Morning Report for Monday 22 December 2014

8:57 AM.Melbourne correspondent Phil Kafcaloudes. Audio

8:55 AM.New Zealand cricket captain Brendon McCullum will be sent back down the batting order in the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka. Audio

8:52 AM.A lawyer representing Maori military veterans in their quest for compensation says the Government should acknowledge all Maori who fought in battles and not just those that were for the Crown. A Far… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.A website designed to show swimmers whether beaches are safe for swimming has gone online, and it shows 14 percent of beaches are high risk. Audio

8:45 AM.While many people are rushing to finish off Christmas shopping, many families face heading into the new year laden with debt after buying goods at exorbitant prices from mobile trucks. Audio

8:41 AM.Auckland Council will consider outlawing smoking at beaches, parks and other public places sooner than expected. Audio

8:35 AM.The Auckland City footballers are on their way home, still celebrating a big pay day after finishing third at the Club World Cup in Morocco. Audio

8:32 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:22 AM.The Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce speaks with Susie Ferguson. Audio

8:15 AM.Sky City has revealed the cost of its controversial international convention centre in Auckland has blown out to as much as 530 million dollars - 128 million more than the agreed price. Audio

8:05 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:55 AM.Brewers say their product is unfairly targeted in a new alcohol-harm campaign which suggests people steer clear of beer. Audio

7:47 AM.Phillip Smith's lawyer is Tony Ellis speaks with Susie Ferguson. Audio

7:45 AM.The escape of the convicted murderer, kidnapper and sex offender Philip Smith is continuing to reverberate through the Department of Corrections. Audio

7:40 AM.One in seven beaches monitored for water quality is considered high risk for swimming. Audio

7:35 AM.As the Auckland City footballers head home from their multi million dollar payday at the Club World Championship, one New Zealand veteran is still shaking his head after sharing the podium with two of… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.Three days after the killing of eight children, the far north Queensland city of Cairns remains in shock, with the mother of seven of the youngsters now charged with murder. Audio

7:20 AM.There has been universal condemnation of the shooting of two New York police officers at the weekend. Audio

7:14 AM.Labour's economic development spokesperson, David Clark, speaks with Susie Ferguson. Audio

7:11 AM.The country's biggest government department is under fire on two fronts this morning. Audio

7:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:59 AM.New Zealand's Top 50 Index gained 9 points to 5528. Audio

6:55 AM.The Australian government faces an increasing budget challenge as plunging commodity prices put a large dent in revenues. Audio

6:54 AM.An economist says Sir Peter Jackson's hobbit movies may be contributing to rising tourism. Audio

6:51 AM.The telecommunications commissioner says he wants to give the industry as much certainty on new copper-line pricing as soon as possible, but he's making no promises. Audio

6:49 AM.The consortium led by businessman Mark Stewart has finally got the regulatory green light to complete the takeover of Acurity Health. Audio

6:46 AM.The New Zealand dollar is threatening to overtake its previous post-1985 float high against the Australian dollar. Audio

6:39 AM.The State Services Commission has published a scathing report on the performance of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Audio

6:26 AM.A Far North iwi leader says he feels he's fulfilled the aspirations of kaumatua, following the purchase of their ancestral maunga. Northland's Regional Council is set to make some weighty decisions… Read more Audio

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

6:20 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:14 AM.The Auckland City football team is about to board a plane to return home after securing a totally unexpected third place in the Football Club World Cup in Morocco. Audio

6:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:00 AM.Super ministry slated in official review, New York expresses disgust, condemnation following fatal attacks on two police officers, Cairns community in mourning following mass killing, New website… Read more Audio