Morning Report Podcast Options

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:12 AM.A new survey of the housing market has revealed a major drop in the number of first home buyers - but commentators are divided about whether it was caused by changes to lending rules. Audio

6:09 AM.People across central New Zealand are beginning to cleanup after yesterday's big storm left a trail of damage in its wake. Audio

6:00 AM.Powerco says 18-hundred customers in Wairarapa, Manawatu and Whanganui were without power last night. Power still out to large parts of Wairarapa. Fire crews busy overnight in Wairarapa. Busy night… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.Petrolheads, Ford and Holden at Bathhurst; Bushfires in and around Sydney as heatwave kicks in in NSW and Queensland, and; Bill Shorten to lead the new Labor Party lineup. Audio

8:53 AM.Researchers at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester, say they've identified a chemical that can completely halt the death of brain cells, which could lead to an… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.The Chief Executive of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Graham Smith, says the institution is unlikely to reserve places for staff and students on its governing council if a shake-up of wananga and… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.Scientists and iwi say the eruption of the Papakura geyser in Rotorua for the first time in 34-years means a review of the Whakarewarewa geothermal field is needed. Audio

8:42 AM.The Greens and Labour are claiming a victory for the left in the Local Government elections, saying the country has made a pendulum swing against the right. Audio

8:38 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:29 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:26 AM.A survey of charities suggests an increasing number are fearful of speaking out against the Government because of concerns they could lose funding. Dr Sandra Grey was one of the academics to conduct… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.Ground-breaking DNA technology designed by New Zealand scientists at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research may help solve terrorist attacks and war crimes. Audio

8:19 AM.Despite a record number of Pasifika representatives elected, candidates say the very low turnout by pasifika voters is a clear signal to the mayor and council that not enough has been done to engage… Read more Audio

8:14 AM.The former Christchurch East Labour Party MP, Lianne Dalziel, is now the Mayor of Christchurch and, as such, is set to work much more closely with her former political foe, Earthquake Minister Gerry… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.There are high hopes the new Christchurch council will be a more unified and open body than its controversial and deeply divided predecessor. Audio

8:09 AM.Gale force winds have cut power to more than a thousand households and businesses in the Canterbury region while strong wind warnings are in place for the lower North Island and the east of the South… Read more Audio

7:58 AM.The Automobile Association is giving away free driving lessons, in a bid to prepare young drivers for the road. Audio

7:55 AM.The former union organiser won fifty two percent of the vote, after a month long primary-style campaign to replace Kevin Rudd who stood down after last month's election loss to Tony Abbott. Audio

7:51 AM.School principals say the proposed $30 charge for each exam will deter students, especially those from poor families, from participating in exams at all. Audio

7:48 AM.Changes to welfare laws, which come into effect today, are part of a package of Government initiatives to mitigate welfare fraud - but ignore the greater issue of corporate tax fraud while vilifying… Read more Audio

7:45 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:41 AM.The balance of power has shifted on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council with three candidates promoted by the Growers Action Group being elected and a fourth awaiting the outcome of special votes. Audio

7:36 AM.With budget control, transport and housing as top agenda items, the re-elected supercity mayor will take Auckland's case to Wellington - in a bid to exempt young Aucklanders from new home deposit… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.Olly Barratt reports live from London on the latest police leads into the disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007. Audio