Morning Report for Tuesday 18 October 2011

8:56 AM.The dog has long been known as man's best friend, and an archaeological dig in the Czech Republic suggests the relationship is a lot older than generally thought. Audio

8:51 AM.The All Blacks and France at Eden Park in the Rugby World Cup final - it really does seem like deja vu. The two teams faced off for the Webb Ellis Cup in the inaugural tournament in 1987. Audio

8:46 AM.A Maori language advocate says Te Reo should have a greater public presence, and be seen everywhere including on transport signs and food labels; The head of the Waikato-Tainui executive says he… Read more Audio

8:38 AM.A bacterial fish disease that has killed hundreds of lamprey has now been found in a trout in an Otago river. Audio

8:34 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:28 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:24 AM.Victoria University says it stands to lose three million dollars if just one of its academics fails to make the grade in a national evaluation of research in tertiary institutions. Audio

8:19 AM.Affordable home ownership for first time buyers in Queenstown is set to get easier. The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust is offering a new 5 year bond that will be used to fund a housing loan… Read more Audio

8:16 AM.A resource analyst says China is the most likely country to show an interest in the aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point near Bluff. Rio Tinto intends to sell its New Zealand and Australian aluminium… Read more Audio

8:13 AM.The state of the weather is proving to be crucial to the salvage efforts. Audio

8:08 AM.In Tauranga, despite dire predictions the Rena remains in one piece this morning and the weather which threatened to break up the ship is easing. The salvage company working onboard the Rena says the… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn will soon be officially premiered in Belgium. A few movie reviewers have been given an early preview in London including Xan Brooks of The Guardian… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.Health boards in Wellington are dropping a contentious fee they imposed on patients who get privately ordered lab tests. Medical specialists have complained bitterly over the effect on patients of the… Read more Audio

7:49 AM.A major fishing company and quota owner says Foreign Charter Vessels should not be operating in New Zealand waters. Public hearings on submissions into the inquiry on the use of foreign-flagged ships… Read more Audio

7:45 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:41 AM.The families of victims of February's quake in Christchurch hope the Royal Commission into why so many buildings collapsed will help prevent future deaths. Audio

7:38 AM.Rugby fans in France are holding on to hope that their team will surprise everyone and defeat the All Blacks in the World Cup final. Audio

7:32 AM.The 15-car pile up that claimed the life of the British Indy car driver Dan Wheldon has prompted calls to ban the sport, or dramatically improve its safety. Audio

7:27 AM.Matthew Watson from Svitzer Salvage updates the Rena's situation. Audio

7:23 AM.Uncertainty hangs over the aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point near Bluff. The international mining company Rio Tinto is planning to sell the smelter along with five Australian plants so it can… Read more Audio

7:13 AM.The New Zealand Defence Force has three naval vessels patrolling the area where the Rena has run aground. Audio

7:09 AM.The Rena is still in one piece this morning, but there is now little holding the bow to the stern. The possibility that the vessel could break apart at any time has brought even greater urgency to… Read more Audio

6:47 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:39 AM.The stricken container ship the Rena ship is still in one piece and has not moved on the reef overnight depite being battered by swells of two to three metres and winds gusting up to 55 kilometres per… Read more Audio

6:27 AM.The head of the Waikato-Tainui executive says he guarantees his iwi will be ready to negotiate an outstanding treaty claim, with whichever party is in power after the general election next month; A… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:20 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:15 AM.Former Pakistani cricket captain, Salman Butt, has been giving evidence at his trial on conspiracy to cheat and accept corrupt payments. Audio

6:12 AM.Work has continued through the night pumping oil off the stricken container ship the Rena. Audio

6:00 AM.Salvors struggle to empty Rena of oil before ship breaks; HMNZS Rotoiti maintains presence within exclusion zone; Uncertainty hangs over Tiwai Point aluminium smelter; Quake victims' families hope for… Read more Audio