Morning Report for Wednesday 15 January 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, the US National Weather Service is warning of powerful winds in the LA area, where several major fires are still largely uncontained, an unusually large number of homeowners will… Read more Audio

8:55 AM.The Rotorua Girls' Robotics Team have qualified to compete in the International Underwater Robotics Competition in Washington DC. Team member Siwan Lloyd-Jones spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

8:52 AM.A Canterbury University student who saw his neighbour's house burn down in a wildfire has been part of a research project aiming to protect rural homes from future blazes. Anna Sargent reports. Audio

8:48 AM.Data from Worldline NZ shows the West Coast is bucking that trend with a 4.2 percent increase in retail spending in December, as people got out and about in the region. Development West Coast chief… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Petrol prices are on the rise again, and the chair of advocacy group Drive Electric says an increase in prices at the pump often leads to a spike in EV sales. Drive Electric chairperson Kirsten Corson… Read more Audio

8:39 AM.Against all odds preparations are almost complete for Vanuatu's snap election on Thursday. RNZ Pacific editor Koroi Hawkins spoke to Paddy Gower. Audio

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

8:28 AM.The Christchurch City Council is defending its decision to press ahead with long awaited sewage plant upgrades for the Banks Peninsula township of Akaroa. Adam Burns has more. Audio

8:22 AM.An unusually large number of homeowners will have big decisions to make this year, with 80 percent of mortgages coming up for renewal in the next 12 months. Squirrel chief executive David Cunningham… Read more Audio

8:18 AM.A climate change expert says New Zealand's wildfire risk is on the rise and the country needs to start preparing now. Victoria University wildfire and ecology researcher Dr Nicola Day spoke to Paddy… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.The US National Weather Service is warning of powerful winds in the LA area, where several major fires are still largely uncontained. Correspondent Philip Crowther spoke to Paddy Gower. Audio

7:57 AM.Six planets are lining up across the night sky this month in a so-called "parade of planets". Astronomer and planet discoverer Ian Griffin spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

7:52 AM.Lulu Sun's bad run of form to start 2025 has continued, after the Kiwi was eliminated in the opening round of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Tennis commentator Dave Worsely spoke to Paddy Gower. Audio

7:47 AM.Selling Lotto tickets to those under 18 is set to be banned later this year. Problem Gambling Foundation advocacy and public health director Andree Froude spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

7:38 AM.A wildlife campaigner says the potential extinction of New Zealand's yellow-eyed penguins is partly due to "human interference". The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust General Manager Anna Campbell spoke to… Read more Audio

7:33 AM.Ukraine has launched one of its largest attacks on Russia since the February 2022 invasion, and Russia is vowing it will retaliate. BBC correspondent James Waterhouse spoke to Paddy Gower. Audio

7:26 AM.More than 400 boardriders ranging from their early teens to more than 70-years-old will take part in disciplines including long-boarding, stand-up paddleboard, bodyboarding and the pinnacle event -… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.Households are set to make big calls about their mortgages this year, as they weigh up their options amid falling interest rates. Business reporter Anan Zaki has more. Audio

7:17 AM.More than 160,000 students will be able to access their provisional NCEA results from last year's exams through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website on Wednesday. Secondary Principals'… Read more Audio

7:10 AM.As the death toll rises from LA's devastating wildfires, experts here are warning that New Zealand urgently needs to prepare for our own wildfires. Climate change correspondent Eloise Gibson reports. Audio