Summer Report for Wednesday 4 January 2017

8:54 AM.A creative writing programme inside Wiri Women's prison has uncovered hidden talents and is empowering inmates to tackle their issues through poetry. Audio

8:50 AM.An immigration expert says New Zealand has to ensure it is welcoming and interacting with migrants coming into the country. Audio

8:46 AM.The chief human rights commissioner says politicians need to come up with a long-term, joint-party strategy for housing New Zealanders. Audio

8:43 AM.The US President-elect Donald Trump has prompted House Republicans to back down from plans to weaken Congress's independent ethics watchdog. Audio

8:37 AM.The start of the new year marked the end of New Zealand's time on the United Nations Security Council. Audio

8:33 AM.Demolition of Wellington's Reading Cinema car park has begun this morning. Audio

8:28 AM.The family of Tama Retimana whose body was found floating in the Waikato river say they are struggling to deal with the death of their 'cheeky hunter-gatherer'. Audio

8:25 AM.District Health Boards around the country are considering following Wellington's lead in breathalysing people at their emergency departments. Audio

8:22 AM.Nineteen people have died on the roads this summer period- five more than last year. Audio

8:20 AM.A young Maori woman is claiming the Mad Butcher, Sir Peter Leitch made racist comments towards her. Audio

8:14 AM.Independent victim advocate, Graeme Moyle, heads the mental health watchdog group Psychle and joins us now. Audio

8:10 AM.The country's only convicted plane hijacker has almost completed her prison sentence and is threatening to hijack another aircraft if she gets the chance. Audio