Morning Report for Monday 21 December 2015

8:56 AM.Time to chat to our Melbourne correspondent Phil Kafcaloudes. Audio

8:53 AM.A science-mad New Plymouth Girls' High student is shooting for the stars but needs a hand up to get there. Audio

8:49 AM.Carbon traders say the global climate deal reached in Paris will force New Zealand to actually cut emissions rather than just buy its way out of trouble. Audio

8:41 AM.The Government has increased the amount of cash it will spend providing fruit to students in low decile schools. Audio

8:37 AM.As we have been reporting this morning, a free trade deal reached in Kenya over the weekend, is being touted as a significant development for the World Trade Organisation. Audio

8:31 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:28 AM.It's been a Wellington landmark for more than a century but in a few weeks Kirkcaldie & Stains will shut up shop for good. Audio

8:14 AM.Rampant house prices have dominated headlines this year and will surely feature in barbecue talk this summer. Audio

8:11 AM.Lawyers representing two brothers found NOT guilty in New Zealand's first people trafficking trial say Immigration officials have been taken for a ride by the complainants in the case. Audio

8:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:56 AM.The English language is mutating faster than at any point in history thanks in large part to digital communications including social media. Audio

7:53 AM.It's the thought that counts with Christmas presents, but some of the gifts that may be under your tree this year, should come with health warnings. Audio

7:51 AM.Holiday makers will be gearing up for hot temperatures across the country today, with the potential to break a few records on the South Island's east coast. Audio

7:46 AM.New Zealand are just 47 runs away from wrapping up the test cricket series against Sri Lanka. Audio

7:43 AM.Scientists say the country's biodiversity will keep going backwards unless the Department of Conservation gets a much needed funding boost. Audio

7:39 AM.Questions have been raised about Prime Minister John Key's position as an ambassador for the anti violence charity White Ribbon after his involvement in jokes - referencing rape - on a music radio… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.The World Trade Organisation is showing signs of life delivering what dairy farmers are welcoming as an early Christmas present. Audio

7:28 AM.With thoughts turning to Christmas turkeys roasting in the oven or chicken sizzling on backyard barbecues, the poultry industry is under pressure to clean up its act in a bid to reduce campylobacter… Read more Audio

7:21 AM.The way New Zealand Police conduct investigations in politically-charged cases is again under scrutiny in the aftermath of the Dirty Politics affair. Audio

7:18 AM.A free trade agreement being touted as 'significant' will bring little change for this country's biggest export earner. Audio

7:15 AM.The Met Service is signalling a sweltering day is ahead for those in the Marlborough region. Audio

7:10 AM.New Zealand's first people trafficking trial has ended with NOT guilty verdicts. Audio

7:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:58 AM.Wall Street fell as slumping oil prices raised concerns about slower global growth. Audio

6:57 AM.On the economic calendar we're just about at the end of it ... International Travel and Migration numbers for November and the Westpac consumer confidence survey today. Audio

6:55 AM.Over to Australia now... where the government's promise of returning its budget to surplus is looking increasingly unachievable after a further major blowout in the deficit. Audio

6:54 AM.The prices for industrial property are rising in all of the main centres, as property investors chase improving yields, not seen since the global financial crisis. Audio

6:53 AM.The strong rise in business confidence this month leading into the festive season is expected to carry through into the year ahead. Audio

6:51 AM.One of the star performers of the share market this year has been specialist milk and infant formula maker A2 Milk. Audio

6:49 AM.The energy company, Trustpower, is confident a proposed demerger will bring more value to shareholders. Audio

6:42 AM.A free trade deal reached in Kenya over the weekend is being welcomed as a significant development. Audio

6:40 AM.New Zealand's first ever people trafficking prosecution failed when a jury yesterday acquitted two men under charges brought under the Immigration Act. Audio

6:26 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:21 AM.Our business editor, Gyles Beckford, is in now with what's happening in the financial world.... first up Trustpower is looking to split itself in two? Audio

6:16 AM.An avalanche in the world's most northerly town has left two dead, including one child. Audio

6:13 AM.The future of the World Trade Organisation is being questioned with poverty campaigners accusing it of failing to do its job. Audio

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

6:00 AM.New Zealands first ever people trafficking trial ends with a not guilty verdict. Firefighters cross their fingers as Marlborough braces for the hottest day in more than 70 years and the WTO finally… Read more Audio