Morning Report

A decision on a new route to replace the landslide-prone Manawatu Gorge road has been delayed. The Transport Agency had hoped to have a final version ready by the end of this year, but now says more… Read more Audio

Schools are free to scrap National Standards next year, after the Government pulled the plug on the controversial reporting standards for reading, writing and maths. Introduced by National in 2010… Read more Audio

The so-called 'halo' effect of the Auckland housing market has finally reached the Far North. What the locals call the real Far North, that is. The town of Kaitaia - after years in the economic… Read more Audio

One of the lawyers who helped free Teina Pora after he was wrongly convicted for murder is turning his attention to another high profile case. Jonathan Krebs will be acting for Scott Watson in his… Read more Audio

KidsCan says it's been told it will lose its funding on 30 June next year. The charity feeds 30,000 children a week across 700 New Zealand schools. Its executive Julie Chapman told Checkpoint last… Read more Audio

n animal welfare group is laying a complaint with police after being sent a video of a teenager bashing a kitten to death with a rock. Paw Justice put the video online after it was sent to them by an… Read more Audio

Donald Trump has denied accusations that he sexually harassed multiple women before becoming US President. Three of the women who've previously spoken out against Mr Trump reiterated their claims… Read more Audio

Mycoplasma bovis has been found in Hawke's Bay and Southland for the first time. The Ministry for Primary Industries says a fifth property near Ashburton is also likely to be infected. The spread of… Read more Audio

The countdown to Friday's re-opening of State Highway 1 through Kaikoura has started, but truck drivers won't be celebrating just yet. Audio

Eleven of New Zealand's 20 District Health Boards are not keeping any records of people attempting suicide or self-harming at respite centres for mental health patients. Advocates say the lack of… Read more Audio

Whangarei Hospital's blood bank has lost its accreditation and the New Zealand Blood Service has been forced to step in to help. The hospital doesn't have enough scientists in the lab.  Audio