Morning Report for Wednesday 31 August 2022

8:53 AM.The Edinburgh Fringe Festival wrapped up yesterday, with Australian comedian Sam Campbell winning best show. 

The festival is famous as a launchpad for dozens of comedians and performers, including… Read more Audio

8:50 AM.If you're scared of teeth extractions because of a fear of needles, we've got some hopeful news for you.

A needle-free dental anaesthesia device has just been successfully trialed in a joint study… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.Where were you twenty five years ago today?

Most people over the age of 30 will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard about the death of the "people's princess".

A new… Read more Audio

8:42 AM.A warning about the risk of myocarditis following the Covid-19 vaccine was missed by the owner of the pharmacy where Dunedin man Rory Nairn was vaccinated.

Yesterday she told the inquest into the… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.The government's second Cost of Living Payment is due to land in bank accounts tomorrow.

The payment caused a fiery debate in the House yesterday amid concerns the first instalment went to many wrong… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.It's a year since Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen walked into a supermarket in Auckland and attacked shoppers with a knife he is believed to have picked up off a shelf.

Eight people were injured at… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.The health minister says he understands why midwives are taking the Ministry to court and that he was horrified to hear of workers' experiences.

More than 1300 midwives are involved in the class… Read more Audio

8:13 AM.More than 1300 midwives are taking the Ministry of Health to court, saying they are fed up with broken promises to pay and support them properly.

The class action, being led by the College of… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.There has been swift reaction to the government wanting to charge GST on service fees of managed funds including Kiwisaver.

The funds, are currently exempt from the 15 percent goods and services tax… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.The Greens' co-leader Marama Davidson has been criticised for breaking cabinet rules when she shared pictures of blocks of chocolate on social media.

Davidson posted images of the Whittakers blocks… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.The Waitangi Tribunal has heard of the struggle disabled Māori have to get decent care in remote areas.

It's also heard how health services battle to help because of inequitable funding.

The… Read more Audio

7:43 AM.The National Party leader says plans to charge GST on KiwiSaver fees should be stopped.

The move is part of a new government bill imposing GST on financial services, and modelling suggests it could… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.In Pakistan, more than 33 million people have been affected by the destructive flooding which has already killed more than 1000 people and affected tens of millions.

As the Monsoon rains continue to… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.The police are still seeking the culprit in a shooting in Linwood, Christchurch, yesterday.

A man was seriously injured in the shooting at a property near the intersection of Hereford Street and… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.While gang recruitment has been on the increase in recent years, so has gun violence.

According to police data obtained by Morning Report under the Official Information Act, deaths and injuries… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.A North Island mother who sent her son to Christchurch to escape a gang, says organised criminals are exploiting kids.

The mother - who RNZ has agreed not to name - says her child aged under 14 was… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.More than 1300 midwives are taking the Ministry of Health to court, saying they are fed up with broken promises to pay and support them properly.

The class action, being led by the College of… Read more Audio

6:45 AM.Alcohol plays a part in roughly 30 percent of road deaths - meaning more than 100 people die in their car each year with alcohol in their system.

In a blog post considering ways to reduce the strain… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have met with Ukraine's president, ahead of a visit to the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.

The UN mission comes amid fears… Read more Audio

6:12 AM.The government plans to charge GST on top of Kiwisaver fees - as part of a tax bill introduced to Parliament.

It's estimated to bring in $225 million a year in tax from 2026, and is expected to have… Read more Audio

6:08 AM.The most damaged section of State Highway 6 at the top of the South Island is finally reopening this afternoon, after floods devastated roads and infrastructure in the Nelson Marlborough region last… Read more Audio