Morning Report for Monday 4 December 2017

6:10 AM.The National Party denies it is trying to drive a wedge between the government parties as it pushes to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary from opposition. The Nelson MP Nick Smith has lodged a… Read more Audio

6:15 AM.One of China's favourite ways of paying for things is about to be introduced to Wellington shops - making it easier for Chinese tourists to spend money. Alipay is a smartphone application used by more… Read more Audio

6:20 AM.Hamilton residents are bracing themselves for a massive rates rise after predictions it will be in double-digits. Mayor Andrew King has recommended 15.5 percent, but a final figure won't be decided… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.The Regional Economic Development Minister wants a work-for-the-dole scheme for young people in the regions saying he'll announce the details in the next few weeks.

Shane Jones is proposing the… Read more Audio

7:10 AM.Unions are querying Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones' idea to make beneficiaries work for the dole.

Mr Jones told TVNZ's Q+A the government would top up dole payments to working… Read more Audio

7:16 AM.People who are willing and able to donate a kidney or part of a liver will receive financial help. It's part of ongoing efforts to boost live and deceased organ donation to reduce long waiting lists… Read more Audio

7:20 AM.A night out celebrating his 21st birthday in Brisbane has turned into exile in New Zealand for a young man. His mother has spent the last week settling him into his new life in Christchurch, before… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says there'll be "no more sitting on the couch" for the young & unemployed. He told TVNZ's Q+A that he'll be taking a work-for-the-dole scheme to… Read more Audio

7:41 AM.Polytechnic bosses have told the government their sector is under strain from a lack of funding, competition from the private sector, and falling enrolments. The Tertiary Education Commission has… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.A budget blow-out involving Sir Peter Jackson's Great War Exhibition has left one of the country's smallest ministry millions of dollars in debt. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage was supposed to… Read more Audio

7:49 AM.Donald Trump has lashed out at the FBI and issued a fresh denial that he asked the bureau's former director James Comey to halt an investigation into his former intelligence chief Michael Flynn. Mr… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.The discovery of myrtle rust in the Wellington region has dashed hopes the infectious fungal disease had been halted at Te Puke and Taranaki. The Ministry for Primary Industries has been trying to… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.Auckland Council's environment committee will decide whether to close the Waitakere Ranges to the public in an attempt to slow the spread of a disease that is killing kauri trees. One in five trees in… Read more Audio

8:15 AM.New research has found the trades offer young New Zealanders a better financial future than university study. The BERL report, commissioned by the Industry Training Federation, shows apprentices earn… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.Universities are dismissing the new research that suggests the trades offer young New Zealanders a more secure financial future than university study. The BERL report points to data showing that… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.The last of three family members struck down with suspected botulism after eating wild boar has emerged from her coma. Subi Babu was admitted to Waikato Hospital nearly a month ago along with her… Read more Audio

8:28 AM.Justice Minister Andrew Little wants to lower the number of prisoners by releasing more people on parole and granting bail to more suspected criminals. He says the prison population will rise by 50… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.Hunterville-raised farmboy Hadleigh Parkes has made a stunning debut in his international rugby debut on Saturday, scoring twice. However he was wearing the red jersey of Wales rather than that of the… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.The West Indies made a strong comeback during Day Three of their first test with the Black Caps. Still trailing by 172, the West Indies will resume their second innings this morning at 214/2, still… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.Two women who were denied abortions through Waitemata DHB want to ensure no one else goes through the same ordeal. Waitemata DHB says it has changed its procedures as a result of errors in dealing… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.Maori sportswomen led the way at the 27th Annual Maori Sports Award with Black Ferns star Portia Woodman claiming two major awards. It continued a strong streak of Maori sportswomen excelling on the… Read more Audio

8:54 AM.Six thousand Ōtara school children will be receiving a donated Christmas present this week. It's the first time so many gifts have been given out to the primary and intermediate school students of… Read more Audio