Morning Report for Monday 8 October 2012

8:57 AM.Bush fires in Queensland; the young Kiwi invasion of Oz and; the Camp Oven Cooking Comps in Queensland crook over a Kiwi. Audio

8:54 AM.Between 60 and 90 people show up at the YMCA singing group at Chalmers Rest Home in New Plymouth, part of a wider aim to improve physical and mental health for those getting on in years. Audio

8:50 AM.Reporter William Ray tells us about preparations for the opening of the prestigious Cordon Bleu cooking school in Wellington. Audio

8:48 AM.The national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, is preparing to welcome home this morning 22 koiwi tangata or ancestral remains from two Australian museums; Te Papa's Kaihautu or Co-Leader, Michelle… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.Retailers in Gisborne say the 100% increase in parking rates for central Gisborne, from one to two dollars, is responsible for a sizable downturn in sales. Audio

8:39 AM.The mayors of Grey and Otorohanga districts, Tony Kokshoorn and Dale Williams respectively, say more needs to be done by central government in the role of job creation. Audio

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

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

8:25 AM.A group of Whangarei farmers is accusing the district council of sending Northland's biggest drainage scheme broke. Audio

8:22 AM.The British Conservative Party conference has got underway in Birmingham, as poll results flounder for the country's ruling coalition. Audio

8:18 AM.President Hugo Chavez, who has just undergone treatment for cancer, is up against a united opposition fronted by a former state governor, Henrique Capriles. Audio

8:12 AM.Later this morning details will be revealed about the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, taking place in Wellington next month. Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown gives some detail. Audio

8:09 AM.Trade unions and some economists are backing the Green Party's proposal to tame the dollar and pay for the Christchurch rebuild by printing more money. Audio

7:57 AM.Soldiers from Burnham Military Camp have banded together to raise funds for the families of their fallen colleagues. Audio

7:53 AM.Te Papa Tongarewa's Kaihautu, Michelle Hippolite, speaks about the return of Maori and Moriori remains from Australia which were gifted to museums in Sydney and Perth between 1899 and 1932. Audio

7:50 AM.The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has warned his runaway Rugby Championship winning squad is only going to get better. Sporting commentator Keith Quinn opines about what more we can expect from the… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.The Philippine government has reached an agreement with the country's largest Muslim rebel group to end a conflict which has killed more than 100-thousand people over four decades. Audio

7:43 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:38 AM.Some Christchurch schools facing closure will meet next week to look at taking their case to the High Court to challenge the legitimacy of the 10-week consultation period given to them. Audio

7:35 AM.Auckland bus drivers, who are negotiating a payrise from their employer NZ Bus, will meet today to try to end the long-running dispute. Audio

7:25 AM.The government is facing criticism for not doing enough to protect translators in Afghanistan after New Zealand soldiers withdraw from Bamiyan province. Audio

7:20 AM.The Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce responds to the Green Party currency restraint proposals. Audio

7:15 AM.A major shift in monetary policy is being proposed by the Green Party - with the suggestions applauded by some, and dismissed as half-baked by others. Audio

7:09 AM.John Key has returned from a whirlwind visit to Los Angeles - a trip he said was all about jobs for New Zealanders. Audio

6:46 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:41 AM.Christchurch schools facing closure are considering a High Court challenge to the government's proposed plans. Audio

6:37 AM.The Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce, says the Green Party's proposals to rein in the dollar would send the wrong signal about the state of the economy. Audio

6:27 AM.The national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, is preparing to welcome home this morning, 22 koiwi tangata or ancestral remains from two Australian museums; Te Papa's Kaihautu or Co- Leader, Michelle… 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 Institute of Economic Research's chief economist, Shamubeel Eaqub, says quantitative easing, or printing more money, may not help contain the high New Zealand dollar. Audio

6:00 AM.The Prime Minister and his visit to Tinseltown; Greens propose monetary policy restraints, Govt responds; NZ Govt accused of 'dragging feet' in expediting protection for translators in Afghanistan… Read more Audio