RNZ: Morning Report

A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson; With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink; The Government is investing $3.7 million to market New Zealand's regions internationally, encouraging visitors to travel beyond traditional hotspots during autumn and winter. However, critics warn infrastructure and environmental issues should be addressed before attracting more tourists; The new chief executive of Federated Farmers says he wants to create an "unfair" advantage for kiwi farmers at home and on the world stage; A new report from a global cybersecurity company says online scammers are using our "number 8 wire" mentality against us.

The New Zealand surfing Nationals have been on all week in Gisborne and they're getting to the pointy end of the competition with the men's and men's open finals tomorrow. Surfing New Zealand's Ben Kenings spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Liucy Thompson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from London with an update on what's been making news overnight in Europe.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Jonty Dine.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

A new report from a global cybersecurity company says online scammers are using our "number 8 wire" mentality against us. Specialist systems engineer at Norton Gen, Dean Williams spoke to Lauren Crimp.

The new chief executive of Federated Farmers says he wants to create an "unfair" advantage for kiwi farmers at home and on the world stage. Mike Siermans spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

New Zealand Rugby have given Scott 'Razor' Robertson the cut just half way through his four year contract. RNZ Sports Reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Migrants who were told their job was skilled and put them on a path to residence say the goalposts have shifted - and some are off to Australia.

The Government is investing $3.7 million to market New Zealand's regions internationally, encouraging visitors to travel beyond traditional hotspots during autumn and winter. However, critics warn infrastructure and environmental issues should be addressed before attracting more tourists. Tourism minister Louise Upston spoke to Lauren Crimp.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Jonty Dine.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

SPCA inspectors in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato have been getting up to 4 calls a day for dogs left in hot cars this summer. Jason Blair leads the team and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink. Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey Miller spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Locals in northern Auckland say busloads of people are turning up to beaches and taking everything from sea cucumbers to starfish out of rockpools. Jessica Hopkins reports.

A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson. Taine Randell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A Waikato regional councillor says rising visitor numbers are damaging the Blue Spring near Putaruru, with rubbish clogging toilets, coins thrown into the water and unsafe parking. He wants an access fee and a share of the international tourist levy to help fund protection and upkeep of the popular site; Signs of rising confidence and a possible peak in unemployment may influence the Reserve Bank's February decision, with potential implications for mortgage rates and borrowers; As vehicle dashboards rely more heavily on touchscreens, concerns are growing about driver distraction. ANCAP says it will reward higher safety ratings to cars that reintroduce physical buttons for basic functions, encouraging drivers to keep their eyes on the road; Streaming services could be forking over cash to support local productions should Labour get into government; While teenagers up and down the motu are opening their NCEA results, they're joined by 10-year old Raymond Hsu. In 2025, Raymond was one of the few, and definitely one of the youngest students to sit both NCEA and Cambridge exams, receiving his first GCSE certificate.

This week Wellington is hosting an international tournament for a sport you've probably never heard of. Floorball is particularly popular in Scandanavian countries, but it's beginning to pick up in popularity here too. Krystal Gibbens reports

While teenagers up and down the motu are opening their NCEA results, they're joined by 10-year old Raymond Hsu. In 2025, Raymond was one of the few, and definitely one of the youngest students to sit both NCEA and Cambridge exams, receiving his first GCSE certificate. Raymond's father Michael spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

It's been a year since the Wellington City Mission opened its crisis recovery cafe, providing round the clock support for anyone experiencing emotional distress. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge spoke to Lauren Crimp.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Jonty Dine

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

The US and UK have begun pulling troops from a key military base in the middle east. Associated Press correspondent, Philip Crowther spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Dubai.

IT experts say ManageMyHealth ignored warnings about vulnerabilities in its cyber security for years - but the regulatory vacuum meant the company was not required to take action. Ruth Hill reports.

Streaming services could be forking over cash to support local productions should Labour get into government. Irene Gardiner, president of the Screen Production and Development Association and RNZ board member, spoke to Lauren Crimp.

New research shows rising land and ocean temperatures across Zealandia, with 2025 the hottest year on record. The five warmest years have all occurred since 2018, highlighting ongoing climate change impacts. Dr Jim Salinger, co-author of the report spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The closure of State Highway 3 north of Mt Messenger for five days is forcing motorists to take lengthy detours in and out of Taranaki. From Friday, travellers will need to head south via Whanganui on SH4 or connect to SH1 at Marton, affecting concertgoers, holidaymakers, sports teams and local businesses. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.

An OE in London is often viewed as a rite of passage for travel-hungry New Zealanders and Australians. But even experienced expats are finding it difficult to secure work. Alice Wilkins reports from London.

While much focus was put on literacy achievement in schools in 2025, the break over summer raises the issue of a 'summer slide', a phenomenon studied around the world that has shown a loss of reading gains from the previous year and impact on interest too. James Chapman, Emeritus Professor of Education Psychology at Massey University spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An update on what's happening in the sports world

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

As vehicle dashboards rely more heavily on touchscreens, concerns are growing about driver distraction. ANCAP says it will reward higher safety ratings to cars that reintroduce physical buttons for basic functions, encouraging drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Managing Editor of NZ Autocar magazine, Richard Edwards spoke to Lauren Crimp.

Signs of rising confidence and a possible peak in unemployment may influence the Reserve Bank's February decision, with potential implications for mortgage rates and borrowers. Mortgage advisor Nick Niblett from Advice Knight in Auckland spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Dual UK New Zealand citizens are up in arms over a change that forces them to get UK passports or specific documents to return to Britain. Gill Bonnett reports.

A Waikato regional councillor says rising visitor numbers are damaging the Blue Spring near Putaruru, with rubbish clogging toilets, coins thrown into the water and unsafe parking. He wants an access fee and a share of the international tourist levy to help fund protection and upkeep of the popular site.

The Government hopes a law change will give the electricity authority more teeth to maintain a fair and competitive market; Business confidence has risen to its highest level since March 2014 according to the latest survey by the Institute of Economic Research; New Zealand has the world's highest melanoma death rate, but University of Auckland scientists hope a $1 million grant will help bring a new treatment to patient trials in just over five years; President Trump argues his country needs the mineral rich Island to protect against security concerns; This time of year sees a surge of people filing for divorce or breaking up with their partners.

The run of hot weather is ideal for the estimated 160,000 recreational boaties who launch into the waters in and around Waikato each year. RNZ's Waikato reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod jumped on a harbourmaster boat as it set out on an Operation Neptune patrol.

Mahe Braaksma has spent his summer holidays riding more than 3000km across the country on his own, hoping to be the youngest person to complete the tour Aotearoa bike trail solo. He spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Latest from Australia with correspondent Rebekah Holt.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Glen Larmer.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.

This time of year sees a surge of people filing for divorce or breaking up with their partners. Divorce coach, Kelly Sutton spoke to Lauren Crimp.