Morning Report

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.

Building officials say comprehensive changes to fix overheating in new houses won't be looked at until a review of the Building Code in 2031. Advocates are now dismayed there won't be a fix for years, saying the dangerous problem is only getting worse as temperatures rise. Climate change correspondent Kate Newton filed this report.

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

An early morning sports news update.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

A slew of foreign imports threaten the survival of the citrus industry, with domestic sales worth not much more than imports sold here. Dr Victoria Hatton is a food futurist who says the industry needs an exciting, patented export to compete with the rest of the world. Victoria Hatton spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Education Secretary on OIA avoidance allegations; Tusha Penny on changes to police mental health response; Black Ferns legend, Sarah Hirini announces her return; 14yo wins bi-lingual speech competition in Kaikohe

We cross the Tasman to talk to our correspondent Richard Willingham from ABC in Victoria.

It's been about six weeks since the Greyhound racing ban came into effect, and there are hundreds of Greyhounds around the country who need re-homing. A worldwide event that traditionally celebrated the Greyhound community now has another purpose, putting the dogs' best paw forward to encourage adoption. The Great Greyhound Global Walk takes place on Sunday morning in 20 towns and cities. Lisa Philp from Greyhounds As Pets spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Dannevirke residents are demanding accountability over the state of healthcare in Tararua, echoing calls from other towns in the region. Around 200 locals attended a meeting at the Dannevirke Town Hall last night. Health New Zealand has put a temporary halt on Dannevirke Community Hospital taking new patients while it finds more clinical staff, following a number of resignations. Maori News Journalist Pokere Paewai was at the meeting and spoke to John Campbell.

Wigram was one of the closest races at the last election with veteran Labour MP Megan Woods holding on by less than 1200 votes. But it's a different seat now, picking up large swathes of the largely rural and safe blue neighbouring seat of Selwyn in last year's boundary changes. Timothy Brown took a trip from the centre of the Garden City to the farms now on Wigram's southern border as part of our series on the electorates to watch.

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

Home loan rates are moving up, but it's not just because of the OCR. We can blame international factors too, but the banks are reluctant to shift on one term in particular. Money correspondent and the host of the No Stupid Questions podcast, Susan Edmunds has been looking at this and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

1 News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and All Black and Manu Samoa player, Lima Sopoaga join Morning Report for this week's sports panel.

A number of mayors have expressed their deep frustrations in the government's plans to amalgamate councils, only to have the process delayed. Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker spoke to John Campbell.

Some of the motu's top secondary school speakers have taken to the stage at the Nga Manu Korero national speech competition. Held over the weekend in Kaikohe, the bi-lingual speech competition celebrated its sixty-first edition. Competitors can choose to speak in Maori or English. 14-year-old Arihia Phillips won the Ta Turi Kara Sir Turi Carroll Junior English section in front of her hometown crowd. Phillips spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

The Australian government has launched a taskforce to investigate a rogue AI agent accessing protected government data. AI ethicist and researcher Bec Johnson has worked at Google as part of its AI ethics team and is a lecturer at the university of Sydney spoke to John Campbell.

Earlier this year the government gave councils a three month deadline to submit plans to simplify and reform, or it would make plans for them. But that's changed, with the local government minister deferring decisions until after the election. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

An early morning sports news update.

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

Black Ferns legend, Sarah Hirini has re-signed with the Black Ferns Sevens to the end of 2028, giving her a shot at the LA Olympics. Hirini spoke to John Campbell.

Police are aiming for a 30 minute handover of mental health patients at emergency departments, as it rolls out the final phase of its withdrawal from mental health related jobs. Assistant Police Commissioner Tusha Penny spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's a growing number of allegations that Education Ministry managers have actively tried to avoid scrutiny via the Official Information Act. The Ombudsman will meet with Secretary of Education, Ellen MacGregor-Reid, this morning about the issue, and an internal review is underway. Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

President Donald Trump has welcomed his Chinese counterpart to the US for a historic three-day visit. The two have struck a deal to extend their trade war truce, which was initially due to expire in November. Associate Professor at the University of Otago, Nicholas Khoo spoke to John Campbell.about what this could mean for New Zealand.

A judge has ordered the White House to restore media outlets President Donald Trump had banned. CNN, Politico and MS Now journalists have had their press badges reinstated. However, some reporters were still denied entry following the court decision. Correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkis from Washington DC.

The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.