Morning Report Podcast Options

8:53 AM.A unique study to examine the effects of kava on driving ability, is being commissioned by New Zealand's Health Research Council. Audio

8:50 AM.It's billed as the most wonderful time of the year but Christmas is also one of the most stressful times for families, those along or struggling with problems. Audio

8:44 AM.Farmers struggling with drought in parts of the South Island are selling tens of thousands of animals to the North Island, with the help of a new farmer shareholder stock exchange. Audio

8:39 AM.As we reported earlier the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has been approved to conduct marriages in New Zealand. Audio

8:33 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:29 AM.The defence will begin its closing address today at the trial of Taranaki farmer David Roigard who is accused of killing his son, Aaron, in June 2014. Audio

8:24 AM.Conservationists are up in arms at the prospect of a road linking West Coast and Nelson through the Kahurangi National Park. Audio

8:23 AM.Immigration officials who denied a French woman's request to stay in the country with her tetraplegic partner have had a change of heart. Audio

8:18 AM.A Fiji lawyer's allegations of torture by security forces have now embroiled the country's parliament. Audio

8:14 AM.The Green Party says the Red Peak flag design will rise again and could yet be the country's official flag. Audio

8:11 AM.New Zealand's anti doping agency is taking aim at teenage drug cheats in rugby. Audio

8:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:55 AM.They call themselves Pastafarians, adherents to a new religion based on a belief in an airborne god formed from spaghetti and meatballs. Audio

7:50 AM.Republican presidential candidates in the US will go head to head in the final debate of the year in just a few hours. Audio

7:44 AM.The hotly anticipated latest addition in the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens, has had its world premiere in Los Angeles. Audio

7:40 AM.Listening to that is Finance Minister Bill English. Audio

7:37 AM.The Government has pushed out the restart date for contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund for another three years, a move its critics say is irresponsibe. Audio

7:29 AM.Life's looking up for Andre - the convicted armed robber who was recently deported from Australia. Audio

7:25 AM.The Police are planning to make drug and alcohol tests compulsory for officers involved in incidents that involve death or serious injury. Audio

7:22 AM.The campaign to save the existing New Zealand flag is kicking into gear after the alternative was confirmed yesterday. Audio

7:17 AM.New Zealand's anti-doping agency is stepping up its campaign against teenage rugby drug cheats. Audio

7:11 AM.What's being described as an 'electronic threat' has closed all schools across Los Angeles. Audio

7:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:58 AM.American stocks are stronger -- higher oil prices and the expctation of an interest rate rise tomorrow are lifting energy and banking stocks. Audio

6:57 AM.The Government may have some spare change for tax-cuts with strong signals that they are still on the cards. Audio