Morning Report

An early morning sports news update.

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

We've heard a lot about land tax and capital gains tax heading into this year's election. But, what if you don't own a house? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at what might lie ahead for renters and spoke to John Campbell.

The people of Hamilton East are a microcosm of the nation's voters. Waikato reporter Rachel Moore hit the streets of Hamilton East to chat to the locals.

The on-going closure of Piha campground is expected to be resolved later this month, with the Waitakere local board set to vote on the camp's future. The campground's been shut over winter while the council looks into flood risks. Camp manager Fiona Anderson isn't the only one nervously awaiting the decision. Surfing New Zealand says they'll likely have to move the Surfing nationals from Piha this summer, if the campground isn't reopened. Ross McNaughton reports.

Concerns about rising violence within Hamilton's CBD have brought to light a much broader issue around mental health and homelessness. Last week a person was stabbed in the city centre, and locals fear the situation is only going to get worse. Some have blamed a nearby shelter, something Hamilton's Mayor strongly disagrees with. Joanne Turner, chief executive of the shelter Te Whare Korowai Taangata o Kirikiriroa says it's an issue she's been warning about for years. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The game Path of Exile and its sequel are now played by tens of millions of people around the world. It's also one of New Zealand's most successful games ever, as the local video game industry booms, earning more than a billion dollars in revenue in the past financial year. Meanwhile its two developers continue to run their business from West Auckland, with a staff of 265 based in Henderson. Managing director of Grinding Gear Games, Jonathan Rogers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Tawhaki National Aerospace Centre wants to launch large rockets from its base near Christchurch a dozen times a year, as it attempts to tap into the burgeoning world space launch market. Tawhaki Chief Executive John Holt spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

With the election campaign now in full swing, all parties are setting their sights on the big prize, Auckland. It's the country's largest and most prosperous city - a former minister once said when the city coughs, the whole country shivers - and with well over half the population living in it, Auckland is a must win zone. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira has been based in Auckland for the election since June and spoke to John Campbell.

An early morning sports news update.