Morning Report

The deadline has passed for councils to submit their amalgamation proposals to form regional unitary authorities. The cut off was midnight last night, after just three months' notice to come up with a plan. Those who failed to merge voluntarily could face a government-imposed restructuring after the 2028 local elections. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz, President of Local Government New Zealand spoke to John Campbell.

Israel has rejected US President Donald Trump's fifteen-point plan for Gaza. The plan required Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Thomas Helm, a Jerusalem correspondent for The National, a Dubai-based English language news organisation spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world with RNZ's Alice Wilkins.

The review undertaken by the New Zealand Human Rights Foundation found almost no progress has been made in realising the right to housing since 2023. It has identified that several government initiatives have contributed to declines in affordability, security of tenure, accessibility and cultural adequacy. Jacqueline Paul, a Maori housing expert, who's on the foundation's managing committee spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An all-women Christchurch a cappella chorus that has never been defeated nationally in its 40-year history, is setting its sights on becoming the best in the world. The Christchurch City Chorus has won every New Zealand competition it has entered and the barbershop group finished fifth in the world two years ago. Anna Sargent reports.

Lawrence Arabia will take to the stage at the Christchurch Town Hall and perform a concert with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. James Milne spoke to John Campbell.

Tensions with China and New Zealand's interest in a new defence treaty will be on the agenda for today's annual Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Winston Peters has travelled to Fiji along with counterparts from 17 other Pacific countries. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to John Campbell from Suva.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.