Morning Report

Famed for its summer Festival of the Lights, New Plymouth has put a twist on the audio visual experience and taken it indoors to the city's main theatre for the Darklight Hidden World exhibition. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went along to take a look.

Petowners will tell you just how expensive insurance can be, especially with multiple animals. But what about farmers and their working dog teams? RNZ rural reporter Gianina Schwanecke reports.

Ashburton's Bookarama has been going for 47 years, has tens of thousands of books and has made over $1.5 million for community groups over its lifetime. John Driscoll is the chair of the charitable trust that distributes the funds and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss for this week's regional spotlight.

Despite crackdowns earlier this year from police, methamphetamine is still getting into communities. As part of our five-part series on meth addiction, RNZ has looked at the ways meth gets onto our shores from organised criminal groups overseas. Finn Blackwell reports.

Business update for 2 October 2026.

Suncorp is worried that many people are buying houses without really looking into whether they might be subject to natural hazards or other risks. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been talking to them and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

RNZ Sports Editor Dana Johannsen and All Black and Manu Samoa player, Lima Sopoaga join Morning Report for this week's sports panel.

The Treasury this week cautioned that the country faces significant long-term headwinds, with 28 percent of the tax take spent on super and interest rate costs by 2031. David Cunliffe was the chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group that wrote the report on Aged Care in New Zealand. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Hannah Tollison graduated in May, and after 600 job applications and 53 job interviews, she landed a job in August. For other students, they're facing attending graduation ceremonies, while at the same time worrying about the prospect of getting a job using their new qualifications. Tollison spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A new poll suggests a surge in support for the Greens among voters on the Maori roll. The Greens have never won a Maori electorate, or finished first in the Party vote in one. But the Mata-Horizon poll found 28 percent would cast their party for the Greens, compared to 27 percent for Labour. Former New Zealand First and National MP and Maori Political commentator Tau Henare spoke to John Campbell.

Business update for 2 October 2026.

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

A growing number of Auckland businesses are now paying for their employee's public transport use, after Auckland Transport expanded its Fareshare scheme. More than 135 businesses are signed up including RocketWerkz, a video development studio based in the Auckland CBD. Its chief executive Stephen Knightly spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The leaders and co-leaders of minor parties were quizzed on the cost of living, jobs, healthcare and their own salaries in The Press Kingmakers' Debate last night. But it was talk of coalitions that saw a fairly tame and respectful debate fire up. Political reporter Lillian Hanly reports.

Urology services in Southland are reaching a breaking point with internal briefings showing health bosses moved a risk rating to extreme, with warnings of adverse patient impacts and the potential collapse of the Southland service. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' has a role in training and accrediting specialist urologists. Chair of its New Zealand committee Dr Sharon English spoke to...

Tauranga City Council's coming under fire from residents demanding to know more about the circumstances surrounding its chief executive's resignation. The council has refused to say why Marty Grenfell stood down or whether he will receive a payout. Mt Maunganui Ratepayers Association president Michael O'Neill spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Business News for 2 October 2026.

Passengers and crew of the hijacked FlyDubai flight are being hailed as heroes after they managed to overcome the attacker and right the plane. Massey University's school of aviation chief executive and former airline pilot Ashok Poduval spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Laura Clarke, the CEO of ClientEarth responds to complaints accusing New Zealand of breaching climate pledges in its free trade agreement with the European Union. Clarke spoke to John Campbell.

News from the rural farming sector.

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

RNZ reporters are following the political leaders as they hit the campaign trail and spread their message around the country. Yesterday we brought you the story of Chris Hipkins' day in New Plymouth. Today it's the National Party leader Christopher Luxon in Queenstown, with the tourism pitch we've been talking about this morning, as he rallied support in the resort town. Otago Southland reporter K...

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

The National Party is promising to trial paperless travel across the Tasman, if it's re-elected. It could mean physical passports are no longer required at the gates, with Australian and New Zealand citizens providing their details digitally before departure, and then relying on smartphones, digital credentials, and biometric technology in their journeys through the airports. Travel Agents Associa...

Councils reassess how they manage natural hazard risks; Urologist shortage forces Southland cancer surgery cancellations; Cancer Society on Southland's urologist shortage; The Warehouse CFO discusses latest financial results; Study examines impact of RATs on winter illness treatment