Morning Report for Monday 23 December 2019

6:00 AM.There's been a surge in complaints about the police. Sewage is still flowing into Wellington harbour. Australian firefighters struggle as they battle wildfires. A DHB calls for sweet treats to be sold… Read more Audio

6:06 AM.New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry battled through the pain of a rib injury before falling just short of winning the Australian PGA championship on the Gold Coast. Read more Audio

6:12 AM.A Northland father is unhappy that a university is charging students extra if they cannot afford to pay their hostel fees up front.

The man, who has asked not to be named, says AUT's $500 fee is a… Read more Audio

6:16 AM.After the mosque attacks in Christchurch this year, many were asking which agencies should have been keeping New Zealanders safe from extremism. Were there plans and strategies in place to identify… Read more Audio

6:40 AM.Raw sewage is still flowing into Wellington Harbour - and people are being told to stay well away from the water.

Parts of Willis, Ghuznee and Vivian streets are being closed to traffic because of… Read more Audio

6:42 AM.An afternoon at the beach is a quintessential past time for the perfect Kiwiana Christmas.

But depending where you are this festive season, will depend if that dip will give you a very unwanted… Read more Audio

6:44 AM.We found out they do things a little differently in Taranaki earlier in 2019.

Especially on the Forgotten Highway where becoming the president of the Republic of Whangamomona doesn't require… Read more Audio

6:46 AM.The Northland DHB says lollies, chippies and high sugar products should have to come in plain packs like cigarettes.

Its one measure in a health policy it helps will influence the region and the… Read more Audio

6:49 AM.We were touched when Nelson reporter, Tracy Neal, sent us this story about a 24-year old sheep, Busby, living in sunny Nelson.

His owners said he needed company and oodles of fresh fruits to stay… Read more Audio

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

7:06 AM.The newly promoted Black Caps opener Tom Blundell says he will not change his approach too much when he faces the Australian quicks in the second cricket Test in Melbourne. Read more Audio

7:10 AM.The Independent Police Conduct Authority says the number of complaints about the police have surged by about a third in the past year, putting a strain on its resources.

Up until 2018 hundreds of… Read more Audio

7:16 AM.Roads are closed in Wellington this morning as authorities struggle to fix wastewater pipes to stop the flow of raw sewage into the harbour.

Swimmers are being urged to stay out of the water because… Read more Audio

7:20 AM.A collapsed sewerage pipe has caused more than five million litres of sewage to spill into Wellington Harbour since Friday morning.

People are being told to stay out of the water, particularly along… Read more Audio

7:28 AM.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for going on holiday while the country struggled with a mounting wildfire crisis.

He cut his family holiday to Hawaii short after he was widely… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Could lollies, chippies and fizzy drinks soon be consigned to the same plain packaging as the biggest health baddy - cigarettes?

The Northland DHB is pushing for the change as part of a strategy to… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.Politicians have signed off for 2019 - a year bookended by tragedy and set against the backdrop of dramatic international events.

On 15 March a pair of deadly attacks rocked New Zealand, and more… Read more Audio

7:49 AM.This year's Census showed New Zealand has become even more diverse - but what about our canine population?

The national dog database, which contains registration data from every council in the… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.Christmas songs often get a bad rap but one in particular has people ducking for cover.

A festive game has stretched the globe where the players have to avoid a classic Christmas tune from the 1984.

8:06 AM.The New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry concedes he didn't think he would finish his final round at the Australian PGA Championship let alone be challenging for the title. Read more Audio

8:11 AM.The skipper of the boat that got separated from a diver yesterday, is describing it as a terrible case of deja vu.

Rob Hewitt spent four days and three nights at sea in 2006, drifting between Mana… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.New Zealand's loyalty to lamb has pushed glazed ham out of prime place on at dining tables this Christmas.

Retail Meat's Christmas census of 1300 people has laid bare food plans and preferences for… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Shop owners estimate the country's Santa Sack will contain 2.8 billion gifts this year costing $10 billion.

With just two shopping days left until Christmas people are being asked to spare a thought… Read more Audio

8:27 AM.We've crossed to a variety of correspondents across the globe throughout the year, and it's time to check in with them for Christmas.

RNZ's Paris correspondent is Hugh Schofield.

He speaks to Corin… Read more Audio

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

8:35 AM.Central Otago fruit growers say housing could come under more pressure as their industry expands.

While many orchards have staff accommodation available, some businesses say they're losing good staff… Read more Audio

8:49 AM.We've crossed to a variety of correspondents across the globe throughout the year, and it's time to check in with them for a retrospective on how 2019 went for their countries.

RNZ's correspondent in… Read more Audio

8:53 AM.It's been 32 long years since New Zealand have played a Boxing Day Test match against Australia - in Australia.

But come Thursday the Black Caps will face-off against their long-time rivals in… Read more Audio

8:57 AM.Two New Zealand superstars this year were a pair of Little Blue Penguins who made headlines around the world when they decided to make their nest under a sushi shop.

The pair crossed a busy four lane… Read more Audio

8:59 AM.It's barbecue season and the question is to add beetroot or not?

Earlier this year Whanganui man Geoff Horne was offered a beet-free burger at not one but four different takeaway joints in a row.

… Read more Audio