Morning Report
News & Politics
About
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.
Episodes
- Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 2 June
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to Morning Report; Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to John Campbell; Erica Stanford discusses new trade academy funding; Former defence minister discusses NZ nuclear-free status; Oncology professo…
- Much-loved Picton local recognised in Kings Birthday Honours
Joy Fletcher, a well-loved Picton local, has been recognised for decades of service to the community in this year's King's Birthday Honours. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- More e-bike chargers to be installed on cycling trails
More e-bike chargers are coming to New Zealand's cycling trails - in what's being touted as an economic boost for the regions. Hauraki Rail Trail CEO Diane Drummond spoke to John Campbell.
- Heavy rain causes flooding across top of the South Island
Properties have been evacuated and roads closed across the top of the South Island after heavy rain caused flooding overnight. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence says the worst affected areas are Riwaka, Brightwater and Wakefield. RNZ reporter Sa…
- Market Update for 2 June 2026
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
- Budget expectations low for over-65s advocates
A charity advocating for older people's rights say they're not expecting much in the way of support for over 65s in this year's Budget. Age Concern New Zealand chief executive Karen Billings-Jensen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Weekly interview with opposition leader, Chris Hipkins
Opposition leader, Chris Hipkins spoke to Morning Report.
- Auckland FC chief fan previews A-League grand final
Auckland FC fans are gearing up for what they hope will be the night of their lives, when their team takes on Sydney FC in the A-League Grand Final in Auckland on Saturday night. Chair of the Auckland FC Fan Representative Group, Tim Adams…
- Political update
An update on what's happening in politics from RNZ's press gallery team.
- Pensioners feeling strain of rising household costs
The rising cost of living has some pensioners making tough choices over what they can afford. Field correspondent Charlotte Cook reports.
- Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
- Market Update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
- Stats NZ data shows continued decline in births
The number of babies being born continues to fall, with the latest data from Stats NZ showing more than 1500 fewer babies were born last year. Danni Duncan has actively chosen to be child-free and has built a large social media following d…
- More funding for reading, writing and maths
The government is pumping more money into reading, writing and maths programmes in primary and intermediate schools. Canterbury Principals Association President Lisa Dillon-Roberts spoke to John Campbell.
- Energy debate heats up ahead of election
Battle lines are being drawn over the country's energy future, with Labour promising to pull the plug on a proposed liquefied natural gas import terminal if it wins the next election. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd reports.
- Researcher discusses rise in declined specialist care
New research has found one in five GP referrals for specialist care were declined. One of the researchers behind that report, Virginia Mills, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Business news for 19 May 2026
An early morning update from RNZ's business team.
- NZ Rugby and Touch NZ partner to grow participation
New Zealand Rugby and Touch New Zealand Rugby are today announcing they're formally partnering together. New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Lancaster and Touch New Zealand Chief Executive Joe Sprangers joined John Campbell in the stud…
- Update on Iran-US mediation from Washington DC
Pakistan says it has shared a revised Iranian proposal with the United States. Correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Washington DC.
- Morning rural news for 19 May 2026
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.
- Early sports update
An early morning sports news update.
- Schools question balance of new education funding
The government has unveiled a $131 million package for primary and intermediate schools. Political reporter Lauren Crimp reports.
- World news wrap
Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.
- Careers advisor responds to barista course criticism
A careers advisor says barista courses offered to high school students provide valuable practical skills and opportunities for young people. Craig Dyason, a career advisor at Albany Senior High School spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Morning Report Essentials for Monday 18 May
Winston Peters live after unveiling election promises; Erica Stanford live on post-NCEA education reforms; Weekly interview with Prime Minister; What Trump's China talks could mean for New Zealand; Auckland FC CEO live ahead of historic fi…
- Latest news from Australia
We crossed the tasman to speak to our Australia correspondent, Emma Cropper.
- Australia and Auckland claim stone skimming titles
An Australian with a calling and an Aucklander running on grit and determination are the newly-crowned national champions of stone skimming. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd reports.
- Concern over proposed Waitaki rates rises
A community leader in the Waitaki District is becoming increasingly worried about what proposed rates rises of between 19% and 45% might mean for those struggling to get by. Ray Henderson, chair of Waitaki Ratepayers and Residents Associat…
- Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
- Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
- Shoppers warned to brace for higher food prices
We've been told to brace for higher food prices as pressure on fuel continues. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been checking out the latest figures and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Raglan rides wave of excitement over surfing champs
Surf's up in the small Waikato town of Raglan, as it hosts the World Surf League, and locals are just as excited for what it means for the town. Finn Blackwell reports.
- What Trump’s China talks could mean for New Zealand
US President Donald Trump's trip to China wrapped up over the weekend. To break down what the talks may mean for New Zealand, Alex Tan, a Canterbury University professor of political science and international relations spoke to John Campbe…
- Auckland FC CEO live ahead of historic final
Tamaki Makaurau will play host to the A-League final for the first time, after Auckland FC booked themselves a spot with a convincing win over Adelaide FC in the semi's. Auckland FC's CEO Nick Becker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Commuters test new Wellington-Hutt cycleway
A massive new cycle and walkway between Wellington and Lower Hutt is being put to the test by commuters for the first time this morning. RNZ's Phil Pennington reports.
- Weekly interview with Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke to Morning Report.
- Market update
The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.
- Sports update
An early morning sports news update.
- Roundabout debate sparks talk on sense of direction
Last week's conversation about the "peanut-about" opened up another about people's sense of direction. One person listening closely was long-time orienteering enthusiast Pete Swanson, who reckons a sense of direction might not just be some…
- National targets sentencing discounts for offenders
National says it will scrap good-character discounts when sentencing sex offenders, if re-elected. Sam Troth is the founder of '"Road to Healing Aotearoa".. which supports survivors of sexual harm. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Ukraine offers NZ deal to build combat drones
Ukraine has offered New Zealand a deal to build military drones here as it shops its Russian-killing technology around the world. Phil Pennington reports.
- Erica Stanford live on post-NCEA education reforms
The government continues to move ahead with its major education reforms, with Education Minister Erica Stanford releasing details over the weekend of the system that will replace the soon-to-be-scrapped NCEA. Erica Stanford spoke to John C…
- Business news
An early morning update from RNZ's business team.
- Winston Peters live after unveiling election promises
Buying back the Bank of New Zealand and making KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory at birth are among the commitments New Zealand First is making to voters this election. New Zealand First leader spoke to John Campbell.
- BBC’s Thomas Mukhwana on Congo Ebola emergency
The World Health Organisation has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a "public health emergency of international concern". BBC's Africa correspondent Thomas Mukhwana spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- Morning rural news
The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.
- Early sports update
An early morning sports news update.
- Hydrogen truck firms eye momentum amid fuel costs
A partnership to get green hydrogen trucks up and running in New Zealand says there's renewed interest in the technology as diesel prices remain high. Climate change correspondent Kate Newton visited TR Group's Auckland depot.
- Teachers raise concerns over NCEA replacement
Education Minister Erica Stanford has confirmed the qualifications that will replace NCEA from 2028. President of the New Zealand Association for the Teaching of English, Pip Tinning spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
- World new wrap
Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.