RNZ: Morning Report

In today's episode, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has defended the government's budget decisions including changes to Kiwisaver, saying most workers will end up with larger retirement savings, new sanctions marking the next phase of the government's Traffic Light welfare system, mean beneficiaries who fail to meet their obligations can have half their benefits restricted to being spent on essentials-only for a month, President Donald Trump said he wants the "names and countries" of every international student enrolled at Harvard University, and Auckland FC's dream first season is over after they were knocked out in the A-League semi-finals by Melbourne Victory.

In front of 29,000 fans at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland FC's dream debut season in the A-League has ended in heartbreak. Auckland FC's Coach Steve Corica spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The unique challenges of building high on a mountain has meant everything including the kitchen sink has to be helicoptered onto the site of a new trampers' hut in Taranaki's national park. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

A youth advocate says young people in crisis will be hardest hit by the Government's new benefit sanctions. Youth advocate and founder of the charity KickBack Aaron Hendry spoke to Corin Dann.

It's the end of the season for football leagues up North.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

The Black Ferns' emphatic 79-14 win over the USA at the weekend saw several new contenders put their hands up for World Cup spots. Vici-Rose Green spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The New Zealand Association of Scientists is disappointed with the new budget, calling it 'the black hole budget'. Co-President Troy Baisden spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

President Donald Trump said he wants the "names and countries" of every international student enrolled at Harvard University. Harvard political scientist Ryan Enos spoke to Corin Dann.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons says outsourcing surgeries to private hospitals will reduce hands-on training opportunities for future surgeons. College of Surgeons New Zealand chair Ros Pochin spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has defended the government's budget decisions including changes to Kiwisaver, saying most workers will end up with larger retirement savings. Willis spoke to Corin Dann.

A Hamilton bookstore owner says the actions of a man who keeps vandalising biographies of high-profile New Zealand women is disrespectful. Pennys' Bookstore owner Nichola Carter spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland FC's dream first season is over after they were knocked out in the A-League semi-finals by Melbourne Victory. Felicity Reid has this report.

Repairs get underway in Auckland on Monday on an Air New Zealand plane left with a hole after it hit an air-bridge. Air New Zealand's chief safety and risk officer Nathan McGraw spoke to Corin Dann.

MetService warnings and watches are in place for heavy rain and severe gales forecast, particularly for the West Coast.

New sanctions marking the next phase of the government's Traffic Light welfare system, mean beneficiaries who fail to meet their obligations can have half their benefits restricted to being spent on essentials-only for a month. Labour social development spokesperson Willie Jackson spoke to Corin Dann.

Auckland Transport is working with fire investigators to find out what caused a bus to catch fire in Epsom on Sunday night. Reporter Jessica Hopkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Health Minister has been warned that outsourcing more elective surgeries will limit training opportunities for future surgeons. Anusha Bradley reports.

The Green Party is claiming the Government's budget has an uncosted hole of up to $714 million, coming from increased KiwiSaver contributions for public sector workers. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration's plan to strip Harvard University of its ability to enrol foreign students. Politico Senior Legal Affairs Reporter Josh Gerstein spoke to Corin Dann.

Beneficiaries who fail to meet their obligations could have half their payment restricted to essentials-only for a month or do community work at least five hours a week. Beneficiaries advocate Kay Brereton spoke to Corin Dann.

News from the rural and farming sector.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

New Zealand firefighters are heading for New South Wales as it grapples with the response and clean-up of the devastating floods. Fire and Emergency New Zealand assistant national commander Nick Pyatt spoke to Corin Dann.

Russia has carried out the largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of the war. Hundreds of missiles and drones were fired, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more. The BBC's James Waterhouse spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, the Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, has described the Budget as responsible, and what governments do to avoid austerity, Labour's Finance spokesperson says the government's changes to KiwiSaver will take money away from New Zealand's poorest workers, as part of the 2025 budget, the government will halve its yearly contributions, while minimum contributions for employers will lift to four percent in 2028, BusinessNZ is welcoming the new budget, saying it's credible and growth-oriented, and we cross the Tasman to get the latest from Kerry-Anne Walsh.

It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Auckland FC are one win away from an historic A-League grand final. Felicity Reid has this report.

An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere.

Market Update for 23 May 2025

An interesting subplot to Thursday's Budget, and the Parliamentary debate after it, was the absence of the Te Pāti Māori leaders from the house. Māori News Journalist Pokere Paewai reports.

KiwiSaver changes announced in the Budget have captured a lot of attention. But will they leave us better off, worse off, or much the same? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Morning Report that while the Budget is responsible, it has something for every New Zealander. RNZ's political editor Jo Moir and RNZ's business editor Gyles Beckford spoke to Corin Dann.

Christchurch will host the South Island's first ever Australian Supercars event from next year.

BusinessNZ is welcoming the new budget, saying it's credible and growth-oriented. BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Retirement Commissioner says the changes in the new budget are great news for most KiwiSaver members. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson spoke to Corin Dann.

As part of the 2025 budget, the government will halve its yearly contributions, while minimum contributions for employers will lift to four percent in 2028. Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government's $747 million boost for learning support seems to be getting the thumbs up from school principals. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

Disappointed GPs say the lack of cash for them in the Budget may mean patient fees will have to rise, while the senior doctors union has dubbed it "the departure lounge budget". Ruth Hill reports.

Labour's Finance spokesperson says the government's changes to KiwiSaver will take money away from New Zealand's poorest workers. Labour Party's Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds spoke to Corin Dann.