Morning Report

Astronomy fans seem a well-prepared bunch, with anticipation already building for a total solar eclipse two years away. On July 22, 2028, Otago will be one of the few places in the world where people will be able to experience the eclipse's full effect. Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin.

A rural Auckland school that decommissioned its drinking fountains because of contamination scares is pleased to see new funding for school water upgrades. Otaua School principal Anna Voyce spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning sports news update.

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

The cost of living was a key focus in the 2023 election. Three years on, are households feeling any better about it? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at how our financial lives compare and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland University is facing criticism from its own staff over its handling of sexual assault, bullying and harassment allegations against a former chemistry professor. Ke-Xin Li reports.

Residents on the capital's south coast are preparing for a swell of around 8 metres. Field reporter Charlotte Cook spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

Four Australian cops are going through a fast tracked training programme so they can be officers here. Assistant Commissioner Deployment Jeanette Park spoke to John Campbell.

Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins talks to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Waterfront properties in a number of Wellington bays have been told to evacuate with swells of up to eight metres expected. Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management Controller Sam Bishop spoke to John Campbell. MetService has issued heavy swell warnings in Wairarapa - between Turakirae Head and Mataikona. John also spoke to Luke Tipoki from the Lake Ferry Hotel on the Wairarapa coast.

The police commissioner has rebuked a superintendent who's standing for Labour at the election. Rakesh Naidoo has been placed thirteenth on Labour's list - meaning he's almost guaranteed a seat in Parliament. RNZ's Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority's Lead Advisor, Dr Gareth Gretton explains practical ways you can save on your power bill as the cost of energy continues to rise.

People in the Canterbury town of Ashburton are calling for a builder to be barred from future work, saying they have lost tens of thousands of dollars on unfinished jobs. Katie Todd reports.

The fishing practice of bottom trawling has become a political issue as environmental groups call for further restrictions. Rex Chapman, skipper of the Tokatu, Sealord's largest fishing vessel, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Hundreds of people on Wellington's south coast have been ordered to evacuate their homes with huge swells expected later today. Sue Reid has lived in Owhiro Bay for 20 years and spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

Auckland councillors will decide today how to intensify housing in the city. There are four options on the table, each with varying levels of intensification. Auckland councillor Richard Hills spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Associated Press journalist Julia Frankel spoke to John Campbell from Jerusalem as Iran and Israel agree to halt their attacks on each other for now.

The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

It's six months since Swedish furniture giant Ikea opened its first New Zealand store to much fanfare. But despite the ongoing cost of living crisis and conflict in the Middle East, overall spending on furniture and homewares remains strong. And it's not the only company benefitting. Rachel Helyer Donaldson reports.

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

The rural economy is awash with good news on the revenue front. Consumer spending figures from Cuscal Paymark, show consumer spending reached 3.8 billion dollars in May, that's up 1.2 percent, year on year. But in Waikato, the increase was 4.6 percent, 280 percent above the national average. Don Good, chief executive of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce spoke to John Campbell.