Morning Report

Metservice meteorologist John Law spoke to John Campbell about the cold conditions moving up New Zealand.

They call it the ships' graveyard, a stretch of coast near the Kaipara Harbour mouth where the remains of as many as 150 vessels lie buried in the sand. In recent weeks it's been back in the news, after a freshly exposed shipwreck was pulled apart and carted off for garden ornaments. Peter de Graaf reports from Ripiro Beach.

Taupo's mayor is pushing back against joining a Western Waikato council merger, which he's describing as a hostile takeover. Taupo District Council has decided not to submit any preferred amalgamation proposal and says the Western Waikato merger would result in ballooning debt for the region. Councils have until Sunday to present their merger proposals to the government. Mayor John Funnell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An advocate for older people says the cold temperatures and cost of power has reached a crisis point, with many people forced to choose between food and heating. Age Concern Canterbury's CEO Greta Bond spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

The latest jobless figures are due out this morning, and economists are predicting it'll be up to around a ten year high. Thomas Maharaj, founder and director of I'm In, a Wellington employment support service, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An emergency European Union meeting has been held, after more than 70,000 Moroccan migrants entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta. It prompted Italy to suspend border-free travel with Spain, and 22 EU member-states wrote a joint letter calling for action. Correspondent Ross Cullen spoke to John Campbell.

The latest rural news with Monique Steele.

An early morning sports news update.

The Stratford District Council has voted unanimously to pursue amalgamation with the South Taranaki District Council as part of local government reforms, at the expense of a wider union with the New Plymouth District Council. RNZ Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was at the Stratford meeting.