Morning Report for Friday 2 March 2012

8:55 AM.The latest news from the Lucky Country with our Canberra correspondent. Audio

8:52 AM.Washington Correspondent, Priscilla Huff, says while the cruise liners are Italian, the US has a big interest in their safety. Audio

8:50 AM.Half of the 41-million dollar project has already been raised but the thespians and their supporters have just three months to find the rest. Audio

8:49 AM.A note of clarification around an earlier story on the suspension of Black Cap team members. Audio

8:48 AM.The former head of the Waitangi Fisheries Commission, Shane Jones, says employing Maori in the fishing industry should be a priority; A Senior Law Lecturer at Waikato University's Te Piringia-Faculty… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.The Cawthron Institute has established that, in a labratory environment, the invasive algae that's choking South Island waterways can grow in waters from North Island rivers and may be a bigger threat… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:27 AM.Auckland's annual Polyfest is going from strength to strength with a record amount of performers lining up this year to compete, but a major withdrawal of Govt funding and increased competition for… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.The Anglican Church will this afternoon make what it is promising will be an important announcement about the future of the badly quake damaged Christchurch Cathedral. Audio

8:21 AM.Television New Zealand has denied instructing journalists on its Fair Go consumer affairs programme to go lightly on companies that advertise with the broadcaster. The show's creator and original… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.A fishing industry researcher says some fishing businesses could fold if the Government adopts all the recommendations for overhauling the rules controlling foreign charter vessels. Audio

8:14 AM.The future of New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder is again under a cloud after another alcohol-related incident. Audio

8:09 AM.The 131-year-old union owes 2.35 million dollars - nearly half to BNZ bank and three quarters of a million to trades people. Audio

7:55 AM.Arts reporter Lynn Freeman has been to the I Musici Chamber Ensemble. Audio

7:48 AM.Syrian rebels have pulled out of the besieged Baba Amr district of Homs after more than three weeks of bombardment by President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Our correspondent in Lebanon, Mitch Prothero… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:41 AM.The Government's controversial Search and Surveillance Bill passed its second reading yesterday but only by a wafer-thin majority. Audio

7:37 AM.Wild and possibly dangerous weather is expected to hit much of the country tomorrow. Audio

7:28 AM.Three quarters of New South Wales is under threat from massive flooding, with more rain forecast in the next 24 hours. Audio

7:25 AM.Unionised workers at eight Affco meat processing plants have this morning walked off the job in support of 760 colleagues who have been locked-out of work. Audio

7:20 AM.The strike on Auckland's waterfront has been extended by another week and impact from the industrial action is being felt in the wider business community. Chief Executive for the Auckland Chamber of… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.A ministerial inquiry has found repeated instances of foreign crew working on New Zealand chartered fishing boats being mistreated and underpaid. The Slave Free Seas charitable trust's spokesperson… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.Hopes are fading for a last-minute rescue package for the Otago Rugby Union and it's likely to fold today after a proud 131-year history. Otago reporter, Ian Telfer, has been following developments. Audio

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

6:41 AM.The senior doctors' union says another district health board is in a worsening financial situation and fears there will be more to come. Audio

6:39 AM.With the clock ticking on the debt-laden Otago rugby union, it's not just rugby fans who are crossing their fingers for a last minute bailout. Audio

6:28 AM.The former head of the Waitangi Fisheries Commission, Shane Jones, says employing Maori in the fishing industry should be a priority; Five Midland District Health Boards will today sign a new document… 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.The Maritime Union says it's worried the government will never act to extend New Zealand's employment laws to crew of foreign fishing vessels operating in our waters. Audio

6:00 AM.The Otago Rugby Union's demise; foreign fishing vessel's and crew's employment rights; industrial strife in NZ; wild weather on both sides of the Tasman and; the Search and Surveillance Bill looms… Read more Audio