Morning Report for Wednesday 3 May 2023

8:54 AM.Coming into the election, the state of roads is still the number one transport concern, according to an Automobile Association survey. Spokesperson Dylan Thomsen says more than 80 percent of its… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Nine Rimutaka Prison staff suspected of misconduct are still on paid leave a year after investigations began. One has recently been cleared but it is not certain if they will be returning to work at… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.The government has ruled out following Australia's crackdown on vaping - at least this term. The Australian government is restricting flavoured and colourful vapes from retail, and non-prescription… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.The government has ruled out following Australia's crackdown on vaping - at least this term. The Australian federal government has announced tough new measures in an effort to stop young people taking… Read more Audio

8:36 AM.Researchers at AUT have found that suffering concussion can increase the chances of later violent criminal behaviour -- even a relatively mild concussion. The findings, which are being published today… Read more Audio

8:24 AM.Jono Ridler hasn't stopped swimming since 10 o'clock Tuesday morning and won't until Wednesday night. The west-Auckland athlete has set himself the record-breaking task of open water swimming… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.Hawkes Bay growers are staring down financial ruin as they desperately await word of government help for the sector to help it recover from Cyclone Gabrielle. Fruit trees, crops and vines are being… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.Employment numbers for the three months ended March are due out on Wednesday. Economists are predicting unemployment will be marginally higher. RNZ business editor Gyles Beckford spoke with Ingrid… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.In an extraordinary move the Labour Minister Meka Whaitiri is ditching her party to stand for Te Pati Maori in October's general election. The Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP, will make the announcement at 9:30 on… Read more Audio

7:45 AM.In a surprise move the government minister Meka Whaitiri is set to resign from Labour and join Te Pati Maori. RNZ understands Ms Whaitiri, who has been MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti since a by-election in… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Te Pati Maori is celebrating a win today as Labour Minister Meka Whaitiri shifts allegiance and ditches Labour. The Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP will stand for Te Pati Maori in October's general election. Former… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.The head of Immigration New Zealand says she will personally sign off on any further dawn arrests of overstayers. The government wants such arrests to stop unless there's serious risk otherwise it's… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.Toyota NZ is warning tens of thousands of people who have pre-ordered cars are in for a rude surprise. Changes to the Clean Car Discount scheme will have a dramatic impact, says chief executive Neeraj… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.How do you feel about the cheapest new car being $15,000 more expensive in three years time?. That is where the industry is warning prices could go as five out of the eight most popular hybrids lose… Read more Audio

7:15 AM.A court has ruled that a woman who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after a former partner shared a sex video on one of the world's largest porn sites, is entitled to help from ACC. The woman's… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.In a surprise move the government minister Meka Whaitiri is set to resign from Labour and join Te Pati Maori. RNZ understands Ms Whaitiri, who has been MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti since a by-election in… Read more Audio

6:46 AM.Half of New Zealanders are worrying themselves sick about money, according to a new survey. Younger Kiwis are disproportionately affected: 64 per cent of respondents aged 37 or below worry about… Read more Audio

6:43 AM.Severe weather warnings are in place for parts of the North Island and the west of the South Island this morning. Buller is following events closely, after being walloped by wild weather twice over… Read more Audio

6:42 AM.In a surprise move the government minister Meka Whaitiri is set to resign from Labour and join Te Pati Maori. RNZ understands Ms Whaitiri, who has been MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti since a by-election in… Read more Audio

6:12 AM.An orange heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty remains in place until early this afternoon. There is surface flooding and State Highway 2 is closed near Whakatane, at the Waimana Gorge, due to… Read more Audio

6:08 AM.South Auckland has been outdone by other areas of the city in the number of public submissions on Auckland Council's controversial proposed budget. Forty thousand people across the super city have… Read more Audio