Morning Report for Friday 28 February 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, five-years-ago today, New Zealand recorded its first Covid-19 case, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, will land in South Korea tonight for the final leg of his trip to… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:47 AM.Listen to our weekly political panel. Audio

8:44 AM.Auckland's Council has signed off on the $15 million restoration of the St James Theatre on Queen Street. Owner Steve Bielby spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

8:38 AM.In Central Otago two legs are being pitted against four as runners and horse-riders tackle a on a 40-kilometre course across the Maniototo. Otago/Southland reporter Tess Brunton has more. Audio

8:37 AM.Golden Shears is streaming if you can't get to Masterton to see it live. Audio

8:30 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:26 AM.A Taranaki man's home renovation has opened up a window into the past dating back more than a century. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more. Audio

8:21 AM.A High Court jury has been played graphic scenes of a 13-year-old stabbing another teenager after a short, but frenzied fight at Dunedin's bus hub last May. Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

8:16 AM.The government is introducing legislation on creating a four-year parliamentary term, but it's subject to a referendum and caveated with an intriguing rider. University of Otago law professor Andrew… Read more Audio

8:11 AM.Five-years-ago today, New Zealand recorded its first Covid-19 case. First Up producer Mahvash Ikram took a journey back to the 28th of February, 2020. Audio

7:56 AM.Super Rugby Aupiki, the professional women's tournament, begins this weekend. Blues player Katelyn Vaha'akolo spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:51 AM.Te Pāti Māori is calling for more resources to go toward events like Te Matatini as a way of increasing health and educational benefits for Māori, as well as economic benefits for the whole country… Read more Audio

7:47 AM.Legislation that would allow the parliamentary term to be extended to four years looks likely to garner a measure of support from across the political aisle. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick… Read more Audio

7:40 AM.The Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, will land in South Korea on Friday night for the final leg of his trip to Asia. Corin Dann is in Seoul, South Korea, and he spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:25 AM.Christopher Luxon has moved his Vietnam mission from politics to business, eager to see how the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can help boost economic growth. political reporter Giles Dexter… Read more Audio

7:16 AM.The man whose name became a byword for medical leadership during the pandemic, former Ministry of Health director-general Sir Ashley Bloomfield spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

7:08 AM.It has been five years since New Zealand recorded its first Covid-19 case. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports. Audio

6:55 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

6:46 AM.The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed Israeli negotiators to head to Cairo for talks on continuing the Gaza ceasefire. Tel Aviv correspondent Giles Gibson spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio

6:42 AM.Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced that legislation will be introduced allowing for the parliamentary term to be extended to four years. Goldsmith spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:38 AM.An update from RNZ's sports team. Audio

6:26 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:25 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

6:20 AM.The Formula 1 season kicks off in Melbourne in 3 weeks time, and drivers have been laying down rubber at pre-season testing in Bahrain. F1 journalist Chris Medland spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:17 AM.SEEK NZ's new employment report for January shows job ads rose four percent month-on-month, the strongest growth in five months, with the public sector and consumer services leading the way. SEEK… Read more Audio

6:13 AM.The Oscar-winning American actor Gene Hackman and his wife have been found dead at their home in the US state of New Mexico. Showbiz correspondent Sandro Monetti spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio