Morning Report for Friday 1 April 2022

8:53 AM.The Academy has revealed Will Smith was asked, but refused to leave after the slap that rocked the Oscars - and Comedian Chris Rock says he is still processing what happened.

Smith slapped Chris Rock… Read more Audio

8:49 AM.The shutdown of Marsden Point oil refinery is causing ructions in the intensely-under-pressure road building industry.

Z Energy is accusing the Transport Agency of effectively forcing it to quit… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.After an initial blip, the removal of children by Oranga Tamariki has reduced significantly.

Children's minister Kelvin Davis gave the guarantee last September at the release of one of several… Read more Audio

8:37 AM.Fiery exchanges have been traded at the decision-making table, as Auckland Councillors voted to send out a new parking strategy for public consultation.

The proposal to remove roadside parking to… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.Fiery exchanges have been traded at the decision-making table, as Auckland Councillors voted to send out a new parking strategy for public consultation.

The proposal to remove roadside parking to… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.The Government is being criticised for distributing money from a lucrative tourism fund without a proper process and to some firms that didn't need it.

Funding came from a $290 million Strategic… Read more Audio

8:13 AM.The Christchurch City councillor subject to online harassment last year hopes more women can learn from her case.

Councillor Sara Templeton applied to the district court under the Harmful… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.The National Party says the Government should consider re-claiming and redistributing some of the money it's paid out from the $290 million Strategic Tourism Asset Protection Programme.

… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.There is further signs of weakness in the housing market with new data showing the market in Wellington now favouring buyers for the first time in eight years. 

Property website Real Estate.co.nz… Read more Audio

7:47 AM.Commuters around the country are gearing up to make the most of half-price fares on public transport from Friday.

Prime Minister announced the nationwide discount on 14 March as part of a relief fund… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Few people get close to Vladimir Putin.

The Russian President is isolated, fighting a personal war with his own advisers to scared to tell him the truth.

That was the assessment of Britain's spy… Read more Audio

7:29 AM.The month-long women's Cricket World Cup will come to an end on Sunday, when Australia play England in the final at Christchurch's Hagley Park.

It is the first of three world cups New Zealand is… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.Once again questions are being raised about the culture of the National Party - this time in the party's youth wing.

Two members of the Young Nats have been linked to a campaign of online trolling of… Read more Audio

7:20 AM.Low income earners will get more money in their pockets, with a raft of extra support measures kicking in today.

Opposition parties say the government is failing to address the cost of living crisis… Read more Audio

7:13 AM.The police and parliament are on alert for more protest action from the anti-mandate movement.

Following the 23-day occupation a new group has sprung up demanding an end to all Covid-19 legislation.

7:09 AM.The police and parliament are on alert for more protest action from the anti-mandate movement.

Following the 23 day occupation a new group has sprung up demanding an end to all Covid-19 legislation.

6:45 AM.Floods in the north, and a drought in the south - two very different challenges.

Tairāwhiti is still swamped from last week's deluge, with boggy paddocks, roads washed out, and stock losses still… Read more Audio

6:40 AM.Doctors are warning that we could be in for a tough flu season shortly, after two winters with closed borders and very little flu.

Flu vaccinations are available from today.

College of General… Read more Audio

6:15 AM.The co-owner of a major tourist business says the Government has no understanding of tourism and appears to have given money to its mates without due process.

The comment by Aaron Russ of Heritage… Read more Audio