Morning Report for Wednesday 17 April 2013

8:56 AM.For more than a hundred years, since an Australian steamer ran aground with a cargo of gold and silver coins, the Three Kings Islands in the Far North of New Zealand have been a focus for treasure… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.The bill legalising same-sex marriage is expected to be passed by Parliament tonight. Audio

8:47 AM.In the first pre-budget announcement, tourism is to get a 160 million boost in funding over the next 4 years. Audio

8:44 AM.The fishing company Sealord has told a Parliamentary committee it wants to continue using foreign charter vessels without having to reflag them as New Zealand boats; A health specialist says life… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.The newly-appointed Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Jackie Blue. Audio

8:39 AM.Advocacy groups are confident the newest addition to the Human Rights Commission, Jackie Blue, has what it takes to improve employment inequality. 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

8:26 AM.There were hugs and handshakes at Ohakea Air Base last night as an officer was cleared of a negligence charge laid in relation to a fatal flight on Anzac Day 2010. Audio

8:22 AM.Family members of murdered teenager Hayden Miles say they hope his killer's sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime. Audio

8:16 AM.New Zealand sporting organisations are struggling to deal with the bombing. Audio

8:11 AM.The United States President Barack Obama is vowing the Boston bomber - or bombers - will be brought to justice, but is also warning that it could be a long process. Audio

7:54 AM.An independent report will today call for the government to suspend the commercial fishing of longfin eel. Audio

7:49 AM.The Sensible Sentencing Trust is today being prosecuted in Auckland for breaching the rights of a convicted paedophile. Audio

7:46 AM.Stop-gap measures to fix the terrible stench coming from Whanganui's failing waste water plant are finally starting to work. Audio

7:42 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:37 AM.Farmers in the Bay of Plenty have welcomed some heavy rain over the past 24 hours, breaking months of drought. Audio

7:27 AM.Small agencies which deliver health and social programmes are to be paid on performance under a new funding plan being considered by the Government. Audio

7:24 AM.The bill legalising same-sex marriage is expected to be passed by Parliament tonight. Audio

7:21 AM.Members of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee have voted down an opposition motion to hold an inquiry into the appointment of the Director of the Government's electronic spy agency, Ian… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.Mark Silby has been living in Boston for 11 years, and teaches microbiology at the University of Massachusetts. Audio

7:09 AM.The FBI says there is no longer any "known imminent physical threat" in the wake of yesterday's Boston Marathon bombings which claimed three lives and injured at least 176. Audio

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

6:27 AM.The fishing company Sealord has told a Parliamentary committee it wants to continue using foreign charter vessels without having to reflag them as New Zealand boats; A health specialist says life… Read more Audio

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

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

6:15 AM.A new survey shows more people in New Zealand are deciding not to drink alcohol. Audio

6:11 AM.Richard Des Lauriers, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings, says there is no longer any "known imminent physical threat" in the city. Audio

6:00 AM.FBI says there is no longer any imminent threat; More from a New Zealander living in Boston; Intelligence committee rejects bid for GCSB inquiry; Gay marriage lobbyist expects hundreds at Parliament… Read more Audio