Morning Report for Monday 27 February 2023

8:52 AM.A Disney super-fan has broken a Guinness world record by visiting the company's theme park for almost 2,995 consecutive days.

Jeff Reitz got the call last week telling him he'd set the record.

His… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.Astronomers have been mind-boggled to discover what appear to be mega-galaxies dating back to within 600 million years of the beginning of the universe.

Labelled by one scientist as universe… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.At what has been called the most significant meeting for Pacific regionalism in recent history - Pacific Islands Forum leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the Suva Agreement in Fiji.

… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.Tradies have been working for free in Te Karaka out of what they describe as a labour of love to help their community. 

They're also keen to offer their services free of charge to people in other… Read more Audio

8:36 AM.As the North Island grapples with recovering from the devastating effects of ex-cyclone Gabrielle, many in the Buller region are bracing for their next severe weather event.

Westport was hit by… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.Super Rugby is back with a bang, with some scintillating rugby in the opening round of the competition.

The Blues thrashed the Highlanders 60-20 on Saturday night, while the Chiefs upset the… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Some Esk Valley locals are feeling angry and abandoned in the wake of Cylone Gabrielle.

Others are just getting on with the job of cleaning up and supporting their community.

Reporter Jemima Huston… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.Nearly two weeks on from Cyclone Gabrielle, a Hawke's Bay farmer says his cut-off community is in limbo.

With power still out in some places and roads and bridges needing to be fixed across the… Read more Audio

8:14 AM.Many of the nation's mayors were interested listeners at the weekend when the National Party announced what it would replace Three Waters with.

In addition to confirming it National said it would… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.Doctors and nurses worked about one million more hours than expected between April and October last year.

New data obtained under the Official Information Act has quantified for the first time the… Read more Audio

7:54 AM.The champions of Te Matatini 2023 have been crowned, with Te Whānau-a-Apanui from Mātaatua taking out the competition for the third time.

It was an emotional festival this year, the first one in four… Read more Audio

7:51 AM.The noted photographer Ans Westra has died aged 86.

She was regarded as one of New Zealand's most important documentary photographers.

Charlotte Cook looks back at her life. Read more Audio

7:48 AM.Two tornados smashed into the Bay of Plenty township of Waihi Beach on Saturday morning, causing considerable damage to seven properties and ripping three roofs off.

It cut power to thousands of… Read more Audio

7:34 AM.Some West Auckland homeowners say they want out.

Many who've suffered from repeated floods no longer want to live in their low-lying properties and want the council or government to buy them out.

… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.The National Party is promising to dump Three Waters and leave water infrastructure under council control.

But it's policy announcement has left some mayors asking how they are going to pay to fix… Read more Audio

7:18 AM.The Government is expected to reveal more details about its new support package for small and medium sized businesses devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle later today.

The $25 million grant is to cover… Read more Audio

7:17 AM.Mangawhai residents spent the weekend cleaning up the damage left behind after Friday's enormous downpour. 

Two-hundred-and-fifty millimetres of rain fell in just three hours, cars were submerged… Read more Audio

7:10 AM.Some areas devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle may not be rebuilt, with the Cyclone Recovery Minister saying a decision will have to be made in the next month.

Grant Robertson made the comments during a… Read more Audio

6:50 AM.It's been four weeks since torrential rainfall hit Auckland, forcing hundreds of people out of their homes and claiming four lives. 

The South Auckland suburb of Māngere was among the worst affected… Read more Audio

6:44 AM.Despite urgent repair works, many key roads across the North Island are still closed as the working week begins. 

Those crossing the Auckland-Northland border are faced with massive detours, with… Read more Audio

6:18 AM.Job ads have risen for the first time in five months, and applications are up as well, according to the SEEK NZ employment report for January.

The report, released at 5am on Monday, says the high… Read more Audio

6:14 AM.Flood-damaged vehicles are making their way onto the market and a motoring expert says car buyers need to be aware of what they are purchasing.

One man whose car was written off by his insurance… Read more Audio

6:08 AM.Rain is falling - again - on flood-ravaged areas of Tai Rāwhiti and the Coromandel.

A heavy rain watch is in force for Gisborne from Tolaga Bay upwards, and that'll extend to Coromandel later this… Read more Audio