Morning Report for Thursday 5 February 2015

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

8:52 AM.A series of underground explosions around the Wellington Region have allowed scientists to see the bottom of the tectonic plate that's responsible for the area's earthquakes. Audio

8:48 AM.Our Christchurch reporter Rachel Graham travelled to Japan, with the support of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, to find out. Audio

8:45 AM.The mana whenua will soon be holding the annual series of powhiri for politicians, in the lead up to Waitangi Day; The Manukau Urban Maori Authority says students at its newly-opened school will… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.Religious groups are urging the Government to make sure it properly consults with the Muslim community this year before making further changes to the country's spy laws. Audio

8:38 AM.There could be up to 14-thousand empty seats for this weekend's Wellington Sevens. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:28 AM.Today marks the 100th anniversary of the first New Zealand combat casualty of the First World War. Private William Ham from Ngatimoti near Nelson died from his wounds after the Battle of the Suez… Read more Audio

8:24 AM.At the scene of the Hei Hei fire is our Christchurch reporter, Rachel Graham Audio

8:20 AM.Kahli Hobbs' is 30 weeks pregnant and arrived home yesterday to find all of her possessions had gone up in smoke, including her father's five prized motorbikes. Audio

8:17 AM.There have been one or two flare ups over night at the scene of yesterday's large scrub fire at Yaldhurst west of Christchurch Audio

8:14 AM.Jeff Sewell is a local farmer he can see smoke, Steve Hill runs Hillsfield House bed and breakfast in Renwick. Audio

8:10 AM.Farmers are fighting to save their homes, and those of neighbours, as 60 firefighters backed by helicopters and planes battle a blaze in Marlborough's Wairau Valley. Audio

8:08 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:53 AM.The Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler yesterday became the latest and perhaps most authorative voice warning of the risk of a bust in the overheated Auckland housing market. Audio

7:48 AM.The New Zealand High Court judge Dame Lowell Goddard has been appointed to head the inquiry into historical child sex abuse in England and Wales. Audio

7:43 AM.Winston Peters is among the politicians who have been visiting Paihia and surrounding towns over the past few days. Audio

7:39 AM.Our political reporter, Demelza Leslie, is in Waitangi and joins us. Audio

7:36 AM.The Waitangi elder Kingi Taurua says he'll be asking the Prime Minister to apologise today for his dismissive remarks on Maori sovereignty. Audio

7:25 AM.The New Zealand High Court judge Dame Lowell Goddard has been appointed to head the inquiry into historical child sex abuse in England and Wales. Audio

7:20 AM.New Zealand is currently considering whether to send troops to help train the Iraqi army. Audio

7:17 AM.The father of the Jordanian pilot burned to death by Islamic State wants the terrorists deeply punished for killing his son and he says the hanging of two Iraqi terrorists is not enough. Audio

7:09 AM.Sixty firefighters backed by helicopters and planes are battling a fire that's threatening homes near Renwick in the Wairau Valley near Blenheim. Audio

7:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:58 AM.In the currency markets, the New Zealand dollar is trading at 73.61 US cents. Audio

6:57 AM.The latest manufacturing data out of China is adding to fears the world's largest economy could be headed for a hard landing. Audio

6:55 AM.Even though nominal growth in wages remains low, employees are still experiencing a growth in real spending power. Audio

6:54 AM.A leading Auckland real estate broker expects prices to continue to climb over the next three months, as demand continues to outstrip supply. Audio

6:50 AM.The Reserve Bank governor poured cold water on the prospect of interest rate cuts, saying keeping the official cash rate steady is the most prudent option. Audio

6:44 AM.A fire is being fought at North Bank in Marlbourgh which began at about 11:15 last night, with the fire service saying some people have been evacuated. Audio

6:27 AM.An associate professor of architecture says the government's selected the wrong department to enforce rules to make marae buildings earthquake-resistant; The mana whenua will soon be holding the… Read more Audio

6:23 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:20 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:10 AM.A New Zealand judge, Lowell Goddard, has been appointed the head of an inquiry into historical child sex abuse in England and Wales. Audio

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

6:00 AM.An economist says the rise in global dairy prices is a positive sign, but a number of downside risks persist. Audio

6:00 AM.Sixty firefighters backed by helicopters and planes are battling a fire that's threatening homes near Renwick in the Wairau Valley near Blenheim. The father of the Jordanian pilot burned to death by… Read more Audio