Morning Report

The Otago University Consumer Lifestyles Study has just released its eighth study in a series dating back to 1979, looking at the impact of rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and the rapid change in technology on our thinking and behaviour as consumers. Lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins spoke to John Campbell.

Russian strikes have left 600,000 people without power in Ukraine, as attacks on energy infrastructure continue. Russia says it hit four power plants near Kyiv, and two in the city of Kharkiv. That's despite an "energy ceasefire" announced by US president Donald Trump earlier this week. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky is in London meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. BBC Monitoring'...

A recent report suggests a large Hawke's Bay water storage project should help pump money into the region - if it goes ahead, meanwhile arable growers seem more confident following a good start to spring, but they're still cautious about what crops they plant. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

One stage, six very different ideas about how to steer the nation's finances. Last night's ASB Great Debate in Queenstown put political leaders on the spot over fiscal fixes, food prices and the future of the economy. As battle lines were drawn between the leaders and finance spokespeople of Labour, the Greens, ACT, National, Opportunity and New Zealand First. RNZ Otago Southland reporter Katie To...

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

New Zealand's brain drain across the Tasman appears to be easing, with new figures showing fewer Kiwis leaving our shores. Infometrics chief demographer Nick Brundson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode Winston Peters on not signing UN declaration on pandemic preparedness; Flaxmere College principal Cherie Heeney on their low-cost uniform; Political panel - Greens' Ricardo Menendez-March and Act's James Christmas.

From today Christchurch residents will have a new option when recycling electronic waste. Patrick Moynahan, chief executive of facility owner Echo, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

New statistics reveal that ACC receives around 76,000 gardening-related injury claims each year. Gardening expert Lynda Hallinan spoke to John Campbell about taking care in the wilds of the garden.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.

Business update for 14 October 2026.

There's no shortage of news about tough times for the Auckland housing market. With house prices down more than 20 percent from their peak and some developers putting townhouses on the market with $1 reserve, is now the time to bag a bargain? There's some evidence investors are spotting a moment but our money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been talking to people who say there are reasons to be wa...

Some Aucklanders are making the effort to head to the market, butcher and bakery as they avoid dominant supermarket retailers. reports. Matthew Theunissen.

Last night's 1 News Verian poll has National and Labour's combined party vote at 56%, among the lowest in the MMP era. Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March and ACT candidate James Christmas spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about their policies and the focus on minor parties this election.

The country's stock of blood plasma is forecast to reach critical levels soon and the Blood Service is calling for 25-thousand donations by the end of next month. A new donation centre in Porirua, just north of Wellington, is hoping to help meet surging demand for the so-called 'liquid gold'. Mary Argue reports.

"Exercise Pacific Wave" is a national exercise that tests how Civil Defence communicates and makes decisions in the event of a tsunami threat. Stef Michie, deputy Chief Executive for Assurance at the National Emergency Management Agency, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about the test.

Progressive Achievement Test results (PATs) over the past 15 years show recent improvement in maths and reading vocabulary, but a dip in reading comprehension. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to John Campbell about the results.

Business update for 14 October 2026.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.

New data shows a big drop in how much Wellingtonians are spending in pubs. Dot Loves Data director, and former Wellington Mayor, Justin Lester spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about the state of hospitality in the city.

RNZ Political Editor Jo Moir takes a look at the performance of the parties at last night's debate.

Political reporter Russell Palmer takes a look at the debate that featured the five party leaders who could hold power to form the next government.

New Zealand was among five countries that did not vote for a UN declaration designed to strengthen national, regional and international co-operation in the event of a future pandemic. Winston Peters spoke to John Campbell about the move.

Business News for 14 October 2026.