Morning Report for Thursday 18 February 2016

6:00 AM.Flooding and trees down in Nelson; Military chopper scrambled to save two tourists; Weather update from around the country; No prosecution for man who sparked measles scare; Education Council hearing… Read more Audio

6:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:11 AM.Heavy rain has been falling across the Nelson Tasman region resulting in widespread flooding and the downing of trees. Audio

6:13 AM.A Whangarei emergency housing trust says it is turning away homeless families at the rate of seven a week as it copes with an influx of people fleeing high rents in Auckland. Audio

6:15 AM.China has responded to reports that it has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea by saying that it has a right to build self-defence. Audio

6:20 AM.Fletcher Building, has delivered on expectations, with a strong first half net profit, but will be challenged to meet its full-year guidance. Audio

6:27 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:37 AM.Auckland health officials won't be prosecuting the person behind a Sky City measles alert who defied quarantine instructions. Audio

6:43 AM.NZ First is demanding answers on the cost of dealing with British company Serco's botched management of Mt Eden Remand prison. Audio

6:51 AM.New Zealand's largest construction company, Fletcher Building, will have its work cut out for it as it scales up to juggle some of the country's largest building projects. Audio

6:54 AM.Shares in specialist dairy company A2 Milk hit a life time high yesterday - at one stage they were up more than 26 percent - as investors renewed their love affair with last year's market… Read more Audio

6:56 AM.The online trading website, Trade Me, expects to build momentum in its second half - especially in the core property, motoring and classified advertising businesses. Audio

6:58 AM.In some other earnings news. Audio

6:59 AM.Turning to the markets. Audio

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

7:11 AM.Intense rain across the Nelson region has resulted in widespread surface flooding and trees down. Audio

7:14 AM.An air force helicopter had to be scrambled to save two stranded tourists near Farewell Spit last night after atrocious weather grounded local rescue choppers. Audio

7:16 AM.There's been rough weather overnight around the country? Audio

7:18 AM.Auckland health officials won't be prosecuting the man behind a Sky City measles alert who defied quarantine instructions. Audio

7:22 AM.An Education Council hearing resumes this morning into the case of two teachers accused of serious misconduct with a 13 year old pupil who later died. Audio

7:25 AM.A Whangarei emergency housing trust is turning away homeless families at the rate of seven a week as it copes with an influx of people fleeing high rents in Auckland. Audio

7:28 AM.New Zealand First wants the government to explain how much Serco's botched management of Mt Eden Remand Prison will cost the taxpayer. Audio

7:37 AM.Heavy rain has resulted in widespread surface flooding and bought trees down in the region overnight. Audio

7:40 AM.Most of the major banks are keeping quiet on whether they'll match what's being touted as the lowest home loan rate in five decades. Audio

7:43 AM.Reuters is reporting highly dangerous radioactive material stolen in Iraq in November could fall into the hands of Islamic State. Audio

7:46 AM.David Bain's main supporter is playing down media reports that he is likely to have his compensation claim turned down. Audio

7:52 AM.Feathers have been ruffled in Auckland with the release of a list of possible locations for a brand new port for the city. Audio

7:57 AM.A potentially revolutionary blood cancer therapy which has produced extraordinary results in terminally ill patients has made headlines around the world. Audio

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

8:11 AM.Residents in the Nelson region are being urged to take care on their way to work and school this morning. Audio

8:14 AM.An attempt by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry to drum up support for the Prime Minister's flag change campaign has been called nothing out of the ordinary by John Key, but too little too late by… Read more Audio

8:16 AM.Some all boys high schools are feeling ripped off by new rules which stop them from doing the poi in the national kapa haka competition. Audio

8:24 AM.US technology giant Apple has no desire to help the FBI break into one of its phones. Audio

8:27 AM.Thousands of dead fish have been washed up on the shores of Fiji and Vanuatu. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:38 AM.HSBC Bank is offering home buyers, what it's touting as the lowest mortgage rate, seen in New Zealand in 50 years. Audio

8:44 AM.2015 was an outstanding year for New Zealand sport - the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup and Lydia Ko is the number one women's golfer. Audio

8:46 AM.The Prime Minister John Key will meet Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney tomorrow and New Zealand's long standing offer to accept Australian asylum seekers under this country's refugee intake will be on the… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.New Zealand is approaching decision time on anti-strangling laws and the world's leading expert predicts such a law could spark hundreds of prosecutions here. Audio

8:56 AM.Latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show a significant drop in births by girls aged 15 to 19 years old. Audio