Morning Report for Thursday 26 September 2019

6:17 AM.The first ever Maori appointed Chief District Court Judge says he is honoured to be given the role. Heemi Taumaunu says among his key priorities in the role is improving people's access to justice as… Read more Audio

6:20 AM.A stoush has broken out in Hamilton over plans to turn a feature lawn at the city's gardens into a carpark. The plan is part of redevelopment proposals at the gardens, which also includes new areas… Read more Audio

6:20 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

6:40 AM.A woman who came to the aid of a teenager who was abducted and sexually assaulted says the attacker or attackers almost ran her over as they were fleeing the scene. The 17 year old was forced into a… Read more Audio

6:49 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

7:11 AM.A woman who came to the aid of a teenager after she was abducted and sexually assaulted says it sounded from her screams like someone was being murdered. Police suspect the attack on Friday afternoon… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.US President Donald Trump has called the Democrat's impeachment proceedings against him the biggest witch hunt in history. The President is accused of violating the constitution during a call with the… Read more Audio

7:25 AM.British MPs are back at work today after the unanimous Supreme Court ruling which found that the government acted unlawfully when it suspended Parliamentary business for five weeks. The Prime Minister… Read more Audio

7:36 AM.New Zealand is to launch into negotiations with four other small countries to remove tariffs on environmental goods - such as solar panels or wind turbines. The Prime Minister announced the move at… Read more Audio

7:43 AM.The national students' union is demanding urgent action to ensure the case of a student left dead for weeks in his hostel room is never repeated. The Education Minister has called for Canterbury… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.Corin Dann speaks to Federated Farmers' Chris Lewis ahead of the release of Fonterra's annual results. Last month it said it was expecting to post a loss of $590 million to $675 million. As well as… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.Air New Zealand is promising it won't hike regional airfares on routes that Jetstar is abandoning until the end of 2020. From November, Jetstar is stopping flights between Auckland and Nelson, Napier… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.A new United Nations climate report is warning that the lives of hundreds of millions of people are under threat from rising sea levels. It says sea levels are rising faster than previously predicted… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.The royal commission into abuse in state care will now require police conviction checks for survivor advisory group members and all support people who accompany them to meetings. Commissioner Judge… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.The Green Party is championing a new potential deal with four countries to remove tariffs on environmental goods like solar panels and wind turbines. The Prime Minister announced the move at the UN in… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.National is questioning a government plan to limit sales incentives in the banking and insurance industries. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi says incentives such as overseas trips… Read more Audio

8:28 AM.Opening up a skid pad, creating more housing for single people and making the central city dog friendly. These are some of the policies from the lesser known candidates standing for the Christchurch… Read more Audio

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

8:39 AM.A Northland school principal says dumping school decile ratings will do nothing to change the perception of school quality. The Government announced this week that school decile numbers will be dumped… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.The man behind failed construction firms Stanley Group and Tallwood Holdings has appeared in front of creditors to apologise, saying he takes complete responsibility. Six Stanley construction group… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.A target of being carbon-neutral in 3 years time; a ferry from Miramar to the CBD, and a city that grows up instead of out. These are just a few of the policies being championed by some of… Read more Audio

8:54 AM.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy and even the All Blacks need a day off. They're chasing a third straight Rugby World Cup title in Japan and their next game, against Canada, isn't until… Read more Audio

8:55 AM.Grass verus tarseal. A row is brewing in Hamilton over what is known as the Rhododendron Lawn at the Hamilton Gardens. The council wants to turn the lawn into a carpark. Waikato reporter Andrew McRae… Read more Audio