Morning Report for Wednesday 23 April 2025

10:00 AM.In today's episode, New Zealand First has proposed new legislation to define the term "woman" in law as "an adult human biological female", the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Vicar for Māori says Pope… Read more Audio

8:54 AM.A new bilingual waiata has been released to mark the first ANZAC day without the any living members of the 28th Māori Battalion after Sir Robert Bom Gillies died last year. Singer is Nikau Grace spoke… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Volunteers across Wellington are keeping the lights on at former StarJam workshops, despite the umbrella organisation folding late last year. Kate Green reports. Audio

8:46 AM.The Funeral Directors Association says more Māori are choosing to have tangihanga at home instead of Marae. Ashleigh McCaull reports. Audio

8:40 AM.New data from Trade Me shows renters now have more choice and bargaining power than they've had in years, with rental listings up 41 percent year-on-year in March 2025 - the highest level since early… Read more Audio

8:37 AM.The ICC has released its updated One Day International rankings for women, the White Ferns rewarded for their all round talent. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:25 AM.Two widespread communications failures in the Northland storm and Otago-Southland within two days last week have again exposed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Phil Pennington spoke to… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.The Catholic Diocese of Auckland Vicar for Māori says Pope Francis will be remembered as a strong voice for Indigenous rights. Auckland Diocese Vicar for Māori and Te Ropu Māori chair Manuel Beazley… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.New Zealand First has introduced a member's bill that would do away with what it calls the "woke ideology" around the subject of womanhood. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:57 AM.Former professors of PHD student Kyle Whorall who was slain in an Auckland bus stop attack have described him as "soft-spoken, polite, and enthusiastic". Reporter Victor Walters spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

7:54 AM.US President Donald Trump is backing his Defence Secretary despite him being embroiled in yet another group chat scandal. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:53 AM.The Health Minister is not ruling out setting up a Patient Safety Commissioner to help boost public confidence in the health system. Political reporter Anneke Smith has more. Audio

7:36 AM.New Zealand First has proposed new legislation to define the term "woman" in law as "an adult human biological female". New Zealand First leader Winston Peters spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:26 AM.Five months after signing a million-dollar contract to set up its own childhood immunisation service, Whānau Āwhina Plunket has vaccinated fewer than 100 babies. Ruth Hill reports. Audio

7:16 AM.The UK and New Zealand will begin work on a new defence partnership, replacing the one signed in 2015. Reporter Soumya Bhamidipati spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:10 AM.The Vatican has confirmed a funeral for Pope Francis will take place on Saturday. Rome correspondent Seema Gupta spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:55 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

6:52 AM.The group representing lines companies says the rules for trimming trees near power lines are outdated and need fixing. Electricity Networks Aotearoa Chief Executive Tracey Kai spoke to Ingrid… Read more Audio

6:48 AM.Tonga's Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi is heading to the Vatican to pay his respects to Pope Francis. Media Association of Tonga President and the Tongan Catholic Newspaper deputy editor Viliami… Read more Audio

6:38 AM.Time now to catch up on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

6:26 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:24 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

6:15 AM.A boil water notice remains in place for the greater Greymouth area two weeks after it was first imposed. Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio