Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 15th August

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 chief economist, Sharon Zollner and chief executive of Retail NZ Carolyn Young join us, 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. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley discusses the Government raising the cap on seasonal workers coming into the country in a bid to help the horticulture and viticulture industries, the World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of MPox across parts of Africa a global public health emergency, and the Dunedin mayor is proposing a festival to promote the Dunedin Sound.