Morning Report for Tuesday 29 March 2022

8:57 AM.A brave kākā has been seen dropping a wooden missile on a falcon to scare the deadly native predator away from its flock. 

Victoria University of Wellington biology professor Kevin Burns witnessed… Read more Audio

8:54 AM.The New Zealand Film Commission's entering a flurry of talks with major film studios this week, off-the-back of Jane Campion's Oscar success.

Dame Jane has become only the third woman in history to… Read more Audio

8:49 AM.Residents of a Canterbury town have not had a reliable source of safe drinking water for nearly a year - and three weeks ago began showering in a community hall.

It's likely to be another year before… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.The newly minted water regulator says its proposals for new drinking water standards, which is copping criticism from environmental groups, have been thoroughly reviewed.

Environment groups are… Read more Audio

8:37 AM.Prominent Māori leader Dame June Jackson has died at the age of 83. 

She was a pioneer and activist who served as founder and chief executive of the Manukau Urban Māori Authority. 

Current chair of… Read more Audio

8:28 AM.The rising cost of building materials may leave home owners in the lurch as the risk of under-insurance throughout New Zealand grows.

Most residential home insurers use a fixed sum policy, meaning… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Israel's foreign minster says cordial relations with friendly Arab League countries will help counter the threat from Iran.

This comes as a historic summit - that would have been unthinkable a few… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.Local filmmakers are lauding Dame Jane Campion's win at the Oscars taking out the coveted Academy Award for best director for The Power of the Dog, which was filmed in Central Otago.

New Zealand Film… Read more Audio

8:12 AM.The number of children being harmed in state care is rising.

The latest figures from Oranga Tamariki show eight percent of all children in state care - up from six per cent in 2018.

VOYCE Whakarongo… Read more Audio

7:47 AM.Auckland Transport's proposing fees for park-and-rides and removing kerbside parking across the city, to try to lessen people's reliance on cars.

Under its new draft parking strategy, on-street… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian peace negotiators are said to have suffered symptoms of poisoning, following a meeting in Kyiv.

On the evening of 3 March they met in Kyiv, but… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.A co-producer of the Oscar winning film The Power of the Dog says the crew loved working with director Dame Jane Campion.

The New Zealander won best director at the Academy Awards. The movie has also… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.More than 200,000 children a day have been staying home from school during the height of the Omicron surge.

Education Ministry figures indicate more than 100,000 have been learning from home on some… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.An on-stage altercation has stolen the spotlight at this year's Oscars.

Actor Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock, after he joked about his wife, who has alopecia.

US Correspondent Rachel… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.An Oranga Tamariki manager says improvements have been made despite the number of children abused in state care rising.

Its latest figures are the worst since the Ministry for Children began… Read more Audio

6:50 AM.Plans to remove some kerbside parking across Tāmaki-Makaurau is dividing councillors.

Under Auckland Transport's new draft parking strategy, on-street parking on dozens of main roads could be taken… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.Actor Will Smith brutally open-palm slapped Chris Rock at Monday's Oscars.

The comedian made a joke on stage about Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith - referencing her alopecia.

After attacking Rock… Read more Audio

6:19 AM.The Omicron outbreak is causing visitor spending to tank in Taranaki after it defied predictions and held its own during the first two years of the pandemic.

The sector wants the government to help… Read more Audio

6:18 AM.Environment groups are outraged at a proposal by the brand new water regulator to increase the amounts of some toxic chemicals allowed in drinking water.

Pesticide Action Network NZ coordinator Dr… Read more Audio