Morning Report for Monday 18 January 2021

8:55 AM.Magicians around the world are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first time a woman was sawn in half. The illusion was first shown to the public by PT Selbit in Finsbury Park in London in 1921… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.A team of Nepali climbers has set a new world record by becoming the first to reach the summit of K2, the world's second highest mountain, in winter. Dozens of climbers this winter had hoped to… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.Just weeks before the government appoints commissioners to the Tauranga City Council, local leaders still don't agree on the best way for the city to move forward. The council is set to be replaced by… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.The mayor of South Taranaki, Phil Nixon, says he's shocked to hear the police have launched a homicide inquiry after two people were found dead in Hawera early this morning. Emergency services… Read more Audio

8:34 AM.Nita Blake-Persen speaks to Stuart Smith, our Moscow Correspondent. Audio

8:28 AM.The earth is heating up, and so are hopes for climate action in 2021. Climate change strikers say they'll be back this year, after their plans for 2020 were stifled by the global Covid-19 pandemic -… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.Te Wananga o Aotearoa Waka Ama sprint nationals are underway in Cambridge. Racing began yesterday on Lake Karapiro, with the regatta running until the end of the week. Mani Dunlop speaks to Lara… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.The entertainment promoter, Gray Bartlett, says immigration decision-makers are playing favourites over which overseas music and comedy acts are being allowed into the country. British comedian… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.Half of the people in a new union survey say Covid-19 had a negative impact on their working life. That's the finding of the Council of Trade Union's annual work-life survey, which shows a snapshot of… Read more Audio

8:15 AM.The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce are applauding a one way travel bubble into New Zealand as an exciting first step for the island nation. On Thursday, passengers from the Cook Islands can fly into… Read more Audio

8:09 AM.It has been a long night for the American team challenging for the America's Cup after the American Magic monohull capsized. The team had been sailing towards their first win of the America's Cup… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.Hawke's Bay is one of Aotearoa's premier wine spots, drawing in tourists from across the country and around the world. But the region has recently been making a name for itself because of its craft… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.It's crunch time for apples - an orchard owner believes New Zealand could face a shortage in the coming weeks. The apple season is set to start sooner than usual, due to warm temperatures, but there… Read more Audio

7:49 AM.The number of tennis players forced to quarantine for two weeks ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne has risen to 72, after another person on a charter flight to Australia tested positive for… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.A flurry of shark sightings closed three Auckland beaches on Friday and two more on Saturday. For many New Zealanders seeing sharks at the beach is a big shock, but Department of Conservation shark… Read more Audio

7:42 AM.An Auckland foodbank service is still trying to meet the demand from families affected by the very first Covid-19 lockdown. The Village Community Trust founded by All Black legend Sir Michael Jones… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.The Restaurant Association says many eateries are still strugging to survive, almost a year after the Covid-19 downturn began. One of the latest casualties is well-known Asian-fusion restaurant… Read more Audio

7:36 AM.Some families in emergency housing are reporting their children are becoming emotionally distressed because of their living conditions. Demand for emergency accommodation has escalated this past year… Read more Audio

7:29 AM.An innocent man who was mistakenly arrested and held at gunpoint by police says he is traumatised and has not been offered any official apology or help. Brandon Moase said he and his friend were… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.An Auckland man who had a gun held to his head while his young son watched on is shaken by the Police's actions. Brandon Moase and his friend were handcuffed with guns pointed at them, in a busy mall… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.There's unprecedented security around Capitol Hill in Washignton DC, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Thursday. All 50 American states are also on alert for possible violent… Read more Audio

7:12 AM.The Covid-19 recovery minister, Chris Hipkins, says New Zealanders have to wait for the vaccine to roll out in countries being ravaged by the virus before they'll get their turn. New Zealand's… Read more Audio

7:08 AM.The American Magic yacht is back at its base on Auckland's waterfront after a dramatic capsize yesterday. The team were sailing towards their first win of the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series… Read more Audio