Morning Report for Wednesday 20 May 2015

8:55 AM.The Human Rights Commission is praising the police for its 'Turning the Tide' strategy which seeks to bring down the over-representation of Maori in the justice system; The One-hundred Percent Pure… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.While much of the country has been sheltering from the rain during the past few weeks, North Canterbury is in the midst of a relentless drought - and it's taking a toll on farmers and the region's… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.In Northland, more jobs and better roads are high on the Budget wish list. Audio

8:43 AM.When the Finance Minister, Bill English, delivers the Budget tomorrow, there's little expectation it will contain much to tackle Auckland's two biggest problems - the shortage and cost of housing, and… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.Some community organisations are at risk of having to fire staff and cut their services if the Government moves on its plan to change how they're funded. Audio

8:34 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:28 AM.The convicted double-murderer, Scott Watson, will appear in the High Court in Christchurch today to challenge a decision that bans him from giving an interview to a North and South journalist. Audio

8:24 AM.Proposed changes to the Building Act would let the Government demolish any building that poses a safety risk in an emergency such as an earthquake. Audio

8:20 AM.Listening to that interview was the Green party co-leader, Metiria Turei, and she joins us. Audio

8:15 AM.The Government is being accused of back-tracking on its commitment to use tomorrow's Budget to tackle child poverty. Audio

8:10 AM.A fiery John Banks is demanding that the Solicitor-General, Mike Heron, be investigated for his conduct in the case against the former Auckland mayor and ACT leader. Audio

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

7:54 AM.So what are the priorities in Taranaki, our Taranaki reporter, Robin Martin, is with us. Audio

7:50 AM.Back now to this week's budget and the South Island's priorities. Audio

7:46 AM.The convicted double-murderer, Scott Watson, will be in the High Court in Christchurch today challenging a decision to ban him from speaking to a North and South journalist. Audio

7:43 AM.The man accused of raping Blessie Gotingco before strangling her and cutting her throat says he had no plan to carry out the killing. Audio

7:36 AM.Fire has destroyed two classrooms at Rotorua Girls' High School, amid dramatic scenes in the early hours of this morning. Audio

7:24 AM.The former Act MP, John Banks, says the Solicitor General Mike Heron should stand down while the Attorney General Chris Finlayson investigates his involvement in the failed case against the veteran… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.Joining us now are representatives from two community organisations whose funding could be affected by the Government's new strategy. Audio

7:17 AM.At risk young people could become more vulnerable under Government plans to change the way it funds some community organisations. Audio

7:11 AM.The Government is being accused of back-tracking on its commitment to use tomorrow's Budget to tackle child poverty. Audio

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

6:59 AM.The Dow Jones Index is up 14 points to 18,313. Audio

6:57 AM.Wynyard Group says the company is focused on ramping up its growth as it aims to take a big share of an estimated 8-billion-US dollar global market. Audio

6:54 AM.A resource analyst says it's hard to see who'd buy some of Rio Tinto's aluminium assets, including its smelter in Southland. Audio

6:53 AM.The Government says about one in six houses in Auckland are sold within two years of being purchased, but it's unknown how many are investment properties. Audio

6:52 AM.Producer prices have declined, reflecting lower fuel costs and weaker meat and dairy product prices. Audio

6:52 AM.Dairy prices have taken another dive. Audio

6:50 AM.Inflation expectations have edged up, but some analysts still expect the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates this year. Audio

6:48 AM.The power company, Trustpower, will continue to be the main driver of earnings growth for Infratil, even as the infrastructure and investment company pushes into the aged care sector. Audio

6:39 AM.The Government has been accused by lobby groups of back-tracking on its commitment to use tomorrow's Budget to tackle child poverty. Audio

6:27 AM.The Human Rights Commission is praising the police for its 'Turning the Tide' strategy which seeks to bring down the over-representation of Maori in the justice system; Indigenous Inuit fur hunters… Read more Audio

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

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

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

6:00 AM.The Opposition is on the attack over what they say is a half baked plan to lift children out of poverty from the Government. This hour, advocates say they're disappointed with what appears to be in… Read more Audio