Morning Report

A surge in global demand for robotics and AI from the apple industry is driving big changes for a Hawke's Bay robot manufacturer.And while there are concerns the increase of AI and robots will lead to fewer jobs - the Employers and Manufacturers Association says so far it hasn't resulted in a reduction of total roles. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook went to visit Hawk Technologies in Hastings to see robots being made from scratch.

The Government is hoping that investing 800 thousand dollars in AI search tools for tourists will help boost visitor numbers to New Zealand. The money, from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, will be used to upgrade Tourism New Zealand's systems, in an effort to make it easier for local tourism businesses and experiences to be found through AI search. Chief Executive of Tourism. NZ, René de Monchy spoke to John Campbell

There are just a hundred days to go until the November 7 election in what is shaping up to be one of the tightest campaigns in recent memory. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning sports news update.

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

The government has decided not to ban the public sale of fireworks, going against the recommendation from Parliament's Petitions Committee. The committee recommended the ban after considering three petitions with close to a hundred-thousand signatures between them. The government response said the ban would directly address risks, but it would also remove access to what it called a "long-standing and widely used lawful activity ... retaining the status quo remains a proportionate response". Dr Arnja Dale, the SPCA's Chief Scientific Officer, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Dunedin university students continue to live in flats that are colder inside than out, despite meeting Healthy Home Standards. Tess Brunton reports.

The government says it's been preparing for the annual inundation since March, investing an additional $25 million to up staffing levels and add extra beds into emergency departments. But in Christchurch Hospital, patients are being seen and treated in hallways. Dr Dominic Fleischer works there and spoke to John Campbell.

A new report by the Education Review Office says generative AI is becoming part of every day school life but three quarters of schools want more guidance from the Education Ministry. ERO Chief Review Officer David Ferguson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.