Morning Report

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

David Tamihere walked out of Auckland's High Court yesterday, a free man. The Crown solicitor concluded there was no longer enough evidence to support Tamihere being retried over the killing of two Swedish backpackers - Heidi Paakkonen and Urban Höglin, in 1989. David Tamihere spoke to John Campbell.

One of Waikato's most popular tourist spots might be shut this summer because of traffic and toilet issues caused by a surge in visitors. Visitor numbers at Putaruru's Blue Spring and Te Waihou Walkway doubled to 100,000 in the last year, overwhelming local facilities. Late last month, the Government announced $675,000 of funding to improve infrastructure at the spring. Tirau Ward councillor Kerry Purdy spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The first sod has been turned on a 260 metre long bridge on a particularly vulnerable part of the infamous State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook was there.

New Zealand First has unveiled its party list for the 2026 election. Party leader Winston Peters spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

A new report says the Government's decision to make it more difficult to enter emergency housing could potentially pose dangerous implications for women and children escaping family violence. Sophie Beaumont,a researcher and development advisor for Women's Refuge spoke to John Campbell.

Israel is marking three years since Hamas launched its October 7th attack. Correspondent Blake Sifton spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Tel Aviv.

New Zealand's primary industries could benefit from artificial intelligence - but new industry-led research suggests they're some of the least prepared to take it up, meanwhile a new report recommends genetically-modified organisms, released into the environment, should be subject to existing strict guardrails. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.