RNZ
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RNZ National’s flagship news programme, known for breaking news stories and incisive interviews with politicians, newsmakers and commentators from Aotearoa and around the world. Hosted by Ingrid Hipkiss and John Campbell.
Morning Report Essentials Thursday 22 October
GP says early intervention is key to easing hospital pressure; Brownlee says threats against MPs have worsened significantly; Senior doctors urge parties to address specialist shortages; What Israel's new Pacific partnership means for the region
Kiwis urged to record calls of endangered wetland bird
Holidaymakers are being asked to do a little homework this long weekend to help one of New Zealand's endangered birds. Labour weekend happens to coincide with the start of the mating season for the often secretive Australasian Bittern, or matuku-hurepo. It means its distinctive booming calls will be a little more prevalent around wetlands in the coming weeks. There are fewer than a thousand left in the wild. So conservation group Love Bittern is asking for Kiwis to put aside a couple of hours to listen out for it and record what they hear. Love Bittern's Wendy Ambury spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Woman's bid to register her dog as an assist dog hits barriers
A deaf woman with a health condition has hit barriers getting her dog registered as a disability assist dog. There are eight organisations that certify and train disability assistance dogs, allowing the animals and their handlers access rights in public places, such as supermarkets, libraries and on public transport. But only one organisation will consider dogs that are already in a disabled person's house. Amy Williams has the story.
What Netflix's move into advertising means for Kiwi media
Experts are warning that the rollout of ads on New Zealand's biggest streaming service could be ushering in a huge shift in the local market. Netflix holds about 50 per cent of the streaming audience in New Zealand and in March it will roll out its ad-supported services to Kiwi viewers. But what does that mean for local content producers who rely on advertising dollars? Massey University professor of marketing Bodo Lang spoke to John Campbell.
Franklin community fights to save its century-old hospital
A small rural community in Auckland's south is fighting to save its hospital. The Franklin Memorial hospital served the local community for more than 100 years before closing for refurbishment in 2024. But now health authorities say they have no plans to renovate or re-open the doors. Rachel Moore reports.
Sports Chat for 22 October 2026
An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Market Update for 22 October 2026
Business update for 22 October 2026.
KiwiSaver tax debate heats up between Greens and Act
The Green Party says Act's KiwiSaver policy is only going to make the wealthy wealthier. The party wants to take tax off KiwiSaver returns. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been talking to them and spoke to John Campbell.
Redrawn boundaries add new dimension to Tāmaki contest
For decades, the Auckland electorate of Tamaki has been one of the safest National seats in the country. But after a shock result at the 2023 election, the eastern suburb has become a much more interesting contest, especially with the boundaries being redrawn to include Point England. This year, National wants to win it back, nominating Mahesh Muralidhar as the first candidate of Indian heritage selected by a major party to contest one of its traditional strongholds. RNZ Asia's Chen Liu reports.
Senior doctors urge parties to address specialist shortages
The union for senior doctors says while they welcome the attention placed on the shortage of nursing staff and GPs, political parties should also consider how they could help bolster the workforce of specialist doctors. Sarah Dalton heads the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Naylor Love CEO on whether construction is bouncing back
If the latest GDP figures are anything to go by, it seems the construction sector is starting to bounce back after a tough few years. Back in February, we checked in with the country's largest privately owned construction company - Naylor Love - whose main focus lies in commercial projects. The picture was mixed, with CEO Bruno Goedeke saying things were looking up. And so, eight months later, how are things now? In our weekly CEO slot Naylor Love's, Bruno Goedeke spoke to John Campbell.
First rat-free result offers hope for Raukumara kiwi
A big conservation project on the East Cape is thrilled to discover no traces of rats in a large block of the Raukumara Range where a small but mighty population of kiwi live. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti Reporter Alexa Cook reports.
Jo Moir's analysis of the minor parties' debate
Minor parties have a major role to play in this election, and last night they took to the stage to make their case to voters in the New Zealand Herald's Powerbrokers debate. RNZ's Political Editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Lauren Crimp breaks down the Powerbrokers debate
Minor parties have a major role to play in this election, and last night they took to the stage to make their case to voters in the New Zealand Herald's Powerbrokers debate. Political reporter Lauren Crimp watched it unfold.
Market Update for 22 October 2026
Business update for 22 October 2026.
Sports Chat for 22 October 2026
An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Iwi wants hundreds of Māori taonga returned from British Museum
East coast iwi Ngati Kahungunu is calling on the British Museum to return hundreds of Maori taonga, currently held in its collection. The Iwi's chairman says many of the items may have been taken from their whenua and burial grounds, and he wants the New Zealand Government to help bring them home. But a UK law makes it difficult for the museum to permanently return items from its collection.Ngati Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Dunedin refuge faces record demand as it marks 50 years
A Dunedin refuge is facing unprecedented and escalating demand as it marks 50 years of supporting women and children. Otepoti Dunedin Whanau Refuge triaged close to 150 referrals in September alone - usually it's closer to 90 and even that figure has jumped in recent years. Tess Brunton reports.
Brownlee says threats against MPs have worsened significantly
New Zealand MPs are facing growing threats and abuse, prompting Parliament to ramp up security. Speaker Gerry Brownlee says the situation has worsened significantly, with a specialist parliamentary security team handling more than 200 requests for help in just three weeks. It comes as Australian MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition following a serious attack in her constituency. Gerry Brownlee spoke to John Campbell.
GP says early intervention is key to easing hospital pressure
Primary health continues to be a huge issue this election, with early intervention seen as a way of easing pressure on hospitals. GP Dr Geoff Cunningham is a partner at Bush Road Medical Centre in Whangarei. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Business News for 22 October 2026
Business News for 22 October 2026.
Venues Ōtautahi prepares for huge week of sport
Christchurch has kicked off the biggest week in its sporting history. The Silver Ferns played Australia last night. The Black Caps face India tonight and on Saturday. Plus there's the NPC final between Canterbury and Northland on Labour Day. Add to that, the Rugby League World Cup doubleheader at Te Kaha Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Caroline Harvie-Teare is the chief executive of Venues Otautahi and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Dan Johnson on fresh push for Ukraine ceasefire talks
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has met with President Vladimir Putin in Russia. He presented the Russian leader with suggestions for the basis of a ceasefire, and suggested a renewal of trilateral peace talks with Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov has since commented that Russia is ready to resume the talks next month. It comes after Mr Witkoff met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday. The BBC's Ukraine correspondent Dan Johnson spoke to John Campbell.
Morning Rural News for 22 October 2026
News from the rural farming sector.
Sports Chat for 22 October 2026
An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.
Inside the $1.6b communications system for emergency services
A new communications system being built for police, ambulance and fire frontliners has been described as a game changer. Phil Pennington reports.
World news wrap for 22 October 2026
Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.
What Israel's new Pacific partnership means for the region
Israel says it's been accepted as a sectoral partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, opening the way for cooperation on water management, agriculture and climate adaptation. The partnership will give the Middle Eastern country much greater access to Pacific Island nations. Massey University associate professor at the centre for defence and security studies Dr Anna Powles spoke to John Campbell.
Morning Report Essentials Wednesday 21 October
Qiulae Wong on working with both sides of politics; Reaction to last night's poll and debate with Jo Moir; Woolworths removes in-store butchers across New Zealand; Felicity Roxburgh discusses Free Trade Agreement
Former ballet dancer turned vicar returns to the stage
An Anglican vicar who previously performed professionally with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, is making a return to the stage after 24 years. North Canterbury vicar Toby Behan, who performed lead roles in RNZB productions, retired from performing in 2002, and for the past seven years has been leading the Anglican Parish of Rangiora. But now, the 52-year-old is set to play the King in the RNZB's Christchurch run of The Sleeping Beauty, which opens this November. Behan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Woolworths removes in-store butchers across New Zealand
The Woolworths supermarket giant will now have no in-store butchers in this country, as all stores move to a centralised meat processing supply. Peter Martin, a butcher apprenticeships manager at Skills4Work spoke to John Campbell.
New data compares New Zealand's pension system with the world
New data has compared how New Zealand's pension system stacks up to the rest of the world. And this year, it's marginally more favourable. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at this and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
Morning Report Health Debate: Simeon Brown and Ayesha Verrall
National and Labour's health spokespeople talk about the issues facing the sector, and their plans to fix it. National's Simeon Brown and Labour's Ayesha Verrall spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Cost of living remains top concern ahead of election
The cost of living continues to be New Zealanders' number one concern in the lead up to the general election and organisations helping those who are struggling to afford the basics want parties to address rising inequality. With less than a month till voters go to the booths, the immediate household pressures of housing, food and fuel loom large. Amy Williams reports.
Black Caps-India T20 series draws sellout crowds
Christchurch and Hamilton are a sellout for the Black Caps versus India T20s, with Auckland's Eden Park match heading towards a record crowd. The five-game series opens to a sold out crowd at Hagley Oval tomorrow night. New Zealand Cricket's chief marketing and commercial officer Glenn Critchley is heading to the Garden City this morning and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Upper Hutt store eyes crowdfunding to compete with supermarkets
An independent Upper Hutt supermarket is asking locals if they want to own a piece of the business. Plenty Foods has launched a campaign to gauge interest in an equity crowdfunding offer, as it looks to raise capital and compete with the major supermarket chains. Its founder, Henry Hutcheon spoke to John Campbell.
Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
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