.Peace talks between the rebel forces and the Syrian government have stalled. Journalist Sakhr Al-Makhadhi is in Geneva for the talks. Audio

7:46 AM.The race for the Maori vote has begun, with politicians making their annual appearances at Ratana Pa where the annual celebrations took place over the past week. Audio

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

7:39 AM.The new world number three Stanislas Wawrinka has pulled off a major upset to win his first grand slam tennis final at the Australian Open last night. Audio

7:36 AM.No more Queensland fruit flies were found in Whangarei over the weekend but it is still too early for authorities to rule out the chance they will be found in greater numbers. Audio

7:27 AM.Later today the New Zealand teenager will find out if she has won at the Grammys. Audio

7:23 AM.A week on from the 6.2 magnitude earthquake which rocked the lower North Island, the Earthquake Commission says the number of claims have topped the 1000 mark with numbers still rising. Audio

7:18 AM.A Dunedin rescue helicopter was involved in a dramatic rescue on Friday night after a New Zealand fisheries observer lost part of his arm in an accident on board a foreign fishing boat. Audio

7:14 AM.Otago University politics lecturer, Bryce Edwards, and the former Labour MP and ACT leader, Richard Prebble. Audio

7:09 AM.Our political editor Brent Edwards looks at the Green Party's education policy launch yesterday and the government's response. Audio

6:47 AM.Will the Reserve bank raise interest rates this week?; Genesis to mothball another of its Huntly coal-fired generators; and Wall st could fall again. Audio

6:38 AM.The Greens have proposed clustering health, welfare and other support services in community hubs in low-decile schools. Audio

6:27 AM.The central Hawke's Bay mayor, Peter Butler, has apologised to Ngati Kahungunu - who's been left offended by comments he made about the tribe's involvement over the Ruataniwha Dam proposal; Ratana… Read more Audio

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

6:17 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:11 AM.The Maori Party is attempting to reassert itself as an independent political force, as it fights for its political survival. Audio

6:00 AM.Govt quick to dismiss Green education policy; Political commentators discuss expectations for Cunliffe speech; Otago helicopter rescues NZ man from foreign fishing ship; A week on from Eketahuna… Read more Audio