Rnz: Morning Report

On today's episode, many economists and retailers are welcoming the first cut to the official cash rate in four years, down 25 basis points, as a relief for mortgage-holders and businesses. ANZ's chief economist, Sharon Zollner and chief executive of Retail NZ Carolyn Young join us, a former meth addict says her 13-year-old brother and three year old son are lucky to be alive after getting six meth tablets disguised as lollies in an Auckland City Mission food parcel. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley discusses the Government raising the cap on seasonal workers coming into the country in a bid to help the horticulture and viticulture industries, the World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of MPox across parts of Africa a global public health emergency, and the Dunedin mayor is proposing a festival to promote the Dunedin Sound.

The author Stacy Gregg has taken out the top prize at this year's New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults held on Wednesday night in Wellington. New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults convenor Maia Bennett spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Palau's President says China is weaponising tourism in a bid to get the nation to leave its relationship with Taiwan. Caleb Fotheringham reports.

The Prime Minister flew out to Sydney Thursday morning for his first official Trans-Tasman meeting with his Australian counterpart where security and defence will be front and centre amid concerns over any potential AUKUS involvement. Political Reporter Lillian Hanley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Government's Nation-wide Service and Campus Planning report shows that by 2043, 9 out of 10 hospital beds will be filled with someone aged 65 years or over if the care model doesn't change. Director of Health New Zealand Ageing Well Andy Inder spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The half brother of Lachlan Jones has been recalled to a coroner's hearing where he's again denied he threw the three-year-old into an oxidation pond. Otago-Southland reporter Tess Brunton has more.

Market Update for 15 August 2024.

A structural engineer says he would rather his children learn in a potentially earthquake-prone building, than have their education disrupted. President of the Structural Engineering Society Nic Brooke spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A police debrief on Cyclone Gabrielle uses the word "overwhelmed" five times in eight pages Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Residents of a notorious stretch of road in the Western Bay of Plenty say a median barrier is blocking direct access to their homes - and making the highway even more dangerous. Waikato reporter Natalie Akoorie says a review is now under way.

First Home Buyers say a decrease in interest rates will ease pressure on people trying to get into the housing market. First Home Buyers Club director Lesley Harris spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she doesn't feel like she's in her own body eight months into her comeback from a maternity break.

A Government report says that by 2043, 9 out of 10 hospital beds will be filled with someone aged 65 years or over if the care model doesn't change. ACA Chief Executive Tracey Martin spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The appeal of Gail Maney, Stephen Stone, Colin Maney and Mark Henriksen for the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys in 1999 wrapped up in Wellington yesterday. Private investigator who was working on the appeal Tim McKinnel spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The health of a Northland river is in the spotlight following the discovery of so-called zombie fish and high levels of an unexpected pollutant. Peter de Graaf went to Dargaville to hear from worried locals.

The World Health Organization has declared the rapid spread of MPox across parts of Africa a global public health emergency. University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Government is raising the cap on seasonal workers coming into the country in a bid to help the horticulture and viticulture industries. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Nadine Tunley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Bay of Islands Hospital can't take any new admissions from Thursday until Monday because of a shortage of doctors - that's according to hospital insiders. Ruth Hill reports.

A former meth addict says her 13-year-old brother and three year old son are lucky to be alive after getting six meth tablets disguised as lollies in an Auckland City Mission food parcel. Sarita Kaukau spoke to Morning Report producer Rayssa Almeida.

Many economists and retailers are welcoming the first cut to the official cash rate in four years, down 25 basis points, as a relief for mortgage-holders and businesses. ANZ's chief economist, Sharon Zollner and chief executive of Retail NZ Carolyn Young spoke to Guyon Espiner.