Morning Report

Parts of the country are in for a Labour weekend scorcher, with temperatures set to hit the high twenties, before wet and windy weather returns on Monday. Metservice's Head of Weather News, Heather Keats spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

GP says early intervention is key to easing hospital pressure; Brownlee says threats against MPs have worsened significantly; Senior doctors urge parties to address specialist shortages; What Israel's new Pacific partnership means for the region

Holidaymakers are being asked to do a little homework this long weekend to help one of New Zealand's endangered birds. Labour weekend happens to coincide with the start of the mating season for the often secretive Australasian Bittern, or matuku-hurepo. It means its distinctive booming calls will be a little more prevalent around wetlands in the coming weeks. There are fewer than a thousand left i...

A deaf woman with a health condition has hit barriers getting her dog registered as a disability assist dog. There are eight organisations that certify and train disability assistance dogs, allowing the animals and their handlers access rights in public places, such as supermarkets, libraries and on public transport. But only one organisation will consider dogs that are already in a disabled perso...

Experts are warning that the rollout of ads on New Zealand's biggest streaming service could be ushering in a huge shift in the local market. Netflix holds about 50 per cent of the streaming audience in New Zealand and in March it will roll out its ad-supported services to Kiwi viewers. But what does that mean for local content producers who rely on advertising dollars? Massey University professor...

A small rural community in Auckland's south is fighting to save its hospital. The Franklin Memorial hospital served the local community for more than 100 years before closing for refurbishment in 2024. But now health authorities say they have no plans to renovate or re-open the doors. Rachel Moore reports.

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

Business update for 22 October 2026.

The Green Party says Act's KiwiSaver policy is only going to make the wealthy wealthier. The party wants to take tax off KiwiSaver returns. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been talking to them and spoke to John Campbell.

For decades, the Auckland electorate of Tamaki has been one of the safest National seats in the country. But after a shock result at the 2023 election, the eastern suburb has become a much more interesting contest, especially with the boundaries being redrawn to include Point England. This year, National wants to win it back, nominating Mahesh Muralidhar as the first candidate of Indian heritage s...

The union for senior doctors says while they welcome the attention placed on the shortage of nursing staff and GPs, political parties should also consider how they could help bolster the workforce of specialist doctors. Sarah Dalton heads the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

If the latest GDP figures are anything to go by, it seems the construction sector is starting to bounce back after a tough few years. Back in February, we checked in with the country's largest privately owned construction company - Naylor Love - whose main focus lies in commercial projects. The picture was mixed, with CEO Bruno Goedeke saying things were looking up. And so, eight months later, how...

A big conservation project on the East Cape is thrilled to discover no traces of rats in a large block of the Raukumara Range where a small but mighty population of kiwi live. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti Reporter Alexa Cook reports.

Minor parties have a major role to play in this election, and last night they took to the stage to make their case to voters in the New Zealand Herald's Powerbrokers debate. RNZ's Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Minor parties have a major role to play in this election, and last night they took to the stage to make their case to voters in the New Zealand Herald's Powerbrokers debate. Political reporter Lauren Crimp watched it unfold.

Business update for 22 October 2026.

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

East coast iwi Ngati Kahungunu is calling on the British Museum to return hundreds of Maori taonga, currently held in its collection. The Iwi's chairman says many of the items may have been taken from their whenua and burial grounds, and he wants the New Zealand Government to help bring them home. But a UK law makes it difficult for the museum to permanently return items from its collection. Ngati...

A Dunedin refuge is facing unprecedented and escalating demand as it marks 50 years of supporting women and children. Otepoti Dunedin Whanau Refuge triaged close to 150 referrals in September alone - usually it's closer to 90 and even that figure has jumped in recent years. Tess Brunton reports.

New Zealand MPs are facing growing threats and abuse, prompting Parliament to ramp up security. Speaker Gerry Brownlee says the situation has worsened significantly, with a specialist parliamentary security team handling more than 200 requests for help in just three weeks. It comes as Australian MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition following a serious attack in her constituency. Gerry B...

Primary health continues to be a huge issue this election, with early intervention seen as a way of easing pressure on hospitals. GP Dr Geoff Cunningham is a partner at Bush Road Medical Centre in Whangarei. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Business News for 22 October 2026.

Christchurch has kicked off the biggest week in its sporting history. The Silver Ferns played Australia last night. The Black Caps face India tonight and on Saturday. Plus there's the NPC final between Canterbury and Northland on Labour Day. Add to that, the Rugby League World Cup doubleheader at Te Kaha Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Caroline Harvie-Teare is the chief executive of Venues Otautahi a...

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has met with President Vladimir Putin in Russia. He presented the Russian leader with suggestions for the basis of a ceasefire, and suggested a renewal of trilateral peace talks with Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov has since commented that Russia is ready to resume the talks next month. It comes after Mr Witkoff met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelen...

News from the rural farming sector.