Morning Report

Wayne Brown calls National's Mill Road plan 'idiotic'; Region flights a lifeline for remote economies; Political Editor Jo Moir analyses TVNZ leaders debate; Surge in popularity of Chinese EV maker BYD

Local leaders in Hamilton are promising to take action over a rise in violence and bad behaviour in the city's CBD. Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe is organising a meeting this week with council, local businesses, and social services to discuss the issue. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A student doctor is about to embark on an epic road trip across the country, with the aim of finding the greatest public toilet. Jahman Cochrane has Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel condition that can affect the entire digestive tract. So clean, accessible toilets are a must for him and others with the condition. Cochrane spoke to John Campbell.

New rules have come into force that limit what merchants can be charged for accepting card payments. But consumers and retailers say it's not yet had the impact they were hoping for. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking into it.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Labour's Barbara Edmonds and National's Nicola Willis face-off in Morning Report's finance debate with John Campbell.

Since the Iran conflict began, the sale of EVs has skyrocketed. In Australia, Chinese EV maker BYD is now the country's second most popular car by sales volume, behind Toyota. New Zealand Autocar magazine's managing editor Richard Edwards spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

All eyes are on which way the South Auckland electorate of Takanini will go, in the upcoming election. Labour comfortably won the seat after it was created in 2020, but National won it easily, three years later. RNZ Asia's Gaurav Sharma has been speaking to the two main candidates as well as voters on the ground to better understand the dynamics of the pivotal race. Sharma spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Auckland's Mayor has come out swinging at politicians, telling them to stop making promises and expecting Aucklanders to foot the bill. Mayor Wayne Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

RNZ can reveal Napier City Council received a number of complaints about a deadly intersection where a pregnant woman was killed earlier this year. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has the story.

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins have put their respective records up against each other in the first televised debate of the election campaign. RNZ's Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

Regional flights are a lifeline for some of New Zealand's most remote townships, but as fuel prices have gone up, flight routes have been cut. Luke Robertson, owner of Short Jaw Brewery and the chair of the newly formed Westport Enterprise Network. He spoke to John Campbell.

Tens of thousands of students, parents, and teachers have taken to streets across France to protest under-investment in schools. Correspondent William Denselow spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Paris.

Canterbury irrigation specialist fears thieves targeting large pivot irrigators used on farms for their copper wiring could end up being killed, meanwhile prices regain lost ground at the Global Dairy Trade auction and Bay of Plenty dairy farmers are nearing the end of calving. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head to head in last night's TVNZ leaders' debate, with arguments over the cost of living, and accusations of lies. and unfunded promises. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch watched the showdown.

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

As Kiwis increasingly tap, swipe and scan their way through everyday purchases, new research suggests some older people are less positive about the change. Payments NZ's Consumer Research survey found three quarters of respondents are concerned about fraud and scams when making payments. Darryl Dorrington teaches seniors how to stay safe online at the Eden-Roskill SeniorNet. He spoke to Ingrid Hip...

Political editor Jo Moir analyses latest RNZ poll; Weekly interview with opposition leader, Chris Hipkins; Petrol prices reach highest level since start of Iran-US war; Concern over AI use of photos of children

The 22-year-old netballer Catherine Hall went from fulltime medical student to winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with the Silver Ferns. But now as she recovers from an ACL rupture she has been named sportswoman of the year at Auckland university. Hall spoke to John Campbell.

A 72 percent drop in the number of engineering jobs over the last two years is sparking concerns about the workforce and crucial work placements for would-be graduates. Engineering students can't graduate until they clock up 800 hours experience, with 400 of those hours needing to be engineering-related work through an internship or job. Brett Williams, General Manager Global for Engineering New Z...