Morning Report for Monday 15 March 2021

8:54 AM.Researchers have developed an unusual weapon in the battle to protect New Zealand's native birds from mammalian predators - smells. Over two nesting seasons, the researchers from Landcare Research and… Read more Audio

8:49 AM.The days of Wellington's so-called bottomless brunches are limited after reports of people drinking too much before lunch. A small number of bars and restaurants offer the 'all you can eat and drink'… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Auckland Transport is the latest organisation to add a feature to its website which can help victims of domestic abuse escape. Women's Refuge says technology is increasingly being used as a way to… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.Thousands of fans are expected back at Auckland's viaduct today hoping that America's Cup racing can get underway again without a hitch. A lack of wind was the problem yesterday, but on Friday it was… Read more Audio

8:29 AM.A woman deported on the flight that Australian Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton described as "taking out the trash" says that people like her could have a lot to offer New Zealand, if given a… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.The Ministry of Health is seeking to award contracts to providers who can improve abortion services. Last year, abortion was decriminalised and the administration changed hands from the Ministry of… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.Churches in New Zealand at the centre of historical abuse claims are being given their chance to respond to evidence from abuse survivors. The Abuse in Care Royal Commission is holding a two week… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.A new report has revealed almost 90 percent of coastal drownings over the last decade have been men. The research by Surf Life Saving New Zealand shows our drowning statistics are worse than… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.The government's clampdown and seizures of high-powered semi-automatic weapons appear to have had no impact on a rise in gun crime and violence in New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.First five Johnny Sexton led Ireland to a 27-24 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield as the visitors climbed to second in the Six Nations Rugby standings behind Wales. Read more Audio

7:56 AM.The leadup to the Grammy Awards has been dominated by artists criticising what they call the ceremony's growing irrelevance. The annual awards have been snubbed by several stars, most prominent among… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.Today marks two years since 51 people were killed in the mosque terror attacks in Christchurch. Last year's official anniversary service was cancelled, and just days later the country went into level… Read more Audio

7:45 AM.Some schools contracting their own bus services don't know it's up to them to monitor safety standards. Two years ago Auckland company Kiwi Coaches was found to have been running a dozen school buses… Read more Audio

7:41 AM.Today the America's Cup teams get another shot at breaking the deadlock and chasing down four more wins for victory. It's the most evenly matched America's Cup in nearly 40 years. Journalist Richard… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.The most evenly matched America's Cup in nearly 40 years remains on a knife-edge heading into today's racing. Only once before in the history of the Cup has the scoreboard been locked at 3-all like it… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.Government officials stand accused of stealing a farm bought by a central North Island town for their schoolchildren to learn agriculture Taihape people established the teaching farm on 12 hectares 30… Read more Audio

7:14 AM.The Prime Minister says gun reform laws were never going to change crime rates overnight, but that does not mean they were unnecessary. Following the mosque shootings in Christchurch, the government… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.The government's clampdown on firearms and seizures of high-powered semi-automatic weapons has had no impact on a rise in gun crime and violence in New Zealand. Today marks the second anniversary of… Read more Audio

6:53 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

6:46 AM.Thousand of America Cup fans are expected back at Auckland's viaduct today hoping that racing can get underway again without a hitch. Those expecting another tense tussle on the Waitamata habour… Read more Audio

6:41 AM.Myanmar's had its bloodiest weekend since last month's coup, with dozens of protesters killed by security forces Reports say at least 14 people were killed when security forces fired on anti-junta… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.The transformation of the country's abortion services is one step closer with the Health Ministry seeking to award contracts to providers who can improve services. Last year, abortion was… Read more Audio

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

6:20 AM.A brief update from the business sector. Audio

6:12 AM.With Samoa's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out slated to start in April, some in the tourism sector aren't sure they'll be in business when borders eventually re-open. While the tragedy of the measles… Read more Audio

6:08 AM.Survivors of abuse in care will be closely watching over the next two weeks as church leaders front at the Abuse in Care inquiry. The Royal Commission resumes public hearings today, this time giving… Read more Audio