Morning Report for Wednesday 24 July 2013

8:52 AM.The judges for the New Zealand Post book awards say it's a promising sign that many of the 2013 finalists have had their books published by smaller publishing houses. Audio

8:50 AM.The Pacific region's aid mission to the Solomon Islands, RAMSI, is marking its 10th anniversary today. Audio

8:48 AM.A Maori consultancy firm is thinking of ways to protect manuka honey products after research has found properties of manuka honey can be chemically faked; The leader of a Nelson iwi says some of its… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.Final rehearsals begin this week on a Northland production, aimed at preventing youth suicide. 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 tax expert says attempts to water down a global plan to close tax loopholes for multinational firms could potentially harm New Zealand's competitiveness. Audio

8:22 AM.Detailed design work has begun for a $375million irrigation scheme that will irrigate 60,000 hectares of farm land in Canterbury. Audio

8:20 AM.The death toll from a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in north-west China has risen to more than 90. Audio

8:18 AM.An Auckland property market analyst says a below average rise in rental prices in the city is down to an oversupply of apartments and a rush of renters wanting to turn into owners. Audio

8:12 AM.Ann Brower was crushed in a building collapse in Colombo street during the February quake. Audio

8:10 AM.A decision by insurers to freeze new housing policies in Wellington, Marlborough, Palmerston North and Wairarapa following Sunday's 6.5 tremor could affect house sales in the regions. Audio

7:54 AM.Tradition prevailed at this year's pie awards with a mince and cheese entry taking out the supreme piemaker trophy. Audio

7:52 AM.The Government will attempt to kickstart stalled trade talks with South Korea, with farmers saying they're losing ground to their rivals in the world's 15th biggest economy. Audio

7:48 AM.A court case into whether an Auckland lawyer smuggled contraband to the convicted murderer Liam Reid has wrapped up after a seven-day hearing full of twist and turns. Audio

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

7:38 AM.The Mana Movement leader, Hone Harawira, will call up to a dozen witnesses to give evidence in court today as he continues his battle to have a charge against him dropped. Audio

7:35 AM.A new report shows the price of rental properties in Auckland is rising far less than the national average, despite there being an apparent housing shortage in the city. Audio

7:28 AM.A second engineering expert will today assess an earth dam on a property south west of Seddon after the dam's wall cracked after the recent quakes in the area. Audio

7:22 AM.Less than an hour ago, the young prince was shown to the world cradled in the arms first of the Duchess of Cambridge and then Prince William. Audio

7:12 AM.The Property Council is warning ambitious plans to strengthen buildings against earthquakes could lead owners to board up buildings and walk away. Audio

7:10 AM.Property sales near completion in Wellington and Marlborough are being put on hold because insurers are refusing to issue new policies in the wake of recent earthquakes. Audio

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

6:40 AM.New home insurance policies are being put on hold by insurers from Wairarapa to Marlborough, causing headaches for people trying to buy homes . Audio

6:27 AM.A Maori consultancy firm is thinking of ways to protect manuka honey following research which found properties of manuka honey can be chemically faked; The leader of a Nelson iwi says some of its… Read more Audio

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

6:17 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:00 AM.Earthquake insurance, Seddon dam, royal baby, Auckland rents, Harawira court case, smuggling lawyer case, China quake, South Korea Free Trade Agreement talks. Audio