Morning Report

National wants to pursue the structural separation of Foodstuffs, which would see New World and Four Square as one nationwide chain, and PAK'nSAVE as another. Dean Waddell, owner of Pak'nSave Tauranga, and chairperson of Foodstuffs North Island spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Sports News for 17 September 2026.

Business News for 17 September 2026.

A New Zealander delivering aid in Ukraine says their vehicles have been directly targeted by Russian drones, with multiple destroyed, and team members injured. Tenby Powell is Chair of Kiwi K.A.R.E a humanitarian organisation that has been operating on the ground in Ukraine since 2022. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, says the EU must urgently reimagine its partnerships. William Denselow spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Brussels.

News from the rural farming sector.

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

Foodstuffs says National's idea to break it up into competing chains would have significant implications for its supermarkets. The coalition is split over the idea, while the opposition says more is needed. Political reporter Russell Palmer reports.

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

Fiji's government has declared a national HIV emergency, driven by a rapid rise in infections. The virus has taken hold in the island nation in recent years, with an estimated one in 60 Fijians now living with it. University of Canterbury senior lecturer and University of Fiji Adjunct professor Dr Jalal Mohammed spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Sports News for 17 September 2026.

On today's episode Simeon Brown responds to concerns over health care system; Weekly Political Panel with Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni; Aroturuki Tamariki reacts to Phillips investigation; Should Christchurch invest in commuter rail?

It took only a matter of hours for the Warriors faithful to snap up tickets to Sunday's elimination final at Eden Park. The stadium has about double the capacity of their usual home at Mt Smart. Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner spoke to John Campbell.

Anyone planning a spring camping trip to Piha on Auckland's West Coast is currently out of luck. Auckland Council has shut the beach's only campground... and when, or even if, it will reopen is uncertain. Council says it's investigating flood risk and safety of campers, while the long time camp manager says she's in the dark, and out of pocket. Ross McNaughton reports.

Local government minister Simon Watts is moving to ban voting rights for non-elected members of council committees. And yesterday confirmed that it will include Houkura - Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board. Houkura chair David Taipari spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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

Business update for 16 September 2026.

An on-site nanny or extra sick days might sound like something out of a fever dream to a lot of new parents. But updated data on parental leave policies shows that some employers are doing much more than the bare minimum to support their staff when they have children. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland's Heart of the City business association will be hoping to put a tumultuous year behind it when it elects a new board at a special general meeting. Luka Forman reports.

Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel.

Has the success of Auckland's City Rail Link sparked a desire for passenger rail in other parts of the country? Christchurch is booming, while the nearby town of Rolleston is now New Zealand's fastest growing town. Council chair Deon Swiggs spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A damning report into authorities handling of the Tom Phillips case has exposed a litany of failures and mistakes in the way the case was handled. Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to John Campbell about reaction to the inquiry.

It's one of the jewels in New Zealand's tourism crown, but Queenstown is also becoming well known for its chronic traffic jams. Just how bad is it out there? Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd hit the road to find out.

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

Business update for 16 September 2026.