Morning Report Podcast Options

8:37 AM.The government could have new powers to impose tougher sanctions on Russia as early as next week.

It also already put in place travel and export bans but is under pressure to do more.

Ukrainians in… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.A stick and a full bottle of milk have been seen being thrown at police as they work to clear protesters at an anti-mandate protest in Wellington.

Corin Dann got an update from the ground. Read more Audio

8:20 AM.Hundreds of protesters continue to camp at a reserve in Picton.

They wanted the government to remove vaccine mandates by March but in the midst of an Omicron outbreak, the Prime Minister says… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.Hundreds of police, many in riot gear, are clearing the streets around Parliament this morning.

In latest developments police say protesters in Wellington have weapons, including homemade plywood… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.Some managed isolation hotels are completely refurbishing their rooms after acting as virus containment zones for the last two years.

They are replacing thousands of towels, sheets and other… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.The National Party leader says the time for diplomacy is well and truly over and the Russian ambassador should be expelled.

Christopher Luxon says New Zealand should also withdraw its own diplomat in… Read more Audio

7:45 AM.Police are working to clear protesters in central Wellington.

A large number of occupiers have set up in Parliament's front lawn.

Corin Dann got an update from the ground. Read more Audio

7:41 AM.The Covid-19 response minister says he will seek answers as to why the Ministry of Health gave incorrect advice on its testing ability.

The Ministry is under pressure for over-estimating how many… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is predicted to peak at 1000 in the next few weeks, but 2000 is possible.

There were 373 people with Covid-19 in hospitals yesterday and the system was… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.Hundreds of police, many in riot gear, are moving in on protesters occupying Parliament and the surrounding streets.RNZ reporters were at the scene. Read more Video, Audio

6:51 AM.Countdown supermarket shelves are looking rather bare, with nearly 1000 workers in isolation.

Nearly half of the workers at Countdown's two Auckland distribution centres are down, plus ten percent of… Read more Audio

6:38 AM.Police are descending on Parliament in large numbers, with at least four large police paddy wagons now outside the protest occupation.

Occupiers have been camped in the grounds and nearby and their… Read more Audio

6:19 AM.Social media footage shows an explosion near the TV tower in Ukraine's capital Kyiv. It's unclear if the tower was directly hit.

The Russian defence ministry has been warning residents that it is… Read more Audio

6:09 AM.Police are descending on Parliament in large numbers, with at least four large police paddy wagons now outside the protest occupation.

Occupiers have been camped in the grounds and nearby and their… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.They're known as "bunker babies" - children born during the pandemic who have spent their short lives in and out of lockdown.

While New Zealanders are now learning to live with the virus, some… Read more Audio

8:53 AM.Chief Victims Advisor to the Government Dr Kim McGregor is calling for more support for children navigating the court system when they make a sexual violence complaint.

Children were the victims in… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.A Russian foreign policy expert says Russia  could resort to mass civilian bombing if it conitinues to fails to gain ground in its war with Ukraine. 

University of Otago Associate Professor in… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Shortly before the death of Dr Selwyn Leeks, the former head psychiatrist at the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit, police said there was enough evidence to charge him but for his poor health.

… Read more Audio

8:38 AM.If you happen to be wandering around the Wellington waterfront today, you will probably notice something interesting in the Whairepo Lagoon: a BIG octopus.

The creature is one of six installations by… Read more Audio