Summer Report for Thursday 19 January 2017

8:57 AM.For most people Whanganui is not a town synonymous with opera. Audio

8:53 AM.The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is defying international condemnation of his tactics on drug crime, threatening to invoke marshall law. Audio

8:50 AM.The efforts of aid agencies trying to help those affected by natural disasters are often hampered by unhelpful donations from the well-meaning public. Audio

8:47 AM.There's political chaos in the small west African country, Gambia where the defeated President is refusing to step down. Audio

8:44 AM.For the third year in a row, global temperatures have hit new highs, making 2016 the hottest year on record. Audio

8:37 AM.A foreign policy analyst is casting doubt on the real worth of New Zealand's initiative for peace in the Middle East. Audio

8:33 AM.The families of the men who died in the Pike River mining disaster have welcomed a member's bill by Andrew Little. Audio

8:28 AM.Business news for 19 January 2017. Audio

8:26 AM.As strong winds and rain causes havoc in Wellington, the west coast of the South Island has survived the weather bomb relatively unscathed. Audio

8:21 AM.District health boards are to meet today as they decide their next step in a bitter row with junior doctors over rosters. Audio

8:18 AM.A District Court judge who was accused of striking a lawyer with a crutch at a charity event, and who has been on sick leave since, will return to work at the end of this month. Audio

8:16 AM.The Transport Agency's Regional Performance Manager Mark Owen joins us now. Audio

8:14 AM.Joining me now is Wayne Hastie the general manager of Public Transport in Wellington. Audio

8:14 AM.The Whitianga community is rallying to help those affected by a large scrub fire which has burned through homes and property. [regipons]Bay of Plenty, Waikato Audio

8:10 AM.Wild weather has lashed Wellington overnight, closing roads, cutting power and disrupting public transport. Audio