RNZ National’s flagship news programme known for breaking news stories, incisive interviews with politicians across the political spectrum and newsmakers and commentators from Aotearoa and around the world. There's a lot to talk about in the mornings and Morning Report is covering the stories that matter to the people of Aotearoa.
In today's episode, Foreign Minister Winston Peters speaks about plans to evacuate New Zealanders from Israel and Iran. Donald Trump is leaving open the possibility he'll step into the fighting between Israel and Iran. New Zealand has paused its core sector support funding for the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. Magic mushroom drug psilocybin will soon be available for patients with treatment-resistant depression. And we cross to Aust...
Drones will be taking to the skies in Rotorua tonight to celebrate Matariki. At 8pm the light-up drones will perform a choreographed routine, with watchers on the ground able to see their movements as they whiz through the sky. Aronui Arts Festival trustee June Northcroft Grant spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
New Zealanders have filled out their last traditional Census form, with the five-yearly count scrapped from 2030. Statistics Minister Shane Reti says the Census isn't 'financially viable' and will be replaced by administrative data from other government agencies and smaller annual surveys. Senior research fellow from Auckland University Lara Greaves spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
New Zealand has paused its core sector support funding to the Cook Islands, citing discomfort with agreements signed by the island nation with China earlier this year without New Zealand's prior knowledge or sufficient communication since. The decision affects tens of millions in aid. The timing of the pause coincides awkwardly with NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to China, raising questions about diplomatic signals and potential discussions with President Xi Jinping.
Police are investigating the death of a woman found critically injured in a Christchurch carpark who later died en route to hospital. The death is being treated as unexplained. Authorities have clarified that this woman is not the missing Elizabeth Nichols, whose search continues.
A new report from the Drug Foundation highlights that in 2023 and 2024, 3.1 percent of adults reported taking psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and ketamine. In 2017 and 2018 only 1.3 percent of adults reported taking psychedelics - meaning use has more than doubled. Drug Foundation Director Sarah Helm spoke to Corin Dann.
Donald Trump's leaving open the possibility he'll step into the fighting between Israel and Iran. Correspondent in Washington Toni Waterman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
A rise in the number of pests being caught on Transmission Gully, and the fear of ferrets, is concerning those wanting to make Wellington predator free. Documents released under the official information act show that from January last year until this April seven-hundred-and-one pests were trapped or killed on the major motorway. Wellington Issues Reporter Nick James has more.
A commissioner will be appointed to run Northland's Dargaville High School after a damning assessment by the Education Review Office found fewer than half of its students are regularly attending school, with the same number failing NCEA level one. RNZ's Troy Matich has more.
The whanau of a Levin man who died in February at a beach near the lower North Island town believe one woman knows more about what happened to him than she's letting on. Police say the death of 34-year-old Michael Joseph Tamatea, whose body was found in a pond at Hokio Beach, was not suspicious. Lauren Crimp has more.
A group of South Island principals are rallying against what it claims are "discriminatory and unlawful" plans for a breakaway first fifteen rugby competition. The proposed new competition would be played exclusively among boys' schools from Nelson through to Invercargill. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Corin Dann.
The Super Rugby final is here and the Crusaders and Chiefs are seeking to carve out their own slice of history on Saturday night in Christchurch. Rugby reporter Joe Porter has more.
The government has announced the 'magic mushroom' drug psilocybin will become available for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatrist, Cameron Lacey, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Christopher Luxon has torn through a blitz of promotional events on his first day in Shanghai, spruiking New Zealand's wares before the serious diplomacy begins. RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch has more.
The government says it's exploring its options for evacuating New Zealanders from Israel and Iran but it could be weeks before air space re-opens. Foreign Minister Winston Peters spoke to Corin Dann.
Water safety advocates are calling on the government to adopt what they say is a common sense approach to lifejacket wearing. Associate Transport Minister James Meager spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
A new regulation will give the government power to override council plans it considers harmful to the economy. RMA reform minister Chris Bishop says the move is temporary, while the Resource Management Act is overhauled. He spoke to Corin Dann.
Economic growth numbers are due this morning with the consensus for a rise of zero-point-7 percent for the three months ended March. The 2degrees Shaping Business study found that 45 percent of those surveyed were optimistic about their prospects - up from 34 percent a year earlier. 2Degrees chief executive Mark Callendar spoke to Corin Dann.
Donald Trump says he may or may not become involved in Iran and Israel's ongoing conflict. He spoke to White House reporters after Iran's Supreme Leader said there would be no surrender, and warned against US intervention. Associated Press reporter Sam Mednick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Tel-Aviv.
