Morning Report for Wednesday 27 July 2022

8:55 AM.It's fair to say some feathers were ruffled last year when the Pekapeka tou-roa - or Long-Tailed Bat - was crowned Bird of the Year.

Well, it will be a fleeting reign.

Forest and Bird has announced… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Many residents across the Waimate District will be stuck at home today due to flooding on State Highway 1.

Mayor Craig Rowley spoke to Corin Dann. Read more Audio

8:43 AM.The government's goal for Aotearoa to be smokefree by 2025 negotiated its first hurdle in Parliament last night.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill - which passed its… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.Auckland Council has deferred a vote on plans to significantly reduce on-street parking spaces in favour of cycling and bus lanes.

More than 900 submissions came in during consultation, the vast… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.Details of how donors to both the Labour and National parties allegedly concealed their identities are under scrutiny in a High Court trial in Auckland.

Seven people are facing Serious Fraud Office… Read more Audio

8:24 AM.It's one of the great household struggles - getting a child to eat their veggies.

But new research shows that introducing a baby to only vegetables as their first solid foods - so no fruit - may help… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.The Government is seeking urgent advice on whether further changes to the political donations regime are needed.

It follows the New Zealand First Foundation case which ended in an acquittal that… Read more Audio

8:19 AM.Rising registration costs and the risk of Covid-19 are prompting some relief teachers to look for other work just when schools need them more than ever.

Official figures show there are more school… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.European Union energy ministers have agreed to cut gas use by 15 percent between August and March.

EU leaders are worried Russia will cut off gas supplies to Europe and is using energy supplies as a… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.Staffing shortages were so bad at Dunedin Hospital over the weekend, 21 students were called in from the Otago Polytechnic Nursing school to cover a total of 27 hospital aide shifts.

The students… Read more Audio

7:42 AM.It was an eventful first day back at Parliament for National Party leader Christopher Luxon after the winter recess.

On Thursday last week, it was thought Luxon was in Te Puke, as it turns out, he… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.Weveral households were evacuated in Canterbury on Tuesday night as the rain continues to wreak havoc.

Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management controller Sean Poff spoke to Susie Ferguson. Read more Audio

7:27 AM.More helipads have been approved for Aotea Great Barrier and Waiheke islands despite community opposition.

Locals are frustrated at the rate consents are being granted and aim to increase their… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.It was quite the first day back for Parliament, after a long winter recess.

National leader Chris Luxon was smarting after a social media gaffe, the Greens front bench was putting on a brave face… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.Metservice forecasts that the rain will ease over Christchurch today, as residents asses the extent of flood damage, and start to clean up.

Slips, school closures, and widespread surface flooding hit… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.Dunedin is expecting 50 millimetres of rain by 10 o'clock this morning, on top of what has already fallen. Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Susie Ferguson from near Montgomery Avenue. Audio

7:09 AM.Rain has eased in Dunedin with those evacuated from their homes in North Dunedin able to return to their homes.

But many roads in Otago remain closed and care is advised. Waitaki Council road manager… Read more Audio

6:48 AM.Waka Kotahi has urged drivers to postpone their journeys as rising waters close roads across the South Island.

Access to dozens of roads across Canterbury and Otago remain heavily restricted or… Read more Audio

6:45 AM.Christchurch was inundated with more than 70mm of rain in 24 hours yesterday, with some locals calling it the worst flooding in a decade.

Schools, businesses and roads were closed due to the rising… Read more Audio

6:44 AM.Residents who were evacuated in North Dunedin are being allowed back into their homes this morning.

People from 35 properties between Montgomery Avenue and Leith Street, and several patients from the… Read more Audio

6:20 AM.Seven rugby league players, including three New Zealanders, will sit out Manly's NRL match against the Sydney Roosters this weekend, because Manly will wear a special rainbow jersey in support of… Read more Audio

6:15 AM.Floods and heavy rain have battered the Waitaki District, with more than 20 roads still closed due to flooding.

The council has advised schools those roads would not reopen in time for the school run… Read more Audio

6:12 AM.Dunedin Civil Defence Emergency Management is on alert this morning to assess damage to the city from flooding.

People from 35 homes in the city were evacuated last night as the Water of Leith rose.

6:09 AM.Mother Nature has offered no respite in the South Island as heavy rain again lashes the region.

North Otago bore the brunt of the rain overnight which was drenched with 90mm of rain - but no major… Read more Audio