Morning Report

The Film Commission is scrapping a major source of public funding for ten industry groups. It announced yesterday that a more than $1 million pot divided up among the screen sector bodies will stop from the end of June next year. It means groups like the Screen Producers Guild and the actors' union, Equity, will lose funds. Women in Film and Television - known as WIFT - is also affected. Its Executive Director Patricia Watson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

For most people staring down a sentence for drug-related crime, the result is prison. But, in Auckland, there's another way. As part of our five-part series on meth addiction, RNZ has taken a look inside an innovative court that aims to rehabilitate, rather than incarcerate. Finn Blackwell has the story.

Veteran sports journalist and broadcaster Phil Gifford has died aged 79. Blessed with a laconic turn of phrase and insightful wisdom, he was twice named New Zealand sportswriter of the year, and three times won the sports columnist prize. Fellow sports journalist Tony Johnson spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Springtime graduation ceremonies have been taking place across the country, but while the weather may be starting to improve, the climate in the job market for new grads remains particularly bleak. Matthew Theunissen reports.

Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at new data showing how credit scores vary around the country, and between age groups. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Warehouse Group is a revenue monster, $3 billion in sales, but net profit after tax $11.2 million. Stefan Knight, Warehouse Group chief financial officer spoke to John Campbell.

Councils around the country are re-assessing how they manage the natural hazards facing their communities, after an independent report found the six deaths in the February Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable. Selwyn District Council chief executive Steve Gibling spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A full-scale train model allows passengers, accessibility advocates and train crews to provide feedback before the 18 battery-electric trains are manufactured. Greater Wellington is leading the Tuhono programme, and council chair Daran Ponter spoke to John Campbell.

The fiscal debate is back on the campaign trail, as the National Party reboots its claims of a hidden bill in Labour's manifesto. But Labour has fired back, saying there is no bill and National should stop spreading lies. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In the swing seat of Hutt South, a cabinet minister's career is potentially on the line this election. National's Chris Bishop won the seat by just over 13-hundred votes in 2023, having lost it to Labour's Ginny Anderson in 2020. But with National's party vote low - keeping his seat could be key to him remaining in Parliament. So what's the electorate thinking? Mary Argue talked to some locals.

An early morning sports news update.

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

From today, drivers, cyclists and e-scooter riders face several changes to the road rules. A's Research & Road Safety Manager, Dylan Thomsen discussed the changes with John Campbell.

Auckland's average asking price has slipped under the $1 million mark for the first time in six years. Data out this morning from realestate.co.nz shows the region's asking price for September was $993,000. Auckland real estate agent Diego Traglia spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal cancer surgeries are being cancelled and patients are being transferred as far as Christchurch after two Southland urologists quit. Health New Zealand has approved pay rates of $3000 a day for locums to fill the gap. Chief Executive of the Cancer Society Southern, Christine Prince spoke to John Campbell.

Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal cancer surgeries are being cancelled and patients are being transferred as far as Christchurch after two Southland urologists quit. Health New Zealand has approved pay rates of $3000 a day for locums to fill the gap. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd reports.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

Researchers have been investigating the impact of using RAT tests to detect influenza, Covid-19 and RSV at GP clinics, to see if they improve treatment and help curb the spread of winter illnesses. Professor Maria Stubbe co-authored the study, she's from Otago University's Department of Primary Health Care and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The heads of some of the world's leading tech companies have signed on to a morally binding series of commitments to undertake AI testing in a safe and responsible way. Connor Leahy is the US executive director of ControlAI, a non-profit organisation focused on controlling potential risks posed by superintelligent AI. Leahy spoke to John Campbell.

Politicians went head to head on some big issues affecting rural New Zealand, last night. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins hit the streets of New Plymouth yesterday, addressing a public meeting and hearing from locals about the issues they want to see dealt with. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was there.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world James Gooderson.

A Dutch environmental group is lodging the first complaint of its kind through the European Commission, which could suspend trade. University of Canterbury political scientist Professor Bronwyn Hayward spoke to John Campbell.

Nicola Willis discusses Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update; Political Panel: Paul Goldsmith and Arena Williams; Chloe Swarbrick discusses rise in polls; Jo Moir and Corin Dann discuss pre-election fiscal update.

With every household in the country throwing away an average of 32 kg of food a year, the government's putting a little extra into initiatives trying to curb the waste. Three organisations will share $1.7 million as part of the National Food Waste Reduction Programme. The "Love Food Hate Waste" campaign is one of the three recipients. Project Manager Sophie Wolland spoke to John Campbell.

From today the free bowel cancer screening age starts lowering from 58 years old to 56. The latest change is a phased roll out, happening region by region, and means another 200,000 New Zealanders are eligible for a free home test. Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in Aotearoa. More than 1,200 people die from it annually, and yet when it's caught early, it's one of the most treatable cancers there is. Bowel Cancer New Zealand chief executive Peter Huskinson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Punters, pundits and politicians are eyeing one of Auckland's most competitive electorates as a bellwether for the rest of New Zealand. In 2023, Maungakiekie's party vote was the closest to New Zealand's overall result - making it a seat to watch. Felix Walton has more.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Diesel prices are pushing up again, and there's a warning we might see the impact when we're shopping for food. But how much and when? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at it and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

More than 170,000 young people aged 18 to 24 are not enrolled to vote in this year's general election. The Electoral Commission told RNZ yesterday just 61 percent of young people are enrolled, down from 77 percent at the 2023 election. RNZ spoke to students about what's putting young people off voting, and why they think their voices matter. Maori News journalist Layla Bailey-McDowell with this report.

National's Paul Goldsmith and Labour's Arena Williams spoke to John Campbell on Morning Report's political panel.

Piriwiritua Rurawhe, Adrian Paki Rurawhe's first cousin and family spokesperson spoke to John Campbell.

The government's finances are looking rosier than expected - in part because of higher tax take because of inflation. Joining us now to break it all down is RNZ's Political Editor Jo Moir and our Business Editor Corin Dann.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Councils around the country are looking to follow Auckland in scrapping postal voting for local elections. Auckland councillors have voted to bring back in-person voting for the 2028 local elections, becoming the first council to use polling booths since 1992. Local Government New Zealand wants that change rolled out nationwide. South Wairarapa mayor and Chair of LGNZ's Local Government System Reference Group Dame Fran Wilde spoke to John Campbell.

Kaikohe is the so-called 'Meth Capital of New Zealand' - but a rehabilitation program run on a shoestring budget is changing lives. In the third instalment of RNZ's Meth Toll series, Serena Solomon and Jessica Hopkins followed a registered nurse who works seven days a week, helping hundreds fight meth addiction. Jessica Hopkins filed this report.

Tauranga City Council's chief executive Marty Grenfell has stepped down six weeks after a damning review found January's deadly landslide was preventable. In the report, retired High Court judge Paul Davison outlined a systemic failure where responsibility for the risk fell between different parts of the council and no one was ultimately managing it. But no one person was ever held responsible. Safety and employment lawyer Hazel Armstrong has sat on a number of boards, including the Ports of Auckland when they had to deal with workplace deaths. Armstrong spoke to John Campbell.

Higher tax revenues are helping the Government's books, with the Treasury yesterday unveiling rosier than expected forecasts. The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update is picking a return to surplus in the 2028/29 financial year, with deficit predictions also lower in the years leading up to it. Treasury says uncertainties remain, particularly from the risk of further oil shocks from the Middle East conflict. And longer term Treasury Secretary Iain Rennie said the country's financial position is "unsustainable" because of the aging population. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

From tomorrow, Auckland Transport as it currently is will cease to exist, with many of its non-public transport functions moving under the control of the city's councillors and local board members. The changes will give local boards some new powers to make decisions on local roads including setting speed limits, closing roads for events, managing parking and creating cycleways. East Auckland-based Howick Local Board member Damian Light spoke to John Campbell.

Russia has continued to ramp up its attacks on Ukraine, including in the capital Kyiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says multiple regions have come under attack this week. BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Paul Adams, who is in Ukraine spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

New Zealand's farming industry representatives are set to present their case to the US over its investigation into lamb exports, meanwhile America is still likely a year away from herd rebuilding it's beef herd. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

Now that Labour's got its hands on the government's books, the pressure's piling on for them to explain how it'll pay for its promises, particularly pay equity. But it's not the only political party on notice. National will need to explain where it plans to cut costs if it wants to make the rosy projections a reality, and while Nicola Willis has raised the possibility of tax cuts, economists are saying: not yet. Political reporter Russell Palmer has the story.

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

The Greens recorded their highest ever poll result this week - 16 percent in the 1News Verian poll. Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick says if it makes it into government, the party will expect some hefty portfolios. Chloe Swarbrick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode Chris Hipkins discusses Labour's latest poll result; Councillors meet to discuss Auckland landslide risks; Booth's Logistics boss discusses fuel price rises; John Campbell talks to voters in Mt Roskill electorate.

A new library has opened in Cannons Creek. Residents checked out the new space yesterday, with activities, kai, performances, face painting and story telling on offer. Porirua Libraries manager Brian Anderson spoke to John Campbell.

A decade after the last plan for revitalising Nelson's waterfront was shelved, the council has come up with a new proposal to make the most of the coastline near the city. The section of Haven Road from Port Nelson towards Tahunanui is currently home to several empty buildings and only a handful of cafes and restaurants. The council is working on a masterplan for the area and wants feedback from locals. Samantha Gee reports.

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 better, when it comes to earthquake resilience. University of Canterbury civil and environmental engineering Professor Santiago Pujol, director of the earthquake research centre, QuakeCore spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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 Edmunds has been looking into it and spoke to John Campbell.

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 Schikker, spoke to John Campbell.

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 Hipkiss.

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 takes a look at the impact addiction is having on the town and the effort it's making to try and turn things around.

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.

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.

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.

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. Karl Le Quesne is the chief electoral officer and CEO of the Electoral Commission. Le Quesne spoke to John Campbell.

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 executive Dallas Vince spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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.

Jo Moir on National and Labour's campaign launches; Kelly Eckhold discusses increasing cost of fuel; Shanan Halbert discusses Labour's new student loan policy; Hamilton to host student-led, independent TED talk event

We crossed the tasman to speak to our Australia correspondent, Emma Cropper.

A team of Waikato students are teaming up to plan a night of presentations and performances centred around the theme of "Unwritten Futures". And leading the TEDx event's organisation is 13-year-old Abir Mahajan a Year 9 student at St Peter's School in Cambridge. He spoke to John Campbell.

Labour is vying to win back Wellington this election, in what's shaping up to be a neck-and-neck race for the new Wellington Bays seat. Wellington Issues reporter Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

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

Market Update for 28 September 2028.

We've heard a lot in recent years about how many more people are turning to their KiwiSaver accounts when they're in financial strife. But the Retirement Commissioner is doing some work to look into whether all those claims are being submitted in good faith. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to John Campbell.

A grandmother who began using meth as a teen is now clean and inspiring others to change their lives. In the first instalment of RNZ's new series Meth Toll, Serena Solomon and Jessica Hopkins visited the Northland town of Kaikohe.

Labour is promising to wipe ten percent off the student-loan balances of some borrowers. Labour's tertiary education spokesperson Shanan Halbert spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Despite a warming climate, and a super-sized El Nino looming this summer, building officials will not make any changes to fix overheating houses for another five years at least. New Zealand Green Building Council chief executive Andrew Eagles spoke to John Campbell.

National Party Leader Christopher Luxon spoke to John Campbell following National's election campaign launch.

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

It's day one of the school holidays, and many parents will be struggling with balancing work and childcare. It's a constant juggle for working parents dealing with a mismatch of annual leave and 12 weeks of school holidays a year. The issue was raised by advocacy group The Parenthood, in Australia last week. Its CEO Georgia Dent spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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

Northland Regional Council has voted in favour of a reduced-hours-same-pay regime for staff to save money on payrises. HR expert and MyHR's Chief Evangelist Sylvie Thrush-Marsh spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Fuel prices are climbing sharply across New Zealand again, with economists expecting them to keep rising. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a ban on US diesel exports - hoping to bring down diesel prices on home soil ahead of their mid-term elections in November. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to John Campbell following National and Labour's campaign launches at the weekend.

Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch was in Auckland for Labour's campaign launch.

The Black Ferns coach is praising her team for chasing a win over England, when they could have taken a draw when the clock struck 80 minutes. Instead, they ended up losing to the Red Roses, who are now on a 41 match-long undefeated streak. Close to 60,000 people watched the match at Twickenham. Among them Melissa Chan-Green, who spoke to John Campbell.

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act at a UK Royal Air Force base. Correspondent John Bevir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

News from the rural farming sector.