Morning Report for Thursday 15 August 2024

10:00 AM.On today's episode, many economists and retailers are welcoming the first cut to the official cash rate in four years, down 25 basis points, as a relief for mortgage-holders and businesses. ANZ's… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.Following the death of The Chills' frontman Martin Phillips, Dunedin mayor Jules Radich has suggested an annual music festival to keep the culture alive and support the city's modern music scene… Read more Audio

8:52 AM.The author Stacy Gregg has taken out the top prize at this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults held on Wednesday night in Wellington. New Zealand Book Awards for Children and… Read more Audio

8:47 AM.Palau's President says China is weaponising tourism in a bid to get the nation to leave its relationship with Taiwan. Caleb Fotheringham reports. Audio

8:43 AM.The Prime Minister flew out to Sydney Thursday morning for his first official Trans-Tasman meeting with his Australian counterpart where security and defence will be front and centre amid concerns… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.The Government's Nation-wide Service and Campus Planning report shows that by 2043, 9 out of 10 hospital beds will be filled with someone aged 65 years or over if the care model doesn't change… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.The half brother of Lachlan Jones has been recalled to a coroner's hearing where he's again denied he threw the three-year-old into an oxidation pond. Otago-Southland reporter Tess Brunton has more. Audio

8:30 AM.Market Update for 15 August 2024. Audio

8:22 AM.A structural engineer says he would rather his children learn in a potentially earthquake-prone building, than have their education disrupted. President of the Structural Engineering Society Nic… Read more Audio

8:16 AM.A police debrief on Cyclone Gabrielle uses the word "overwhelmed" five times in eight pages Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:13 AM.Residents of a notorious stretch of road in the Western Bay of Plenty say a median barrier is blocking direct access to their homes - and making the highway even more dangerous. Waikato reporter… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.First Home Buyers say a decrease in interest rates will ease pressure on people trying to get into the housing market. First Home Buyers Club director Lesley Harris spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio

8:06 AM.Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she doesn't feel like she's in her own body eight months into her comeback from a maternity break. Audio

7:54 AM.A Government report says that by 2043, 9 out of 10 hospital beds will be filled with someone aged 65 years or over if the care model doesn't change. ACA Chief Executive Tracey Martin spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

7:47 AM.The appeal of Gail Maney, Stephen Stone, Colin Maney and Mark Henriksen for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys in 1999 wrapped up in Wellington yesterday. Private investigator who was working on the… Read more Audio

7:43 AM.The health of a Northland river is in the spotlight following the discovery of so-called zombie fish and high levels of an unexpected pollutant. Peter de Graaf went to Dargaville to hear from worried… Read more Audio

7:37 AM.The World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of MPox across parts of Africa a global public health emergency. University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:27 AM.The Government is raising the cap on seasonal workers coming into the country in a bid to help the horticulture and viticulture industries. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley spoke… Read more Audio

7:24 AM.Bay of Islands Hospital can't take any new admissions from Thursday until Monday because of a shortage of doctors - that's according to hospital insiders. Ruth Hill reports. Audio

7:19 AM.A former meth addict says her 13-year-old brother and three year old son are lucky to be alive after getting six meth tablets disguised as lollies in an Auckland City Mission food parcel. Sarita… Read more Audio

7:08 AM.Many economists and retailers are welcoming the first cut to the official cash rate in four years, down 25 basis points, as a relief for mortgage-holders and businesses. ANZ's chief economist, Sharon… Read more Audio

7:06 AM.Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she still doesn't feel like herself on court eight months into her comeback from a maternity break, with the four-times Grand Slam champion puzzled at her lack of… Read more Audio

6:53 AM.Business news for 15 August 2024. Audio

6:47 AM.A former meth addict says she was triggered after her son and younger brother accidentally tried methamphetamine disguised as lollies. Finn Blackwell has more. Audio

6:42 AM.The Reserve Bank is increasingly confident that after a long period of high interest rates inflicted on the economy, inflation is finally under control. Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr spoke to… Read more Audio

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

6:27 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

6:25 AM.Latest news from Radio New Zealand's business team. Audio

6:17 AM.A proposal to merge Southland's four councils into two is being criticised as giving ratepayers "hugs and rainbows" by Gore's mayor Ben Bell. Southland District Mayor Rob Scott spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

6:08 AM.New Zealanders are being told the cost of living crisis is easing with inflation falling and more interest rate cuts on the way. Krystal Gibbens reports. Audio

6:06 AM.Former Kiwis and Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall has been inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. Audio