Morning Report for Monday 2 March 2015

8:57 AM.Australia vs New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup, and Tony Abbott's unstable position. Audio

8:54 AM.The first of the 13 million or so Bluff oysters expected to be harvested this season are making their way to shops around the country. Audio

8:50 AM.This is the final day people can have their say on a controversial plan to roll the nine councils in the Wellington region into one. So far more than 5000 people have made submssions. Audio

8:47 AM.A Maori financial broker says some insurance assessors are listing Marae as public halls, which drives up the cost of cover for pa; A bach owner says planned Treaty settlement legislation would… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.A massive pipi bed in Whangarei harbour is dying - and there are fears the change could destabilise the harbour - and Marsden Point itself. Audio

8:40 AM.The union representing primary school teachers thinks the concept of offering recruitment bonuses will fail. Audio

8:36 AM.A proposed new super school in Christchurch is one of the recipients of the Government's new special recruitment allowance. The Education Ministry is allocating $50, 000 to five schools around the… Read more Audio

8:27 AM.Major sporting events like the Cricket and Rugby World Cups are expected to fuel a rise in the number of young men seeking help for gambling addictions. Using smart phones to place bets on and… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Forty thousand fans packed Eden Park on Saturday as New Zealand defeated arch rivals Australia by one wicket at the Cricket World Cup. With four wins from four games, including victories over Sri… Read more Audio

8:19 AM.Troops bound for Iraq will be able to withdraw from the mission on ethical grounds. A total of 143 personnel are heading to the Middle East to train Iraq's military in the fight against Islamic State.

8:14 AM.A New Zealander held hostage in Iraq by Al Qaeda supporters for four months in 2005 is heading back to the country to work with the humanitarian organisation Christian Peacekeeper Teams. Audio

8:11 AM.The race to replace Mike Sabin as Northland's MP is heating up. As predicted, Winston Peters has thrown his hat in for New Zealand First. Labour's refusing to withdraw its candidate and now National… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.Lydia Ko has reclaimed the New Zealand Women's Golf Open Title. It's two years after she first won it and a lot has changed in that time. Audio

7:54 AM.Whanganui iwi have marked the 20th anniversary of the occupation of Moutoa Gardens. The protest at what iwi call Pakaitore divided the nation and made international headlines. Audio

7:50 AM.An Auckland property analyst says house prices are reaching a point where they make no sense and a slow down could be coming. Audio

7:45 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

7:43 AM.Justice ministers in New Zealand and Australia have have agreed to work together to improve criminal checks for job applicants on either side of the Tasman. Audio

7:40 AM.Another vote on Tony Abbott's leadership as Australian prime minister could come as early as this week. Mr Abbott visited Auckland at the weekend for the annual trans-Tasman leadership forum - and the… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.Tens of thousands of Russians have marched in Moscow in memory of the slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov. Mr Nemtsov was gunned down while walking home from a restaurant near the Kremlin. Audio

7:29 AM.The chief sports reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald, Chris Barrett, and the ABC's cricket commentator, Jim Maxwell were at New Zealand VS Australia. Audio

7:23 AM.The New Zealand cricketers remain unbeaten in the World Cup, but only just, after that thrilling one wicket victory over Australia on Saturday night. Audio

7:18 AM.As details of a military alliance between New Zealand and Australia in Iraq continue to be worked through, the Prime Minister has acknowledged that the relationship could result in an increased terror… Read more Audio

7:14 AM.Universities say while they have enrolled many of those who came up short for this academic year they are not lowering their standards. Audio

7:11 AM.Many school students who failed to meet the tougher university entrance standard have made it into university anyway. 4400 fewer teenagers got university entrance in 2014 after changes resulted in a… Read more Audio

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

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

6:57 AM.Across the Tasman proposed new government restrictions on foreign investment are creating a backlash from the business community. Audio

6:55 AM.Xero is still planning to list on America's Nasdaq and is likely to raise further funds then, though it is unlikely to be this year. The accounting software company raised almost $150 million from the… Read more Audio

6:55 AM.SBS Bank says falling interest rates have squeezed profit margins in the December quarter, despite record levels of business in the three months. The Invercargill-based bank lifted its profit by 39%… Read more Audio

6:52 AM.Transpower says it is going to have work smarter and dig deeper to make up for a reduction in revenue over the rest of the current financial year. The state-owned national grid operator warned it… Read more Audio

6:50 AM.Contrasting results are expected when two of New Zealand's largest retailers report earnings results. Briscoe Group, which includes Briscoes Homeware and Rebel Sport, will report its full year result… Read more Audio

6:27 AM.A bach owner says planned Treaty settlement legislation would 'landlock' his holiday home; A Maori financial broker says some insurance assessors are listing Marae as public halls, which drives up the… Read more Audio

6:24 AM.Many of the school-leavers who failed to meet the tougher new university entrance standard have squeaked in after all. Universities have enrolled many of those who came up short. Audio

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

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

6:11 AM.An announcement on whether Australian troops will work alongside New Zealanders in Iraq could be made as soon. Tony Abbott met John Key for their annual talks, with the fight against Islamic State at… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.Hundreds of UE "fails" accepted to university; Universities New Zealand responds on UE; NZer seized by Al Qaeda is returning to Iraq; Iraq-bound troops given option to withdraw; NZ cricketers still… Read more Audio