Morning Report for Thursday 22 December 2016

6:00 AM.Fire investigators looking for cause of fatal South Auckland housefire, Fire investigators looking for cause of fatal South Auckland housefire, German police hunt for Tunisian suspect in Berlin truck… Read more Audio

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

6:09 AM.Reporter Joanna McKenzie reports from Flat Bush, where three people have been killed in a house fire and three others have been rushed to hospital. Audio

6:14 AM.The Children's Commissioner says making housing affordable is crucial to helping the most vulnerable children and the Minister for Children also accepts poverty can be a factor in children being at… Read more Audio

6:16 AM.About 1000 villagers stranded on their island in Fiji's Rewa River delta say they are running out of food after a week of constant rain and rising floodwaters. Audio

6:20 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

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

6:43 AM.The Commodore of the Tauranga Yacht and Boat Club says there's a risk a Maritime New Zealand crackdown on boaties who don't wear lifejackets could alienate people. Audio

6:46 AM.Kiwirail is defending its decision to ditch electric locomotives on the North Island's main trunk line in favour of diesels, saying it will keep the company in business and long term that's a big plus… Read more Audio

6:49 AM.Immigrant and tourist numbers set records last month with no sign that they are going to ease any time soon. Audio

6:51 AM.The campervan rental company, Tourism Holdings, says its new North American businesses will see its net profit nearly double over the next three years. Audio

6:52 AM.The Australian automotive company, Bapcor -- which is trying to take over investment firm Hellaby Holdings -- is sounding more confident it will gain control after the Overseas Investment Office gave… Read more Audio

6:53 AM.Real estate company, Colliers International, says confidence in the commercial property sector is at record levels, but less so for the residential market. Audio

6:55 AM.A noted business and community leader says boards need to take a leading role in promoting social responsibility alongside economic interests in order for New Zealand to develop to its full potential.

6:58 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

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

7:11 AM.Three people from the same family have died in a house fire in South Auckland. Three people have escaped the blaze in Flat Bush. Audio

7:23 AM.A "no excuses" campaign on policing lifejackets and speeding is about to launch across the country. Maritime NZ says it's a positive move. Read more Audio

7:26 AM.A police investigation has found the use of a seclusion room at Sara Cohen special needs school was appropriate, despite evidence of abuse given by an autistic student. Audio

7:39 AM.KiwiRail's decision yesterday to scrap its aging electric trains is attacked by Labour, the Greens and the Rail & Maritime Transport Union. But as Eric Frykberg reports KiwiRail says the reforms will… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.The main road south of Kaikoura is open again. Conan Young talked to motorists keen to get the green light and hit the road. Audio

7:48 AM.Washington correspondent Harry Horton says Mr Obama has one eye on the future and is doing what he can to stop president-elect Donald Trump from pulling back on environmental bans currently in place. Audio

7:53 AM.Schools are so desperate for physics teachers that one new graduate was offered a job at an Auckland High School within six hours of applying for it. Joanna MacKenzie investigates. Audio

7:56 AM.Australian actor Tiriel Mora explains the vibe behind a bid to save the humble Melbourne home at the centre of the classic movie The Castle from demolition. Audio

8:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:10 AM.Maritime New Zealand is promising random checks on boaties this summer. Anyone caught speeding or not wearing lifejackets will be slapped with a $300 fine. Adriana Weber reports. Audio

8:14 AM.Waikawa Boat Club Commodore Chris Webb has welcomed Maritime New Zealand's tough stance on lifejackets this summer. Audio

8:19 AM.Fares Shehabi, the pro regime MP for Aleppo, talks to Susie Ferguson about the evacuation of Aleppo. He defends the goverment's approach to tackling terrorism within Syria. Audio

8:25 AM.After the Christchurch earthquakes, Daniel and Sarah Jenkins decided to pack up everything they own and move to Kaikoura. They opened Kaikoura Cheese and talked to our reporter Max Towle about getting… Read more Audio

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

8:36 AM.Rural shopkeepers are being told not to expect a spend-up from dairy farmers for at least a year despite the rise in global dairy prices. As Patrick O'Meara reports, getting on top of debt remains the… Read more Audio

8:38 AM.Northland's Regional Council is making big changes to the way it operates. But as Lois Williams reports that's sparking fears it'll be doing more of its business behind closed doors. Audio

8:44 AM.Nelson cyclist George Bennett is enjoying an extended break after his most succesful season on the world stage. He tells Barry Guy that being a lean 59kg is a big advantage when it comes to racing up… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.A NZ couple living in Indonesia has extended an offer of accommodation to those affected in the Kaikoura earthquake looking to de-stress and relax. Audio

8:53 AM.Refugees stuck on Manus Island are joining in a local cricket competition and as Johnny Blades found out, this week's cricket tournament is a welcome distraction for the men from the prolonged mental… Read more Audio