Morning Report

The Auckland electorate seat of Mt Albert could prove pivotal for National as it plots its way back to power. Labour have held the seat for decades but nearly lost it in 2023, only holding on by the slimmest of margins. But, there is a new contender whose party could tip the balance of power come November 7. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to the candidates.

Last month, four New Zealand engineers flew to Venezuela to help in the aftermath of the devastating double quakes, which hit the western and central parts of the country in June, leaving more than 6000 people dead. Nearly 200 buildings collapsed in the quakes while more than 16-thousand structures were deemed unsafe. For the Kiwi engineers, it was a chance to learn about what New Zealand could do...

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

The Treasury will today reveal the state of the Government's books, and it may lead to more tax policy announcements. Nicola Willis, in her role as National's finance spokesperson, has said she's interested in the possibility of tax brackets adjustments, and indicated there may be more for her to say after today's announcement. But is now the time to move the thresholds? Money correspondent Susan...

A woman arrested in the first operation by the Government's black market tobacco action group has appeared in Auckland District Court. She's been charged with the sale of uncustomed goods, and is likely to join others charged in Hamilton. Auckland reporter Finn Blackwell who's been investigating the tobacco black market this year spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The developers behind a housing project at the base of Mt Iron say it could help ease Wanaka's housing crisis. The Mt Iron Junction scheme will deliver 250 homes and community facilities, but opponents have questioned its scale, traffic impacts and effects on the landscape. And after years of wrangling with the RMA, the project has now been given fast-track approval. One of the developers, Steve S...

Both National and Labour's party vote has tumbled into the 20s in the latest 1News Verian Poll, with minor parties picking up support. It represents a continuation of a trend we've been seeing in the lead up to November's election, as the campaign proper gets underway. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

As part of RNZ's series - Meth Toll, yesterday we heard about 57-year-old Deeann Herkt, who has now been sober for 11 years. In 2015, she referred herself to the Salvation Army Bridge Programme in Auckland, where she met a counsellor with a lived experience of meth addiction, who became a key navigator in her road to recovery. Emma Hunter, Service Development Lead at Salvation Army spoke to Ingrid...

A small rural town in Central Hawke's Bay is battling a big problem, it has one of the highest levels of meth in the country. In 2024, Waipukurau's wastewater testing revealed the biggest increase in meth consumption in the country, and since then the community has come together to tackle the issue. In the second instalment of our series Meth Toll, our Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook ta...

Later today, Treasury will open the books and reveal the state of the government accounts, just as the election campaign is getting underway. Business editor Corin Dann, and our political editor Jo Moir will head into the Treasury lock-up this morning. They spoke to John Campbell ahead of lock-up.

Business update for 29 September 2026.

Business update for 29 September 2026.

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

A family renting a new build home says their living space reaches unbearable temperatures because of the way it was built. Yesterday, we heard how building officials won't make changes to fix overheating houses for another five years. Nick Maarhuis lives in a home that overheats, and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An estimated one in ten eligible voters have not yet enrolled to vote, with less than a month to go before the deadline. Changes to electoral law introduced mean people need to enrol or update their details before midnight on October 25 to be able to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said over the weekend the Electoral Commission could be doing more to encourage enrolments. Kar...

Yesterday, Chris Hipkins went to Christchurch, and Christopher Luxon stayed in Auckland, visiting an electorate National won for the first time ever in 2023, Mt Roskill. Labour losing that seat was emblematic of just how damaging the swing against them was in Auckland, last election. John Campbell asked local voters what issues they'll be voting on, this election.

Surging diesel prices are once again being felt across the transport industry. Diesel prices are sitting at around $3.18 a litre, the highest point since May. That's as diesel prices reach an all time high in the UK and the US considers banning diesel exports. Here, Booth's Logistics has 480 trucks on the roads around the country and has seen its fuel bill spike in recent weeks. Its chief executiv...

Business News for 29 September 2026.

Visitors to the Mackenzie District may soon struggle to find a free toilet, the council is meeting today to consider introducing a user-pays system. The district's toilets receive close to a million users a year, paid toilets currently generate $80,000 a year, the council says that's not enough. Mackenzie District Mayor Scott Aronsen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The five men arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after an incident near a UK Royal Airforce Base have been released on bail. BBC's Security Correspondent Frank Gardner spoke to John Campbell.

News from the rural farming sector.

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

The latest polling may not have shaken up the left and right blocs but it's once again the major parties bleeding. After their launches over the weekend, campaigning has begun in earnest - and National is shoring up support by talking down tactical voting. And Labour will be under pressure to show its numbers add up once the government books open today. Political reporter Russell Palmer reports.

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

Auckland Council is facing similar risk management challenges as Tauranga City Council when it comes to the risk of landslides. Ross Roberts is the chief engineer at Auckland Council, and co-author of a paper about risk, risk management, and what Mauao tells Auckland, that councillors will discuss today. He spoke to John Campbell.