Morning Report for Friday 8 September 2017

6:00 AM.Jacinda Ardern takes Labour to a narrow lead over National in the RNZ Poll of Polls, Florida is braced for the worst after Hurricane Irma devastates Caribbean islands, and A clear warning that player… Read more Audio

6:06 AM.A update from the team at RNZ sport. Audio

6:20 AM.The search was on at this week's National Secondary Schools Championships to find the next big name in rugby league. Could the next Shaun Johnson or Roger Tuivasa-Sheck come from the 24 teams from… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.New Zealand's tightest election race in years shifted up a gear last night with the most animated leaders debate yet between National's Bill English and his fast rising challenger Labour's Jacinda… Read more Audio

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

7:11 AM.Bill English has likened Labour leader Jacinda Ardern to "stardust", saying the excitement around her as a new leader won't last forever. But Ms Ardern was quick to respond during the third leaders'… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.Labour has edged ahead of National in the election race with the RNZ Poll of Polls showing it holds a one point lead - 42 to 41 percent. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson discusses the changing… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.The mother of an alcoholic man who was dumped at a bus shelter by Christchurch Hospital, and died two days later, says animals are treated better. Neil Jones, 47, died of alcoholic liver disease in… Read more Audio

7:36 AM.An independent report is warning rugby is at risk of losing its exhalted status and place in New Zealand culture because of player misconduct including sexual harrassment, violence, alcohol abuse and… Read more Audio

7:42 AM.For the first time, boys are being offered the free HPV vaccine this year and more than expected, two thirds, are lining up for the offer. And that's giving researchers increasing confidence there'll… Read more Audio

7:49 AM.Two Syrian soldiers have been killed in an Israeli-led airstrike on a site suspected of producing chemical weapons. Times of Israel reporter Judah Ari Gross says the site is also being suspected of… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.The Barrett brothers are back in Taranaki, bringing the All Blacks with them, as they prepare for this weekend's test against Argentina. The brothers say they're "fizzing" at the chance to play… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.Thousands more driverless vehicles will be taking to the roads in America after new law was passed by the US House of Representatives yesterday. Audio

8:06 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:11 AM.Bill English is calling it a drag race and it stepped up a gear yesterday with the latest polls showing Jacinda Ardern and Labour have their nose in front. Audio

8:39 AM.Hurricane Irma has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean. The Head of Red Cross on the island of Babuda, Michael Joseph, says the damage covers up to 95 percent of the entire island. Audio

8:47 AM.The decision by a Wellington youth clinic to stop taking new clients at the end of last year because of a lack of funding has meant it's had to turn away 800 young people in need of its help. Audio

8:52 AM.Repeat sex offender William Katipa has been found guilty of 14 charges including sexual violation and threatening to kill following a jury trial at the High Court in Auckland. Now, because of that the… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.Last month's dissolution of Tonga's Parliament by royal decree brought forward the elections by a year, and with it hope for some, that historic change could be on the way. Audio