Morning Report for Tuesday 8 April 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, the government has announced a defence funding boost, we hear from the Defence Minister and the Labour leader, markets around the world have fallen amid Trump's tariff… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.A Queenstown fine dining restaurant is basking in the glow of global recognition. Amisfield executive chef Vaughan Mabee spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

8:50 AM.Universities' lucrative international enrolments are back to pre-pandemic levels. Education correspondent John Gerritsen has more. Audio

8:46 AM.The latest update on New Zealand's environment shows people can breathe a little easier, but a substantial proportion of groundwater is failing drinking standards. Eloise Gibson spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

8:41 AM.Wild weather has been hitting parts of the country this morning. There are reports strong winds are bringing trees downs and lifting roofs of houses in Levin and Waikawa Reporter Mary Argue has more. Audio

8:36 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

8:30 AM.Market Update for 8 April 2025 Audio

8:25 AM.A Samoan national has been jailed for four years for exploiting illegal migrants. Immigration New Zealand general manager of immigration compliance and investigations Steve Watson spoke to Alexa Cook.

8:21 AM.Global financial markets have continued to fall, in response to tough new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

8:11 AM.The Labour leader has stopped short of outright saying he supports the government's new defence spending plan, but says it seems very similar to what was planned under the last government. Chris… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.The New Zealand team will be hoping for plenty of medals at the World Athletics Championships later this year with a star studded quartet the first athletes named to compete in Tokyo in September. Audio

7:57 AM.Persian-New Zealand talent CHAII and Stan Walker are just two of the finalists announced this morning for the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. RNZ Music's Tony Stamp spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

7:53 AM.Wait times for urgent, non-urgent and surveillance colonoscopies all grew last year after Health New Zealand failed to keep up with demand. Ruth Hill reports. Audio

7:47 AM.A veterans' welfare group, is calling on New Zealanders who've served in the armed forces to boycott official Dawn and Civic Services this Anzac day. No Duff co-founder Aaron Wood spoke to Corin Dann.

7:42 AM.A former soldier and defence expert is hopeful the government's long-awaited Defence Capability Plan will help breathe new life and confidence into the country's defence forces. Retired Lieutenant… Read more Audio

7:38 AM.Hundreds more health workers were assaulted at work last year, according to Health New Zealand data, with Auckland central and Waikato districts seeing the biggest spikes. Reporter Lucy Xia has more. Audio

7:28 AM.US stocks have been swinging wildly today as traders hope Donald Trump's tariffs might be eased or scrapped. Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:21 AM.The government is pumping $12 billion over the next four years into building a "modern, combat-capable" New Zealand Defence Force. Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

7:10 AM.New missile systems, better strike capability and a focus on drones and new technology, those are just some of the features of the government's long-awaited Defence Capability Review. Defence Minister… Read more Audio

7:06 AM.An Olympic champion, a Paris silver medallist and the current World Indoor winner headline the first group of athletes selected to the New Zealand team for the World Athletics Championships in Japan… Read more Audio

6:53 AM.Business news for 8 April 2025 Audio

6:48 AM.The Palestine Red Crescent wants an independent investigation after 15 of its medics were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last month. Tel Aviv correspondent Trent Murray spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

6:44 AM.The coalition has promised a massive boost in defence spending up to levels not seen since the early 1990s, but there are still questions about where the money will come from. Political reporter… Read more Audio

6:38 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

6:28 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

6:26 AM.Latest news from Radio New Zealand's business team. Audio

6:19 AM.The government has unveiled plans to pump billions of extra dollars into the Defence Force to ensure its modern and combat capable. Former National MP and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp spoke to Corin… Read more Audio

6:13 AM.US markets have plunged again, following another day of global market chaos triggered by President Donald Trump's tariffs. Washington correspondent Nick Harper spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

6:06 AM.New Zealand will take a four strong team to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. Audio