Morning Report

A member's bill seeking to ban all prisoners from voting has been described by the Attorney-General as irrational and over the top. Audio

The United States House of Representatives has begun debating Barack Obama's Health Care Reform Bill in what promises to be a drawn out session which could make or break the Presidency. Audio

The Maori Party says it's frustrated with the democratic ideal of one person one vote. In a speech last night the party's co-leader Dr Sharples outlined his difficulties with the National government. Audio

It looks as if bad weather is the only thing that can prevent the Black Caps losing comprehensively to Australia in the first test. Audio

The lead in the tightly fought race to lead Iraq continues to seesaw between the war-torn country's incumbent and former prime ministers. Audio

First aid will reach the most remote island in the Lau group of islands in Fiji later this morning. The islands to the east of Fiji's two main islands have been some of the worst affected by Cyclone… Read more Audio

Waikato is the latest region to seriously consider merging local councils into a super city. Supporters say a merger could save ratepayers about $50 million a year. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

The Mayor of South Waikato says people in small towns are being put at risk by slow responses to emergencies. A burst gas pipe in Tokoroa at the weekend leaked gas for almost an hour before staff from… Read more Audio

Margaret Moth the New Zealand-born CNN camerawoman has died of cancer aged 59. Moth was the first woman in Australasia to work in television as a camera operator and died in Minnesota in the United… Read more Audio

The UN Secretary General has uncharacteristically condemned Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying it's causing"unacceptable suffering". Audio

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes and flights diverted after a volcano erupted in southern Iceland. Audio