Morning Report for Wednesday 19 March 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and American counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting now in what Peters has described a "dramatically changed" American diplomatic… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.It was once known as the "world's ugliest fish", but the blob fish fin-ished in first place in New Zealand's fish of the year competition earlier this week. Fish of the Year spokesperson Konrad Kurta… Read more Audio

8:52 AM.The Department of Conservation has joined an international effort to protect endangered leatherback turtles. Felix Walton has more. Audio

8:50 AM.Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Political Reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:48 AM.A private member's bill currently before parliament seeks to stop employers enforcing gag orders on workers talking about their salaries. Ellen O'Dwyer reports. Audio

8:42 AM.An acute shortage of radiography staff at Taranaki Base Hospital means patients are waiting months longer than they should for critical scans to diagnose cancer and other serious conditions. Taranaki… Read more Audio

8:38 AM.Latest research by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research suggests 'extreme atmospheric rivers' over New Zealand may double by the end of the century, making up a much bigger… 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 19 March 2025 Audio

8:25 AM.St Patrick's Day celebrations at Otago University fell to a new low on Monday, when a dead wallaby was roasted on a couch fire on Dunedin's notorious Castle St. Otago University Student Association… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.A Christchurch school has sent Associate Education Minister David Seymour a letter asking him to reconsider his refusal to give the school an "exemption" from its lunch contract with Compass. Haeata… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.A Wellington community is fearing for its safety after the death of a man who was found with critical injuries on a roadside on Monday. Local resident Ryan Street spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

8:10 AM.Foreign minister Winston Peters and American counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting now in what Peters has described a "dramatically changed" American diplomatic scene. Labour leader… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.The Black Caps batter Finn Allen believes he's benefiting from a change of focus after he and fellow opener Tim Seifert helped guide the hosts to a five wicket win over Pakistan in a rain shortened… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.Nottingham Forest star Chris Wood is back home which has local fans excited, but they're likely to be even more excited knowing that he would like to finish off his career playing back here. Wood… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.A report out on Wednesday from the New Zealand Initiative think tank says schools need a trade training equivalent to university entrance. The report's author Dr Michael Johnston spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.Lush Waikato farms are turning into deserts as drought conditions worsen and farmers struggle to grow grass. Reporter Alexa Cook is on the road talking to those most affected. Audio

7:40 AM.New Zealand has joined military exercises in the Californian desert testing the world's most lethal drones. Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:35 AM.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has had to wind back expectations over the timeline for a trade deal with India after a burst of overenthusiasm overnight. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch… Read more Audio

7:25 AM.School lunch provider Libelle Group owes more than $14 million to nearly 250 creditors, many of those creditors are schools. Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault spoke to… Read more Audio

7:20 AM.A new report from liquidator Deloitte shows that school lunch provider Libelle Group owes more than $14 million to nearly 250 creditors. Reporter Ellen O'Dwyer spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:18 AM.The TAB offered a $150 million deal to the government in a bid to secure an online casino licence. Guyon Espiner has been investigating the new online casino regime and he spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:10 AM.Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have wrapped up a highly anticipated phone call on how to bring an end to the war with Ukraine. Correspondent Nick Harper spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:06 AM.The Black Caps have taken a 2-nil lead in their five match T2 series against Pakistan with a five wicket win in a rain reduced second T20 in Dunedin. Audio

6:53 AM.Business news for 19 March 2025 Audio

6:40 AM.Over four-hundred Palestinians have been killed after Israel launched extensive attacks on Gaza on Tuesday night. Correspondent Giles Gibson spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

6:40 AM.Water storage levels in the country's hydro lakes have taken a nose-dive over the past few weeks. Meridian Energy's general manager of wholesale Chris Ewers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

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

6:26 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

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

6:17 AM.ACT party officials will be scouring their inboxes for expressions of interest from people wanting to stand under their banner at this year's local elections. Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler… Read more Audio

6:15 AM.Foreign Minister Winston Peters is due to meet with his counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:06 AM.The Black Caps beat Pakistan by five wickets in a truncated second T20 in Dunedin to take a 2-nil lead in the five match series. Audio