Morning Report
RNZ National’s flagship news programme, known for breaking news stories and incisive interviews with politicians, newsmakers and commentators from Aotearoa and around the world. Hosted by Ingrid Hipkiss and John Campbell.
Episodes
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 28 July 2026
Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to Corin Dann; Dr Mamaeroa David on protecting against winter illness; Major disruption to businesses as slips continue at mount; Former trade minister Tim Groser discusses latest US tariffs; Experts explain recent earthquake activity.
NZ film festival’s artistic director Paolo Bertolin
International Film Festival has showcased feature films from across the globe, kicking off at the Civic with the Aotearoa premiere of drama Big Girls Don't Cry, directed by Kiwi Paloma Schneideman. Artistic director Paolo Bertolin spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Lewis Clareburt wins New Zealand's first gold in the pool
Our reporter Adam Burns in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games and saw it all happen.
Hunters help stock food banks with venison
With food costs on the up, a national programme to get hunters donating game to local food banks is hitting the mark. Game Changer NZ is helping hunters connect with butchers so they can safely share their kills with those in need. Wayne Langford is the founder of Wild Game Recovery Trust and spoke to Corin Dann.
Bill Hammond painting tipped to fetch $1.8 million
An iconic New Zealand painting by artist Bill Hammond is going under the hammer, and it's expected to fetch up to $1.8 million. Luka Forman reports.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
Paid parental leave back in political spotlight
Parental leave is back in the news again, with National promising to increase the number of weeks that people can take off, paid, when they have a baby. But some employers are already offering a lot more than the minimum. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking into it and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Experts explain recent earthquake activity
It's been a shaky few days with a number of strong earthquakes around the country. A magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Taumaranui on Saturday was felt across much of the North Island, and has been followed by dozens of aftershocks. It came just over a week after another magnitude 5.9 quake near Te Anau. Earth Sciences Chief Scientist for Earthquake Hazards, Anna Kaiser spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to Corin Dann
With three months to go until the election, there's been a flurry of policy announcements from parties across the political spectrum. Labour's leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann.
Beats on the Lawn Bowling green
Our reporter in Glasgow, Leonard Powell has watching the bowls, and noticed something he wouldn't have associated with the sport... music!
Longest suspension bridge in New Zealand opens
The new bridge across the Hooker River spans 189 metres, replacing the previous crossing that closed last April after rainfall and storms caused riverbank erosion. Department of Conservation's Aoraki Mt Cook District Operations Manager, Sally Jones spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Former trade minister Tim Groser discusses latest US tariffs
Prime Minister Christoper Luxon is calling the latest attempt by the United States to impose a 12.5 percent tariff on New Zealand "ridiculous." Former trade minister Tim Groser spoke to Corin Dann.
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Dr Mamaeroa David on protecting against winter illness
The winter chill we're currently experiencing is bringing with it a host of viruses, with it seeming like many are being slammed by bug after bug. Dr Mamaeroa David is a Senior Maori Medical Advisor with the Immunisation Advisory Centre and an Auckland GP. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Rising fuel costs hit rural school attendance
Social workers are warning some children in rural areas are missing out on too many days at school because their parents cannot afford the fuel to drive them each day. Amy Williams reports.
Political update: Luxon rules out working with Opportunity
Christopher Luxon has explicitly ruled out going into government with the Opportunity Party, as the aspiring kingmaker creeps ever closer to Parliament. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Corin Dann.
Transpower’s Chantelle Bramley discusses cold snap power demand
The cold snap being felt across the country has forced New Zealand's electricity grid operator to call on power companies to increase generation. Transpower is expecting more Kiwis to run their heating over the next few days as temperatures drop, putting a strain on supplies. Transpower operations manager Chantelle Bramley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Business news
An early morning update from RNZ's business team.
Country's first AI Health Coach launched
One of New Zealand's largest privately owned healthcare providers has launched the country's first AI Health Coach in routine patient care.
Calls for tightening of laws following Berlin Pride attack
German officials have called for laws around known extremists to be tightened, in the wake of the attack at a Pride event in Berlin. Thomas Sparrow spoke to Corin Dann from Berlin.
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke
A joint New Zealand-China research project tackling methane emissions is one of four to get a big funding boost, meanwhile there's no need to panic about a potential shortage of potatoes this year, despite a challenging season. The rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.
Early sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Matthew Theunissen reports from St Mary's Bay sinkhole
A large sink hole has appeared on a street in Auckland's St Mary's Bay with residents concerned what it will do to the ageing water infrastructure below. Matthew Theunissen reports.
Live update on wildfires in France and Spain
Firefighters in France and Spain are facing a race against time to contain wildfires before a new heatwave bears down. Correspondent William Denselow spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from on the ground near Bordeaux.
Major disruption to businesses as slips continue at mount
The latest Mount Maunganui landslide has come as a blow to the local community. Three slips happened over the weekend, moving a volume of earth close to that of January's slide that killed six people. Jo Veale, a local business owner and chair of Mount Mainstreet spoke to Corin Dann.
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 27 July
Luxon discusses new parental leave policy, tariffs, polling; Chlöe Swarbrick discusses new AI data centre policy; Three further slips at Mauao, Mount Maunganui during weekend; Mercury CEO discusses investment in new major data centre; Cockroaches and fleas reported at Auckland Hospital
Latest news from Australia
We cross the Tasman to speak to our Australia correspondent, Emma Cropper.
West Auckland chef helps families reclaim evenings
West Auckland cook Leo Vujcich has found himself overwhelmed with customers after asking: "What if you never had to cook dinner again?" For $190 a fortnight, his in-home cookery business, The Prep Chef, cooks 14 nights' worth of meals, helping families reclaim a couple of hours each night. Leo Vujcich spoke to Corin Dann.
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
Homeowners holding on: Why aren't there more mortgagee sales?
House prices have fallen and interest rates are rising again - by why aren't more New Zealanders getting into home loan trouble?
Council buys more land as Auckland approaches burial capacity
Auckland Council has purchased 100 hectares of land for a future cemetery - despite opposition from Iwi and the local board. The rural site near Karaka in the city's South cost the council $16 million. It's as Tamaki Makarau's cemeteries approach their burial capacity. Auckland Council's General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities, Taryn Crewe spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports from Green Party AGM
Green Party supporters have made clear what their priority for the election will be - tax the rich. Green Party MPs met with the wider party membership in South Auckland this weekend for their Annual General Meeting. At it, the party unveiled their 2026 manifesto and called on a pause for consents for AI data centres. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira was there.
Three further slips at Mauao, Mount Maunganui during weekend
Engineers at Mount Maunganui are on alert again after three landslips within a 48-hour period over the weekend. Tauranga Council Recovery Manager Charlie Rahiri spoke to Corin Dann.
Luxon discusses new parental leave policy, tariffs, polling
National's announced it will gradually extend paid parental leave to 30 weeks if elected in November. Since 2020 primary carers have been eligible to 26 weeks paid leave following the birth of a child. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
ACT promises more funding for Pharmac
ACT is promising to gradually increase Pharmac's budget so more medicines can be funded. Currently, just 4.9 percent of the health budget is spent on medicines, compared to 12.2 percent in Australia. Patient Voice Aotearoa has long campaigned to improve drug funding. Its founder Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Corin Dann.
Some of National’s biggest names at risk of losing seats
Several National politicians are at risk if current polling is replicated on election night, with one senior MP already admitting it's unlikely he'll keep his seat. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports.
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
Reaction to National’s new paid parental leave policy
National is promising to extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 if it's back in government after the election. Emma McLean heads up Works For Everyone - a consultancy for employers and parents navigating parenthood. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
New data reveals size of job shortage for students
Staggering figures out this morning have revealed the stark reality for university students and graduates looking for work. Student Job Search says in the past financial year, they received 434,000 job applications for just 53,000 roles.Matthew Theunissen reports.
Cockroaches and fleas reported at Auckland Hospital
RNZ can reveal staff have made hundreds of reports of fleas and other insects at Auckland Hospital.One patient slipped and fell trying to stomp on a cluster of cockroaches in the shower. Health NZ's Director of Operations for Auckland, Dr Mike Shepherd spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Business news
An early morning update from RNZ's business team.
Live update from wildfires in France
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from parts of France as firefighters battle to contain wildfires burning near Bordeaux. Correspondent William Denselow spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from near Bordeaux.
Mercury CEO discusses investment in new major data centre
Mercury has invested $53 million into a major data centre in Southland that's set to become the biggest in the country. Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton spoke to Corin Dann.
Morning rural news
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.
Early sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Storms expose vulnerability of rural communities
Destructive storms are exposing the vulnerability of rural communities dependent on a spiderweb of winding roads and ageing infrastructure.
World news wrap
Catch up with US correspondent Jagruti Dave.
Chlöe Swarbrick discusses new AI data centre policy
The Greens are calling for a one-year pause on consenting for new AI data centres, so rules and regulations can be put in place. Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 24 July
Penny Hulse discusses council amalgamations; Netball NZ board chair speaks to Ingrid Hipkiss; Frustrations and concerns grow over IT failures in hospitals; Karamea school backs return to traditional classrooms; Free flights offered to boost West Coast tourism
Latest news from Australia
We crossed the Tasman to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Richard Willingham from ABC in Tasmania.
End of an era as iconic Wellington flat closes
One Wellington flat has been hosting parties, gigs, markets, poetry nights and more for decades. But now, 13 Garrett St has been shut down by the city council. Sammy Carter spoke to the current tenants about the end of an era.
Dungeons and Dragons event takes over Dunedin
If you've ever wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons and thought to yourself, that looks far, far too complicated, one actress and producer may have an answer. For this week's regional interview, we're heading to Otepoti Dunedin to meet the mastermind of the Downtime Activities D&D event Rosella Hart who spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
How households are saving on insurance costs
Insurance costs have been a major pain point for many households in recent years, but data from insurers shows many of us are finding solutions. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking into some new data and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Parts of the Grey District flooded in overnight thunderstorm
Parts of the Grey District in the South Island were flooded in an overnight thunderstorm. Fire and Emergency crews responded to about half-a-dozen homes in Greymouth, Cobden, Brunner and Runanga. The flooding also forced the closure of State Highway 7 between Greymouth and Stillwater. Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson spoke to John Campbell.
Weekly Sports Panel: Lima Sopoaga and Dana Johannsen
RNZ's sports editor Dana Johannsen and All Black and Manu Samoa player, Lima Sopoaga join Morning Report for this week's sports panel.
Frustrations and concerns grow over IT failures in hospitals
There are ongoing frustrations among health staff about the multiple IT failures in hospitals this year, with the latest in multiple hospitals in Waikato on Wednesday night. Nurse Tracy Chisholm, a union delegate for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation spoke to John Campbell.
Free flights offered to boost West Coast tourism
Development West Coast is offering free return flights from Wellington to Westport for people who book a rental car, in a bid to attract more visitors and help keep Originair's Westport - Wellington route afloat. Development West Coast Chief Executive Heath Milne spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Karamea school backs return to traditional classrooms
A school which has said goodbye to open-plan classrooms says students and staff are much happier with less noise and distractions. Karamea Area School is one of six schools across the country to have turned their "modern" learning spaces into classrooms with walls, as part of the Ministry of Education's conversion programme. A further 193 schools have registered interest. Principal of Karamea
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
NZ’s Chef De Mission speaks from Glasgow
Weightlifter David Liti and Judo athlete Moira de Villiers have been named as flag bearer and baton bearer at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow. New Zealand's Chef De Mission Nigel Avery spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Funding row over in-school teacher training
Universities are feeling hard-done-by, after government funding for in-school teacher training heavily favoured a new-comer headed at the time by the chair of the Teaching Council. The Teachers' Institute was allowed to triple its intake of school-based teacher trainees this year, while universities' attempts to grow were knocked back in what they say was a shambolic and messy process. Educat
River rescue jetskis back after community campaign
More than 120 people have died in the Waikato River since 1980. Deceptively fast currents, hidden hazards and overconfidence make it dangerous for swimmers and rescuers alike. In 2018, firefighters using jetskis for rescues felt like a game changer, until FENZ banned motorised boats for water rescues. After local backlash, a separate entity was set up to run the rescue jetskis in Waikato. Off
Netball NZ board chair speaks to Ingrid Hipkiss
Netball New Zealand has quietly changed Silver Fern eligibility rules to allow them to play overseas without it affecting their ability to play for the national team. Netball New Zealand board chair Alastair Carruthers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Glasgow.
Business news
An early morning update from RNZ's business team.
Warnings to take scabies seriously
A warning that it's time to stop treating scabies as a minor skin condition and recognise it can lead to serious conditions like rheumatic fever and heart disease. Taranaki-Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.
Penny Hulse discusses council amalgamations
Penny Hulse was the Auckland supercity's first deputy mayor. Before that, she was the deputy mayor of Waitakere City Council. She discussed council amalgamations with John Campbell.
Verity Ratcliffe discusses Middle East conflict and oil prices
Oil prices have once again hit US$100 a barrel as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. Verity Ratcliffe, energy correspondent at the Financial Times spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Morning rural news
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.
Early sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Heart attack survivor reunites with teenage heroes
A woman who had a heart attack at an Auckland swimming pool has returned to the scene of her near-death experience to thank her saviours. She says the teenage lifeguards who dove in after her deserve to be celebrated as heroes. Felix Walton reports.
World news wrap
Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.
Heather Keats with details of this weekend’s cold snap
It's shaping up to be a wintry weekend, with a blast of polar air set to bring snow, severe frosts and ice conditions across parts of the country. Metservices Head of Weather, Heather Keats spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 23 July
Waikato Hospital hit by major IT outage; Craig McCulloch on Stuart Nash's resignation; An update on Middle East conflict with BBC's Frank Gardner; Paediatricians push for funded RSV vaccine; Joan Mackenzie on Whitcoulls' Top 100 books
Joan Mackenzie on Whitcoulls' Top 100 books
Whitcoulls has released its 2026 Top 100 books list. The annual list is voted on by readers, and this year they've, you've, picked a record number of new books. A new genre 'romantasy', has emerged as a firm favourite. Whitcoulls Book Manager Joan Mackenzie joins us in the Auckland studio now.
Questions raised over handling of extremist prisoner
Ahamed Samsudeen called himself a terrorist and threatened guards while he spent time inside New Zealand's maximum security prison, a Coroner has heard. The inquest at the Auckland District Court has been told there was no programme to deradicalise Samsudeen while they had him in prison. Shortly after his 2021 release, Samsudeen stabbed six shoppers at a West Auckland supermarket, before bein
Ken Couper on Northland council amalgamation plans
Three of four Northland district and regional councils will propose to the Government that they be merged. Ken Couper, Mayor for Whangarei and the spokesperson for the collective of Northland councils that are proposing amalgamation and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
