Summer Times for Friday 17 January 2020

9:05 Impeachment, investigation and allegation in Washington DC 

The impeachment trial of the US president Donald Trump is underway at the US Senate in Washington DC.

The House impeached Mr Trump last month on charges of abuse of power, obstruction of Congress for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and for blocking the House from further investigating the scandal.

We cross to Washington DC for the latest

9:20 Australian open draped in smoke from bush fires

Heavy smoke from the Australian bushfires has forced some tennis players to pull out of warmup matches ahead of the Australian Open. Dalila Jakupovic pulled out of her qualifying match yesterday, and another match had to be abandoned as players struggle to compete in the smoky conditions.

The effects that air pollution from the bush blazes which are ravaging large parts of Australia is likely to remain a contentious issue. And to make sense of all this I'm joined from smoky Melbourne by DLI Sport's David Luddy 

9:30 More GP patients asking for medicinal cannabis

A survey of GP's has found many are being asked for access to medicinal cannabis, and that some patients are also admitting they illegally obtain their own cannabis to self medicate.

76 general practitioners were questioned for the survey, and the findings were published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

The lead author, Dr Karen Oldfield explains why GP's want more research into medicinal cannabis.

9:45 2020 in Hawkes bay 

Every day we've been checking in on what's going on in the regions in Aotearoa and the pacific. Today for our final regional round up we're heading to the beautiful Hawkes Bay to chat to our correspondent Anusha Bradley 

10:05 A big 2019 for Kākāpō Recovery

Conservationists hit a series of milestones in 2019 as they boosted the numbers of some of the countries most endangered species. The most significant of which was the Kakapo - as the population reached its highest point in seven decades.

It was a tremendous achievement for the Kakapo Recovery Group and represented years of tireless work - but what does that work actually involve AND at what point do the human stand back, and let the green parrot fend for itself?

To explain more we're joined by DOC Kākāpō Recovery Science Advisor Dr Andrew Digby.

10:30 Rosier Live in session 

It's time for some music! Quebecois five-piece folk outfit Rosier are just about to start a tour around New Zealand. The band was formed in 2009 and they explore the folk traditions of Canada, Quebec and Appalachian heritage, while adding their own spin!

11:05 New release films 17th January 

It's Oscar nomination season and everyone is upset about it! Meanwhile, new films keep coming out every week and our fearless film critic Dan Slevin throws himself at the good and the bad with fear about self care. He's her to look at a couple of brand new releases this week.

11:20 On the road - Susie Ferguson 

It's time for on The Road where we get a luminous New Zealander in to take us on a road trip that means something to them, and pick some music along the way! This morning I'm joined by Morning Report co-host Susie Ferguson to take us along with her as she discovered the country she now calls home, and play some absolute bangers.