Morning Report for Wednesday 5 March 2025

10:00 AM.On today's episode, Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of congress where he'll outline his agenda on immigration, the economy, and his approach to Ukraine, Ukraine President Vlodymyr… Read more Audio

8:56 AM.The New Zealand Book Awards Trust says the competition for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards will be fierce - with a strong line-up of finalists vying for the top prizes. Chairperson Nicola… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Independent cinemas across the country hit hard by Covid are seeing audience numbers picking up - but the recovery is slow. Delphine Herbert reports. Audio

8:47 AM.In another government IT pratfall, ACC has had to pull in contractors from around the world to mount a costly salvage job. Phil Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:39 AM.Gold Coast acting mayor says Tropical Cyclone Alfred could be the most significant for the region since 1954, with up to a metre of rainfall expected in some areas. Gold Coast acting mayor Donna Gates… Read more Audio

8:37 AM.A new record was set in English football over the weekend. Audio

8:27 AM.India has won the first semi-final at the Champions Trophy overnight after defeating Australia by 4 wickets. BBC cricket commentator Henry Moeran spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

8:21 AM.The fallout from damning Wellington Water reports is ramping up. Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy, Porirua deputy mayor Kylie Wihapi, and Wellington City councillor Ben McNulty spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:11 AM.A trade war between The US and Canada, Mexico and China has sent world markets tumbling. Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:57 AM.A Wellington woman has come forward as part of a group that added the colours of the Transgender Pride flag to a pedestrian crossing in the suburb of Berhampore last weekend. Bill Hickman has more. Audio

7:54 AM.With Greyhound racing set to be banned by August next year, the industry is starting to wind down and soon thousands of dogs will need homes. But for one new greyhound owner, the deal went sour after… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.An infrastructure industry body says Auckland must introduce congestion charging or traffic will limit the city's growth. Policy director for Infrastructure NZ Michelle McCormick spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:45 AM.Schools say teens who have reached their final year of school without passing one or all of the online NCEA reading, writing and maths tests are under the most pressure and they are taking extra… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.A legal challenge to the gang patch ban has compared the controversial legislation to Nazi Germany and the Taliban. Lawyer Chris Nicholls spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:26 AM.Ukraine is grappling with Tuesday's announcement from Donald Trump that the United States has paused all military aid to Ukraine. BBC's Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:20 AM.Defence experts are warning the navy has a critical need for equipment and staffing, with some saying it needs to align closer to the Royal Australian Navy. Ellen O'Dwyer reports. Audio

7:19 AM.Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of congress where he'll outline his agenda on immigration, the economy, and his approach to Ukraine. Correspondent Simon Marks spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:15 AM.Stock markets have fallen across the US, Europe and the UK as concerns grow that President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will "disrupt global trade". Forsyth Barr senior… Read more Audio

6:54 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

6:49 AM.Wellington Water released a scathing report on Monday pointing, among other things, to poor value for money from contractors. Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard spoke to Corin… Read more Audio

6:40 AM.You know things are bad in Australia when the Footy gets cancelled. Audio

6:30 AM.People who tasted the Wallaby quesadillas at the recent Northland Field Days are still talking about the rich meaty snack one week on from the event. Audio

6:28 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

6:22 AM.A nutritionist says the Prime Minister's suggested lunch of a Marmite sandwich and an apple lacks protein, is high in salt, and won't keep a child full through the school day. Nutritionist and… Read more Audio

6:12 AM.Stock markets have fallen across the US, Europe and the UK as concerns grow that President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will "disrupt global trade". US correspondent Toni… Read more Audio