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New Zealand vets want people to be more aware of the health conditions associated with some breeding practices, and to prioritise health over looks. Some of the features that make dogs look cute can also make their lives uncomfortable, and Kiwi vets are asking owners whether it's worth it. Professor Dan O'Neill from the UK's Royal Veterinary College is a leading expert in the field and is visiting...

Voting booths are now open. Labour Day was a holiday for most people, but not politicians, who hit the booths, streets and hustings, hard. Labour says it will form a government by Christmas, while Christopher Luxon says a coalition will take as long as it takes. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira followed it all.

Strong wind warnings remain in place for Wellington and the upper South Island this morning. Yesterday, the gusts were so strong, people were blown off bikes and car wing mirrors went flying, with a stretch of Oriental Parade closed due to safety concerns. Planes couldn't land and as many as 20 flights were diverted. MetService's head of weather news, Heather Keats spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A lawyer who's specialised in ACC claims for nearly 30 years says it's tougher than ever to get compensation and treatment costs paid. Wellington lawyer Hazel Armstrong is worried about the way ACC is investigating claims. She spoke to John Campbell.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

This morning's top stories and other headlines

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

A report commissioned by healthcare unions says almost half of public health spending is being channelled into the private sector. The report was commissioned by Public Futures Aotearoa, a coalition of healthcare unions including the nurses, senior doctors and the Public Service Association. It says 80 percent of the increase in public health funding over the past three years has gone to the priva...

Israeli voters are preparing to go to the polls for the first time since the October 7th Hamas attacks, Israel's worst security failure, and Israel's invasion of Gaza, estimated to have killed more than seventy thousand people. Correspondent Blake Sifton spoke to John Campbell from Tel Aviv.

The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

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

The latest news in Cook Islands Maori (Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani) - brought to you by our partner - Pacific Media Network.

The head of Fire and Emergency has quit, more than a month after the Minister of Internal Affairs said she no longer had confidence in him. In September, Brooke van Velden accused Kerry Gregory of keeping significant information from her for a year, which she said breached her trust. Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board chair Raveen Jaduram spoke to John Campbell.

There's mixed messages over the New Zealand-Samoa Treaty of Friendship; New research challenges assumptions about how climate change is affecting Tuvalu's islands; Pacific teams are turning up the heat at the Rugby League World Cup.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the treaty of friendship with Samoa is not a priority for him at this point in time.

A study of Tuvalu's Funafuti Atoll has found parts of the island's ridge have risen by about 1.4 metres over the past 120 years, despite rising sea levels.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

Excitement continues to grow with one more round of pool matches to go at the Rugby League World Cup.

If you're struggling to control the surging spring growth in your lawn and garden, spare a thought for Eden Park's head groundsman Blair Christensen. Christensen and his team of 10 have their hands full keeping the national stadium in shape, with another big summer of sport and entertainment coming up. Ross McNaughton went along to get the dirt on Eden Park's pitches.

ACT leader David Seymour spoke to First Up about the recent focus on gangs and the party's campaign so far.

First Up's Minister of Fruit and Veg, Glenn Forsyth, recommends leeks, lettuce, silverbeet and cauliflower for the vege drawer, and mandarins, tangelos and oranges for the fruit bowl.

Correspondent Henry Riley brings First Up the latest from the United Kingdom.

A rare referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission raises hopes that a woman jailed for injuring her child can clear her name.

A wrap of the day's big stories