Morning Report for Thursday 18 July 2024

12:17 PM.Public health experts are alarmed the Associate Health Minister has disregarded Ministry of Health advice about oral nicotine products, and wants to allow the sale of snus and nicotine pouches. An… Read more Audio

12:13 PM.Two separate bus crashes this morning on the road between Tekapo and Twizel have sent four people to hospital. Two are seriously injured, with one flown to Dunedin Hospital, and the other to Timaru… Read more Audio

10:00 AM.On today's episode, the Defence Force is freezing pay, cutting civilian jobs, and stopping some of its programmes - as it grapples with a budget shortfall of $130 million, fares for some Air New… Read more Audio

8:57 AM.Pig hunting is popular on the Chatham Islands, attracting tourists and providing kai, but the pig population has got out of control and residents say that's causing widespread damage. Tess Brunton… Read more Audio

8:47 AM.Almost a month on from June's devastating floods in Wairoa and residents are still cleaning up their properties, but many are unsure when their homes will be livable again. Many are angry at the… Read more Audio

8:47 AM.Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has slashed the excise tax on heated tobacco products by half, aiming to make them a more appealing alternative to smoking. Casey Costello is also weighing the… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.The forestry sector is warning that tree-planting numbers for this year might be about half of what the government predicts in its emission reduction plans. The plan, announced by Minister of Climate… Read more Audio

8:34 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

8:29 AM.Market Update for 18 July 2024 Audio

8:27 AM.Several court challenges are kicking off against the police using cameras that identify car number plates in criminal cases. There are thousands such automated number plate recognition cameras - or… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Air New Zealand is disputing claims from Consumer NZ some airfares have surged by up to 300 percent in the past five years. Consumer NZ compared the prices of eleven flights in 2023 and 2024 with… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.A mortgage broker says people can only manage for so long, with an increasing number feeling the strain. Mortgage rates are starting to fall in the face of weaker than expected inflation figures… Read more Audio

8:14 AM.An international relations expert says pay freezes, and voluntary redundancies in the military will hamper its ability to deploy. In an email to all staff yesterday, the Chief of Defence Force Air… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.Flights have been cancelled, others delayed in Auckland due to fog. Ferries are also affected with delays and cancellations, drivers are also being asked to take care. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.New South Wales have won the State of Origin series after a classic decider in Brisbane, beating Queensland 14-4 in the third match last night. Audio

7:56 AM.Locals fear the future of one of Russell's most historic and most loved buildings is under threat. Originally built as a Custom House in 1870 when the Bay of Island's town was a bustling port, for the… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.Migrant young people who were previously left in limbo waiting for their parents' residency will now legally be able to work. The government has announced those eligible will be able to work up to 20… Read more Audio

7:43 AM.Fares for some Air New Zealand flights have surged by up to three hundred per cent in the past five years according to Consumer NZ. It found in one case, a last minute booking of a return flight to… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Airlines say it could be another year until Auckland Airport lowers its aviation prices. That's despite a draft Commerce Commission report yesterday which found the Airport was in line to make about… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.Day three of the Republican National Convention will kick off soon in Milwaukee, with today's theme being "Make America Strong Once Again". Wednesday saw a show of unity from the GOP, with former… Read more Audio

7:23 AM.Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has delivered a fifty percent cut to the excise tax rate on Heated Tobacco Products - where tobacco is heated to a vapour rather than burned - as she aims to… Read more Audio

7:18 AM.Mortgage interest rates are beginning to fall in the face of softer-than-expected inflation numbers. ANZ, the country's biggest bank, has followed Westpac's lead by cutting its home loan and term… Read more Audio

7:17 AM.Thick fog in Auckland is expected to cause travel disruption in the city this morning. Fog restrictions are in place at Auckland Airport this morning, with delays and cancellations expected. Delays… Read more Audio

7:10 AM.The Public Service Association says pay freezes and redundancies at the New Zealand Defence Force will affect its ability and capacity to operate. In an email to all staff on Wednesday, the Chief of… Read more Audio

7:06 AM.Former Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has won the State of Origin series in his first season as New South Wales coach. Audio

6:56 AM.Business news for 18 July 2024 Audio

6:47 AM.The acting Prime Minister says Health New Zealand's governance is "chaotic", criticising the board for poor cost management and oversight. David Seymour says the government isn't planning to break up… Read more Audio

6:42 AM.Inflation is the lowest it's been for three years but there's still plenty of pain. Annual inflation has dropped to 3.3 percent, but rents, rates and insurance are going up more. Maia Ingoe reports. Audio

6:38 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

6:29 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

6:20 AM.Latest news from Radio New Zealand's business team. Audio

6:13 AM.The Defence Force is freezing pay, cutting civilian jobs, and stopping some of its programmes - as it grapples with a budget shortfall of $130 million. In an email to all staff yesterday, the Chief of… Read more Audio

6:10 AM.Former President Donald Trump has watched some of his former rivals pledge their support at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee for his bid to return to the White House. The Convention will hear… Read more Audio

6:10 AM.Former President Donald Trump has watched some of his former rivals pledge their support at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee for his bid to return to the White House. The Convention will hear… Read more Audio

6:06 AM.New South Wales have claimed the State of Origin series, with a 14-4 win over Queensland in Brisbane. Audio