Morning Report for Thursday 25 November 2021

8:57 AM.RnB star The Weeknd has taken the crown for Billboard's "Greatest Song of All Time", with his single 'Blinding Lights'.

Debuting in 2019, it topped the weekly Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in… Read more Audio

8:53 AM.A date for the return of foreign students has been agreed but it's left some in the international education industry disappointed and frustrated.

The end of April is two to three months after schools… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.It's hoped the abrupt resignation of KiwiRail's embattled chief executive Greg Miller may help avert a nationwide rail strike that threatens to derail Christmas for holidaymakers and supply chains.

… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.New Zealand's Anglican archbishop, Philip Richardson, says he "had no idea" of the extent of historical abuse within Anglican-related organisations.

As has been reported, the police are investigating… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.More than 1.75 million vaccine passes have been issued since the My Vaccine Pass site went live a week ago.

But the helpline is being swamped, with some callers trying dozens of times a day to reach… Read more Audio

8:34 AM.Criticism is continuing over the government's scramble to pass legislation allowing the new Covid-19 traffic light scheme to run.

The Covid-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Bill was pushed… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Some of the country's larger hotels are looking forward to an end to their MIQ role and hoping for the return of international travellers.

This follows the government announcement yesterday of a… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.New Zealanders overseas now know when they can come home without going through the stress of the MIQ lottery system.

On Wednesday the Government announced fully vaccinated New Zealanders can travel… Read more Audio

8:12 AM.A political commentator says the events in the National Party over the last 12 hours have been "destructive".

National's leader Judith Collins has demoted Simon Bridges to the backbenches after… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.There are hectic scenes at Parliament this morning ahead of a National Party caucus meeting.

The meeting has been called after leader Judith Collins demoted Simon Bridges to the backbenches in a… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.Thousands of attempts by high-risk drunk drivers to get behind the steering wheel have been stopped thanks to a palm-sized device.

The Automobile Association said alcohol interlocks in the cars of… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.A review of firefighting at a big south Auckland warehouse blaze says asbestos floated up to 1km away.

It also shows 22 fire trucks were not decontaminated and may have carried hazardous asbestos… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.The Reserve Bank has signalled there are plenty more interest rate rises to come before it thinks inflation will be under control.

The central bank yesterday raised the official cash rate by a… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.Yesterday's rise in the official cash rate is being described as a kick in the guts for first home buyers.

After the Reserve Bank hiked its benchmark rate by 0.25 percent, commercial banks moved… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.National's leader Judith Collins has demoted Simon Bridges after an accusation he made offensive comments to a National MP who RNZ understands is Jacqui Dean.

The shock news came in a media release… Read more Audio

7:28 AM.National MP Simon O'Connor says Judith Collins must resign after late night drama on Wednesday.

Collins released a statement at 9:30pm on Wednesday announcing the demotion of Simon Bridges over… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period for all people arriving in New Zealand from 17 January will be monitored with a 'light touch.'

Hipkins told… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.Stranded New Zealanders who are fully vaccinated will be able to return home without staying in managed isolation hotels in the new year, instead isolating at home for seven days.

The country will… Read more Audio

7:08 AM.National MPs are in disarray after their leader Judith Collins dropped a late night bombshell, demoting Simon Bridges over an old complaint about lewd comments.

Collins will front to media at 10am on… Read more Audio

6:47 AM.With the number of Covid-19 cases steadily rising in the Bay of Plenty, some people are been given caravans and motorhomes to help them self-isolate.

A Covid-19 case is now confirmed as having… Read more Audio

6:43 AM.International travel is set to resume next year, but it won't be like pre-2020.

From early next year the Government is doing away with managed isolation for most fully vaccinated travellers, and… Read more Audio

6:13 AM.Simon Bridges has been dumped from the shadow cabinet and demoted to the backbenches.

The shock news came in a media release from National Party leader Judith Collins just after 9.30pm on Wednesday… Read more Audio

6:09 AM.New Zealanders stranded abroad finally have some certainty from the government about when they can return home.

Those fully vaccinated will soon be able to skip the MIQ lottery and instead, isolate… Read more Audio