A mammoth revamp of Canterbury Museum is underway with staff beginning to pack up their collection of 2.3 million taonga. Museum Director Anthony Wright says this is a once-in-a-lifetime redevelopment. He spoke to Corin Dann.
A community organisation is connecting young disabled people with each other though speed dating, board games and coffees. Founded by a disabled man and his mother in 2018, Enabling Love and Friendship now has hundreds of members across the country. Reporter Kirsty Frame went to one of their meet ups.
Outgoing UK prime minister Boris Johnson addressed the House of Commons for the last time overnight. Beset by self-inflicted scandals, Johnson is stepping down from the top role, forcing the ruling Conservative Party to choose a new leader who will be announced on 5 September. Conservative MPs have whittled the field for his replacement from eight candidates down to two. Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor, and Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, will go head-to-head in a vote among all Conservative Party members. The winner will inherit a parliamentary majority and will become the next Prime Minister. BBC's political correspondent Rob Watson spoke to Susie Ferguson.
One more lap and the race is run for one of New Zealand's most iconic motor racing venues, Pukekohe Park. In a shock announcement yesterday, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing said the venue would no longer be used for motor races as of April next year. There had been no warning of a potential announcement, leaving many in motorsport in shock. One of them was professional racing driver Greg Murphy, a five time winner of the Auckland SuperSprint at Pukekohe. He spoke to Corin Dann.
Mature pine forests in parts of the country that are usually felled by now are being left to grow as the international price for lumber has dropped. Exorbitant shipping costs due to fuel supply problems is a primary cause and it's left many logging contractors out of work. Laurie Forestry managing director Allan Laurie spoke to Corin Dann.
A brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Fiordland locals say they've been met with radio silence about the masterplan for the iconic area's future and still don't know who is in charge. It's been about a year since the Milford Opportunities Project outlined a vision for Piopiotahi - including banning cruise ships from entering Milford Sound, and charging overseas visitors a fee. The project received $15 million from the government - but as tourism reporter Tess Brunton found out, locals don't know where - or even if - the money is being spent.
Thousands of people across Europe and the UK are battling blazes amid a record-breaking hot, dry summer. The risk of wildfire seems remote in the midst of a cold, wet New Zealand winter, but our own summer is just around the corner. Fire and Emergency NZ community readiness and recovery advisor Michelle Hinton spoke to Susie Ferguson.
Forecast swells have forced the cancellation of the 11:00am and 2:15pm Interislander sailings from Picton, as well as the 8.30pm from Wellington. It's a similar story for Bluebridge, the 1.30pm and 8.30pm Wellington to Picton sailings are cancelled, as well as the 2.00pm and 7.15pm Picton to Wellington crossings. Snow is also affecting a number of mountain passes. NIWA meteorologist and forecaster Ben Noll spoke to Morning Report.
A state of emergency has been declared in part of the Timaru district, because of the risk of flooding. The declaration covers the Pleasant Point-Temuka ward. About 15 people in Pleasant Point were evacuated last night with help from the police. Timaru's deputy mayor Steve Wills has just been updated by officials.