Morning Report for Monday 14 October 2013

8:56 AM.Petrolheads, Ford and Holden at Bathhurst; Bushfires in and around Sydney as heatwave kicks in in NSW and Queensland, and; Bill Shorten to lead the new Labor Party lineup. Audio

8:53 AM.Researchers at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester, say they've identified a chemical that can completely halt the death of brain cells, which could lead to an… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.The Chief Executive of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Graham Smith, says the institution is unlikely to reserve places for staff and students on its governing council if a shake-up of wananga and… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.Scientists and iwi say the eruption of the Papakura geyser in Rotorua for the first time in 34-years means a review of the Whakarewarewa geothermal field is needed. Audio

8:42 AM.The Greens and Labour are claiming a victory for the left in the Local Government elections, saying the country has made a pendulum swing against the right. Audio

8:38 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.A survey of charities suggests an increasing number are fearful of speaking out against the Government because of concerns they could lose funding. Dr Sandra Grey was one of the academics to conduct… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.Ground-breaking DNA technology designed by New Zealand scientists at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research may help solve terrorist attacks and war crimes. Audio

8:19 AM.Despite a record number of Pasifika representatives elected, candidates say the very low turnout by pasifika voters is a clear signal to the mayor and council that not enough has been done to engage… Read more Audio

8:14 AM.The former Christchurch East Labour Party MP, Lianne Dalziel, is now the Mayor of Christchurch and, as such, is set to work much more closely with her former political foe, Earthquake Minister Gerry… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.There are high hopes the new Christchurch council will be a more unified and open body than its controversial and deeply divided predecessor. Audio

8:09 AM.Gale force winds have cut power to more than a thousand households and businesses in the Canterbury region while strong wind warnings are in place for the lower North Island and the east of the South… Read more Audio

7:58 AM.The Automobile Association is giving away free driving lessons, in a bid to prepare young drivers for the road. Audio

7:55 AM.The former union organiser won fifty two percent of the vote, after a month long primary-style campaign to replace Kevin Rudd who stood down after last month's election loss to Tony Abbott. Audio

7:51 AM.School principals say the proposed $30 charge for each exam will deter students, especially those from poor families, from participating in exams at all. Audio

7:48 AM.Changes to welfare laws, which come into effect today, are part of a package of Government initiatives to mitigate welfare fraud - but ignore the greater issue of corporate tax fraud while vilifying… Read more Audio

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

7:41 AM.The balance of power has shifted on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council with three candidates promoted by the Growers Action Group being elected and a fourth awaiting the outcome of special votes. Audio

7:36 AM.With budget control, transport and housing as top agenda items, the re-elected supercity mayor will take Auckland's case to Wellington - in a bid to exempt young Aucklanders from new home deposit… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.Olly Barratt reports live from London on the latest police leads into the disappearance of toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007. Audio

7:24 AM.The Parole Board will hear arguments today on why Teina Pora should be freed from prison. Audio

7:21 AM.American senators are holding an emergency session to try to avoid a US financial default. Simon Marks reports from Washington DC. Audio

7:18 AM.The Government says work is already under way to explore the option of online voting, for the 2016 local government elections. Audio

7:13 AM.Queenstown looks set to follow Stewart Island's lead and charge a levy on tourists. Audio

7:09 AM.More than a thousand Canterbury households are without power this morning, as gale force winds wreak havoc throughout the region. Audio

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

6:40 AM.The death toll from India's strongest storm in more than a decade is fortunately a fraction of what it could have been had massive evacuation measures not been carried out. Audio

6:37 AM.The Local Government Minister says the national Government is looking at online voting options for the 2016 elections. Audio

6:27 AM.The Government is seeking special world biosphere status for Te Urewera National Park; The chief executive of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Graham Smith, says institution unlikely to reserve places… Read more Audio

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

6:18 AM.Green Party suggests peace talks rather than police advisors for Indonesian Papua; Tonga police look to repair damaged reputation; Fiji Media Watch says independence important to its role, and; NZ… Read more Audio

6:11 AM.The Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to seeing a more transparent and accountable council, which will be led by the new mayor - former Labour MP Lianne Dalziel. Audio

6:00 AM.Wet and windy weather expected across the country today; Queenstown considers tax on tourists to fund convention centre; Government not ruling out online voting for 2016 local govt elections; Senate… Read more Audio