Morning Report for Friday 24 February 2012

8:55 AM.Let's have a chat to our Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.The police have criticised a motorcycle rally in the South Island this weekend, saying the event promotes dangerous riding and is a recipe for disaster. Audio

8:48 AM.The responsibility for instilling the values of tikanga Maori in all the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff could rest with a single Maori cultural adviser; The Government's intention to keep… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.If you've been sipping fruit juice, spooning yoghurt and nibbling on muesli in an effort to shrink your waistline - consider it wasted effort. Audio

8:39 AM.The United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees says the developed world's fears of floods of refugees are unfounded. Audio

8:36 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:29 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:27 AM.A huge rare pink diamond has been unearthed in Western Australia - the largest ever found in the country. Audio

8:23 AM.It may only be February but yes the Super Rugby season starts tonight when the Blues take on the Crusaders in Auckland. Audio

8:19 AM.The last of the government's initiatives to make younger drivers safer on our roads comes into effect on Monday, with a tougher restricted driving test. Audio

8:15 AM.A leaked email sent to the Foreign Affairs Minister, talking of how to help Pacific Island nations resist China, may be embarrassing for the New Zealand government. Audio

8:09 AM.The Auckland council and central government have been asked to intervene to stop a three-week strike at the Ports of Auckland. Audio

7:56 AM.It's not quite bigger than Ben Hur but it's close - with four opera singers, two choirs and the NZSO, a Stravinsky double bill is opening the New Zealand International Arts Festival tonight. Audio

7:52 AM.The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs is calling for Pacific communities to take more responsibility for their children's education and for speaking their own languages. Audio

7:47 AM.United Nations investigators have found human rights abuses committed in Syria have been ordered by the "highest levels" of government and the army. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:38 AM.New Zealand's ability to host major events, like the Rugby World Cup, may be threatened by job cuts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Audio

7:36 AM.Hundreds of Ports of Auckland workers are gathering at a meeting in the central city, after walking off the job for a three-week strike which began half an hour ago. Audio

7:27 AM.Commercial hot air balloon operators are defending their safety standards. Audio

7:23 AM.A former power broker of the Australian Labor Party says Kevin Rudd's attempt to topple Julia Gillard is the most vicious challenge he's seen. Audio

7:20 AM.Listening to that was the Maori Party co-leader, Pita Sharples. Audio

7:17 AM.In a major concession, the Maori Party says it can now live with private investors in state-owned enterprises not being bound by treaty obligations Audio

7:13 AM.Listening to that has been the Ports' Chief Executive, Tony Gibson. Audio

7:09 AM.A three week strike has just started at Ports of Auckland. Audio

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

6:39 AM.After commemorating the anniversary of last year's deadly earthquake in Christchurch, many are now looking to the region's future. Audio

6:37 AM.In just under half an hour, port workers in Auckland begin three weeks of strike action. Audio

6:27 AM.The Government's intention to keep what is calls 'concepts' of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in new State Owned Enterprises legislation is being called 'vague' by a kuia; The responsibility for instilling the… Read more Audio

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

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:11 AM.A hot air balloon safety inspector, with more than 50 years experience, says he's disappointed the balloon that crashed in Carterton in January, killing all 11 people on board, had not been properly… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.The importers institute calls for all union members working at Auckland ports to be sacked. The Maori Party says it can live with private investors in SOE's not being bound by treaty obligations… Read more Audio