Morning Report for Thursday 22 January 2015

8:55 AM.Dunedin's celebrating its celtic roots in Edinburgh today. Audio

8:51 AM.Thousands of charities have been threatened with being thrown off the official register after going for years without filing annual returns -- which, an expert says, leaves the system open to abuse. Audio

8:48 AM.Dairy farmers in Canterbury are calling for greater use of irrigation. Audio

8:43 AM.The Maori Development Minister says it is time for Ngati Tuwharetoa to cut its losses and focus on the future; The business side of Taranaki Whanui in Wellington has abandoned its base at the… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.Some drivers in the top of the South Island say they are avoiding using the roads because of a fear of unsafe overseas drivers. Audio

8:31 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:22 AM.The Whanganui Mayor, Annette Main, is asking people to show compassion after the death of a toddler in the grounds of the town's hospital. Audio

8:17 AM.A major concern from some political parties and environmental groups about the overhaul of the Resource Management Act is the potential for the loss of important environmental protections. Audio

8:11 AM.The Auckland mayor, Len Brown, is largely in support of the proposed changes to the Resource Management Act, outlined by the Government last night. Audio

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

7:56 AM.An Iwi leader says he has no doubt Tuwharetoa will come back from its financial losses. Audio

7:51 AM.In Yemen, Houthi rebels have reportedly replaced government security officers outside the private residence of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the capital, Sanaa. Audio

7:43 AM.The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English joins us. Audio

7:40 AM.A business lobby group says a fall in the cost of living might not translate into more spending by consumers. Audio

7:38 AM.Passport officials searched the entire New Zealand passport photo database to check murderer Phillip John Smith didn't have other passports in other names. Audio

7:30 AM.The French government has announced sweeping new anti-terrorism measures to counter home-grown Islamist extremism. Audio

7:27 AM.Two asylum seekers have tried to hang themselves at the Manus Island detention centre but have been stopped by fellow detainees. Audio

7:24 AM.Police say they won't name the toddler who died in a car at Whanganui Hospital until they have completed their investigations. Audio

7:19 AM.Listening to that was the Labour leader, Andrew Little. Audio

7:11 AM.Out-dated, cumbersome and slow. And due for an overhaul. The Environment Minister, Nick Smith, says he's determined to change the Resource Management Act Audio

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

6:59 AM.The Dow Jones Index up 48 points to 17 563. Audio

6:58 AM.A survey has found bosses are less optimistic about the economy this year. Audio

6:57 AM.BWA Insolvency says Shanton Fashions owes almost 4 million dollars to about 220 unsecured creditors. Audio

6:56 AM.Turners & Growers is expecting a better year in 2015 after a strong turn-around in the second half last year. Audio

6:53 AM.One analyst say the impetus for a sustained improvement in global dairy prices is still missing. Audio

6:52 AM.The weaker-than-expected inflation figures also lit a fire under the share market yesterday, propelling the benchmark Top 50 Index to a fresh record. Audio

6:48 AM.Economists say consumer prices are set to keep falling, thanks to slumping fuel costs. Audio

6:39 AM.One of the Government's support partners was caught off-guard last night by the tone of a speech on proposed changes to the Resource Management Act. Audio

6:27 AM.The University of Auckland, which hosts Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga, says it's delighted to have another opportunity to apply for the final stage of funding for the Maori Research Centre of Excellence… Read more Audio

6:21 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

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

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

6:00 AM.Nick Smith sets out his plan for sweeping changes to planning laws. Calls for understanding as details of a toddler's death in Whanganui remain unclear and France's prime minister announces a massive… Read more Audio