Morning Report

New Zealand's gross domestic product figures released yesterday show one industry is bucking the trend. Construction was up 2.7 percent in the last quarter and is the largest contributor to the overall increase in GDP. It's also the largest increase in construction activity since the June 2023 quarter. Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders Malcolm Fleming spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Fire and Emergency's leadership team has been told to meet urgently, after the Minister overseeing the organisation said yesterday she had lost confidence in its chief executive. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

Eight months after the deadly landslide at Mount Maunganui it's still unclear when the mountain will re-open to the public. Mauao has been off limits since a deadly landslide claimed nine lives in January this year. Mayor Mahe Drysdale spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Competition is intensifying in the global beef market, meanwhile it's a busy and expensive time out on farm with spring finally here. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

King Charles has added his voice to a wave of warnings about AI, saying there are "existential dangers" with the technology. He made the comment while speaking at an AI summit in Scotland, where leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, and chip-making company Nvidia were gathered. Correspondent John Bevir spoke to Guyon Espiner.

An early morning sports news update.

In order to double crowd capacity, the Warriors semi final match against the Knights has been moved from the Warriors spiritual home at Mount Smart, to the country's largest stadium, Eden Park. Jonty Dine reports.

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

Five months on from floods that swept through Wellington, there are still residents who haven't been able to get back into their homes. Jennifer Andrewes had about 200 millimetres of water through her Island Bay home, but will finally be moving back in tomorrow. She spoke to Guyon Espiner.

On today's episode Labour's Ayesha Verrall on state of health system; Pak'nSave Tauranga owner responds to National's new policy; Fiji govt declares national HIV emergency; Treaty law changes put government agenda under pressure; Electric Avenue line up announced.

The festival sold out this year, with the 90,000 attendees spending almost $14 million, according to an economic impact report released in May. Electric Avenue's managing director, Callam Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

For some, loud noises and bright lights can turn a shopping trip into a saga. But a recent win for a Dunedin autistic advocate means his local Kmart now has low sensory shopping hours every Wednesday. Instead of speeches and fanfare, yesterday's first quiet hours were marked with dimmer lights and reduced noise. Tess Brunton reports.

An online charter school that started the year with 200 students is on track to become one of the country's biggest schools next year. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Guyon Espiner.

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

Business update for 17 September 2026.

People who have borrowed money have the right to request certain forms of help if they hit unexpected hardship. But money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been speaking to one woman who says it didn't work out as she expected - and there might be lessons for other borrowers in her experience.

Maori News Journalist Layla Bailey-McDowell looks into how the way te reo Maori is being taught and learnt has changed over the decades.

A convenience store trying to position itself as a competitor to New Zealand's two big supermarket groups is questioning the impact of political parties' pledges to take on the supermarket duopoly. Matthew Lane, general manager of Night 'n Day Foodstores spoke to Guyon Espiner.

One of New Zealand's largest healthcare software companies wants all political parties to prioritise investment in technology, saying it will ease pressures in the health system. Orion Health CEO Brad Porter spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A bill to repeal references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in laws has been introduced to Parliament this week. The clock is ticking as the house prepares to rise for the election campaign, putting pressure on the government to get its remaining legislative agenda across the line. Treaty law expert and professor at Te Wananga o Raukawa, Carwyn Jones spoke to Guyon Espiner.

National's proposed supermarket shake-up has blown open a fresh fight at Parliament, with its coalition partners pulling in opposite directions. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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

Business update for 17 September 2026.

Google Maps is sending travellers on an unnecessary nine-hour detour from Franz Josef to Wanaka, and it's causing pain for South Westland tourism operators. Franz Josef Wilderness Tours owner Dale Burrows spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.