Morning Report for Friday 9 May 2014

12:18 PM.Spending on credit, debit and charge cards remained steady in April, though more was spent on fuel and consumables and less on clothing. Audio

8:56 AM.Let's have a chat to our Canberra correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:52 AM.Loop the loops, barrel rolls and formation flying - all in a day's work for a squadron of trainee pilots who've taken to the skies above Nelson. Audio

8:48 AM.Dunedin is tonight reviving its writing festival, after a hiatus of eight years. Audio

8:45 AM.Descendants of those who served in the 28th Maori Battalion have embarked on an international pilgrimage to visit some of the renown battle sites, where their relatives fought; The government says… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.The former champion Sir Mark Todd has turned in New Zealand's best performance to lie fourth after the opening day of dressage at the Badminton horse trials in England. Audio

8:37 AM.In an effort to stamp out the exploitation of migrant workers in Christchurch, building, engineering and labour hire firms will be audited this month. Audio

8:32 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:27 AM.New Zealanders have joined fast food workers in the United States who plan to walk off their jobs in 150 cities next week. Audio

8:24 AM.Duty-free allowances for tobacco are to be cut from 200 cigarettes for each inbound traveller to just 50 - or two and a half packs, the same as in Australia. Audio

8:20 AM.A grandmother who owes 12-thousand-dollars in legal aid says it's unfair the Government is charging interest retrospectively. Audio

8:16 AM.The number of children being referred for treatment for inappropriate sexual behaviour is rising. Audio

8:11 AM.A public law expert says New Zealand First's plan to fine MPs if they stay in Parliament after leaving the party cannot be enforced. Audio

8:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:56 AM.South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress, or ANC, has stormed to victory in the country's general election. Audio

7:52 AM.The Nigerian president says the kidnapping of 200 school girls will spell the end for the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram. Audio

7:46 AM.One of the young drivers who complained about a police road block in Christchurch that trapped 250 young people for more than six hours, says he doesn't believe the police are genuinely sorry for… Read more Audio

7:42 AM.A flagship project of the Auckland Council has hit trouble. Audio

7:36 AM.A former manager of a Whangarei Child Youth and Family home says she's relieved Taite Kupa, has been found guilty of abuse. Audio

7:28 AM.From November duty-free allowances for tobacco are to be cut from 200 cigarettes for inbound travellers to just 50 - or two packs, the same as in Australia. Audio

7:24 AM.The Leader of the House, Gerry Brownlee, says the debate over fundraising and the cabinet club is in danger of getting out of hand. Audio

7:19 AM.Listening to that is the National Party MP Tau Henare who defected from New Zealand First in 1998. Audio

7:17 AM.New Zealand First MPs are defending moves to tie new candidates to a contract that would fine them 300-thousand-dollars if they jump ship. Audio

7:11 AM.The former Justice Minister, Bill Jeffries, says he didn't do anything wrong in the collapse of Lombard Finance. Audio

7:07 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:58 AM.An update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

6:57 AM.The stockbroking firm, Craigs Investment Partners, has cleaned up in the Institute of Finance Professionals, or Infinz, awards. Audio

6:53 AM.Z Energy expects its annual operating profit this year will rise by up to about 10 percent, reflecting benefits from its agreement with Refining New Zealand and new service stations. Audio

6:51 AM.Some analysts are questioning whether The Warehouse Group will be able to improve its margins and bottom line. Audio

6:47 AM.Bank of New Zealand says growth in its mortgage book has slowed since the Reserve Bank's restrictions on lending to people with small deposits came into force last October. Audio

6:40 AM.The Immigration Minister, Michael Woodhouse, says he is not giving wealthy donors special treatment. Audio

6:38 AM.The New Zealand First MP, Denis O'Rourke, says it was his idea to put in a financial clause that would make party members who jump ship pay the party 300-thousand-dollars. Audio

6:26 AM.The chair of the Independent Maori Statutory Board in Auckland, David Taipari, says the council isn't spending the money it needs to fulfil Maori projects; Descendants of those who served in the 28th… Read more Audio

6:24 AM.A Sydney man has become the first person charged under New South Wales' controversial one punch law. Audio

6:20 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:15 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:00 AM.Bill Jeffries says he didn't do anything wrong, NZ First MPs defend penalty clause, Tau Henare on Winston Peters plan for MPs, Ministers bridle at suggestions of corruption over donors and govt… Read more Audio