Morning Report Podcast Options

7:39 AM.Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of trying to "destabilise" his country. We hear from the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon and are joined by our correspondent Ruth… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.The Fire Service says homeowners may end up paying higher insurance levies if a High Court ruling is allowed to stand. Audio

7:27 AM.Two years on from the spectacular crash of Allan Hubbard's array of investment companies, the town's perceptions of the man have changed dramatically. Audio

7:22 AM.The police investigating the homicide of a man found burnt to death in Auckland will continue their forensic examination of his car today. Audio

7:18 AM.The union representing senior doctors says nothing is being done to fix New Zealand's chronic shortage of specialists - and hospitals could soon become unsafe. Audio

7:14 AM.Just two months after David Shearer put his leadership to the test, the Labour Party leader is seeking to have it endorsed by Labour MP's today. Political editor Brent Edwards with comment before the… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.A Ngapuhi leader, Kingi Taurua, says the activist Titewhai Harawira needs to step aside and let other kuia, who do the actual work at Te Ti Marae, have the honour of escorting the Prime Minister. Audio

6:47 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:37 AM.Ngapuhi kaiarahi tire of Titewhai Harawira assuming the role of kuia at Waitangi while others defend the ageing activist's claim. Audio

6:27 AM.The police have been reminded by the Waitangi Marae that Maori wardens are the main group to patrol the pa; The Waitangi Tribunal is asking the Government to step in and fund hearings into nearly 400… Read more Audio

6:21 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

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

6:14 AM.Cubans are voting on a slate of candidates for parliament in the second stage of an electoral process that culminates later this month. Audio

6:00 AM.Titewhai Harawira challenged as kuia for Waitangi Day Prime Ministerial escort role; Labour's David Shearer expects plain sailing today for his leadership endorsement by his party's MP's; senior… Read more Audio

8:53 AM.A small island on Lake Wanaka will this weekend be the setting for a dance harking back to a bygone era. Audio

8:50 AM.Scores of world-renowned musicians have been arriving in Nelson this week to prepare for a major international music event. Audio

8:47 AM.A funding bombshell has been dropped on the Waitangi Tribunal; A Maori water rights campaigner hopes a Supreme Court appeal hearing on Maori interests in freshwater will put a stop to what he calls… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.Young people suffering from mental health problems in Christchurch are waiting weeks to be clinically assessed in the public health system. Audio

8:40 AM.Questions are being asked whether professional golfers who have been using deer velvet spray have been playing with an unfair advantage. Audio

8:36 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:27 AM.The founders of New Zealand's newest equestrian sport say they expect it will quickly gain popularity after its first stadium show tonight. Audio

8:24 AM.Business leaders are hoping an end to Auckland's long-running ports dispute is near. Audio

8:21 AM.The Crown submissions will continue this morning at the final day of a Supreme Court hearing over the part-sale of Mighty River Power. Audio

8:16 AM.The man who will lead public neurosurgery in Dunedin takes up the post today, after a two-and-half year community campaign to keep the service in the city. Audio