Morning Report

TEC defends limits on nursing student enrolments; Willie Jackson on Labour's push for Maori party votes; Craig McCulloch on the second Luxon-Hipkins debate; Is New Zealand's brain drain to Australia slowing?

For ten years, a volunteer group has been trapping predators across 300 hectares of the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. In that time, they've removed more than 24,000 pests, bringing back native birds, bats and plants. And now they're venturing into new territory where they'll be trialling AI traps. Whakamarama Forest Project long-time trapper Alison McCulloch spoke to John Campbell.

It wasn't only party heavyweights going head-to-head on the campaign trail last night. In Stratford the leading contenders in the Whanganui electorate faced-off at a debate hosted by Federated Farmers at the TET Multisports Complex. Before heading along, our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin hit Broadway to gauge interest in the up-coming election.

Costco might be heading for Christchurch. The American discount retailer is reportedly seeking fast track approval to open in the Garden City. If it gets the green light, it will likely be seen as another feather in the cap for a city that's thriving. John Plato, co-founder of Christchurch marketing and advertising agency Plato spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

When you hear music in a shop, or restaurant, or on the radio, a small part of that business's revenue ends up in the pocket of the songwriters. The agency responsible for making that happen in Australia in New Zealand is APRA - now in its 100th year. And for the past 61 years, the organisation has been recognising the best songwriters, with the APRA Silver Scroll. Hugh Sundae reports.

An early morning sports news update.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

Auckland's experience of the past 10 years shows that a key way to slow house price growth is to keep on top of supply. That's according to property data firm Cotality, which has released a new research note looking at how prices have moved over the past 10 years and since the peak. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Last night's ASB Great Debate in Queenstown put political leaders on the spot over fiscal fixes, food prices and the future of the economy. RNZ's Business Editor Corin Dann was at the finance debate and spoke to John Campbell.

The government says AI could make the public sector more efficient, favouring a 'light touch' approach to regulation relying on existing laws to manage risks. Wellington consultancy Dragonfly Data Sciences is already working with government agencies, including analysis of public submissions. Dragonfly's founder and director, and one of its principal data scientists, Edward Abraham spoke to Ingrid...

The Red Cross is partnering with Uber this weekend to make it easier to donate. People in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be able to order an Uber to pick up good quality, pre-loved clothing from their doorstep. Last year, more than 64,000 kilograms of clothing was donated through the drive, helping the Red Cross raise money for humanitarian programmes. Sophie Jones from the Red Cross s...

The battle for the Maori vote is shaping up to be a key contest in the 2026 election. In 2023, Te Pati Maori won six of the seven Maori electorates. This year it's asking supporters to split their votes, backing TPM electorate candidates and giving their party vote to Labour or the Greens. So, is Labour picking up that party-vote support at levels that might once have seemed almost guaranteed? Lab...

A spike in fraudulent study visa applications has prompted a dramatic increase in the number of foreign students being turned away. In the past three months, Immigration New Zealand has declined 70 percent of applications from Bangladesh and 39 percent from India - nearly double the normal rates. Our education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

An early morning sports news update.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

National is promising to bring back minimum car-parking requirements for new developments. The requirements were originally abolished by Labour, in an aim to encourage intensification and reduce car dependency. But National says the change has clogged streets and pushed cars onto berms and footpaths. Developer and Ockham Residential co-founder, Mark Todd spoke to John Campbell.

The second showdown of the two Chris' took place last night. Luxon versus Hipkins, the sequel, this time in the New Zealand Herald leaders' debate. How did they go? For more on the debate we're joined by RNZ's Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch.

The second showdown of the two Chris' took place last night. Luxon versus Hipkins, the sequel, this time in the New Zealand Herald leaders' debate. How did they go? Political reporter Lauren Crimp reports.

The Tertiary Education Commission is defending its decision to limit the number of people training to be a nurse. It has written to tertiary providers asking them to limit nursing enrolments next year, because there are not enough student placement spots available in hospitals. Health New Zealand says student nurses need experienced clinicians available to provide appropriate supervision for their...

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

The Otago University Consumer Lifestyles Study has just released its eighth study in a series dating back to 1979, looking at the impact of rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and the rapid change in technology on our thinking and behaviour as consumers. Lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins spoke to John Campbell.

Russian strikes have left 600,000 people without power in Ukraine, as attacks on energy infrastructure continue. Russia says it hit four power plants near Kyiv, and two in the city of Kharkiv. That's despite an "energy ceasefire" announced by US president Donald Trump earlier this week. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky is in London meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. BBC Monitoring'...

A recent report suggests a large Hawke's Bay water storage project should help pump money into the region - if it goes ahead, meanwhile arable growers seem more confident following a good start to spring, but they're still cautious about what crops they plant. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

One stage, six very different ideas about how to steer the nation's finances. Last night's ASB Great Debate in Queenstown put political leaders on the spot over fiscal fixes, food prices and the future of the economy. As battle lines were drawn between the leaders and finance spokespeople of Labour, the Greens, ACT, National, Opportunity and New Zealand First. RNZ Otago Southland reporter Katie To...