Morning Report for Wednesday 2 April 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins us for his weekly chat, US prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, three Te Pāti Māori MPs are planning to skip Wednesday's… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.The 50th year of Polyfest kicks off on Wednesday at the Manukau Sports Bowl, with 77 schools and more than 11,000 of performers set to take the stage over the next four days. RNZ Pacific's Moera… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Seventy-one-year-old Olympian Maurice Beatson is one of New Zealand's oldest elite athletes and showing no signs of slowing down, having just won his 215th Show Jumping Grand Prix title. Reporter… Read more Audio

8:46 AM.A patient information system lauded by Health New Zealand is among a raft of digital projects put on hold. Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:41 AM.Auckland businesses are frustrated the government's opted not to spend on hosting the next America's Cup in Auckland. Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:32 AM.Market Update for 2 April 2024 Audio

8:27 AM.Three Te Pāti Māori MPs are planning to skip Wednesday's Privileges Committee hearing over their conduct in the House, claiming their fundamental rights are being ignored. Law expert Andrew Geddis… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.A new report has found some Queenstown Lakes communities have to travel seven hours to see a specialist doctor and pay for healthcare that's free in other parts of the district. Tess Brunton has more.

8:12 AM.The Labour Party leader, Chris Hipkins, says an increase in defence spending is justified regardless of whether New Zealanders support it or not. Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

7:56 AM.Northern Districts have won the Plunket Shield and in a poetic moment, Northern Districts bowler Neil Wagner took five wickets as he concluded his domestic career at the same ground where he started… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.The survey of more than1000 workers reveals more than half regret their career choice, but only few actually change jobs. SEEK's Country Manager Rob Clark spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:47 AM.Police are investigating the unexplained death of a man in the Wellington suburb of Northland. Reporter Ashleigh McCaull spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:42 AM.US prosecutors have been directed to seek the death penalty for the man accused of gunning down a health insurance CEO in Manhattan last year. US correspondent Caroline Malone spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

7:36 AM.There are some high-stakes elections taking place in the US on Wednesday, believed to be the first real test for Donald Trump since he took office in January. Washington DC correspondent Simon Marks… Read more Audio

7:27 AM.The RSA is applauding war hero Lance Corporal Willie Apiata's decision to gift his Victoria Cross to parliament in the hope of changing the definition of who gets to be a military veteran. RSA general… Read more Audio

7:25 AM.A man is due to appear in court on Wednesday accused of ramming three police vehicles and injuring five officers in Lower Hutt. Reporter Nick James spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:20 AM.Markets across the world are nervously awaiting President Trump's tariff announcements. Financial Times Breaking News Reporter Peter Wells spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:10 AM.A new RNZ poll has revealed about half of voters think New Zealand should increase its defence spending. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:54 AM.Business news for 2 April 2025 Audio

6:50 AM.The four-part Beatles biopic, set to be released in 2028, has officially found its Fab Four. Beatles scholar Martin Lewis spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

6:44 AM.Consumers are likely to see a big bump on their energy bills this month, up to a 10 percent rise for some. Consumer NZ's head of Powerswitch Paul Fuge spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:40 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

6:28 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

6:26 AM.Latest news from Radio New Zealand's business team. Audio

6:22 AM.A British comedian who has previously mocked New Plymouth and called Central Hawke's Bay folk inbred is on his way back for more. Invercargill City Council manager of venues and events Jason Wade… Read more Audio

6:18 AM.Climate change Minister Simon Watts will help turn the first sod this morning, at what promises to be New Zealand's biggest solar farm. Climate change correspondent Eloise Gibson reports. Audio