Morning Report

The Otago University Consumer Lifestyles Study has just released its eighth study in a series dating back to 1979, looking at the impact of rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and the rapid change in technology on our thinking and behaviour as consumers. Lead researcher Associate Professor Leah Watkins spoke to John Campbell.

Russian strikes have left 600,000 people without power in Ukraine, as attacks on energy infrastructure continue. Russia says it hit four power plants near Kyiv, and two in the city of Kharkiv. That's despite an "energy ceasefire" announced by US president Donald Trump earlier this week. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky is in London meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. BBC Monitoring's chief analyst Vitaly Shevchenko spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A recent report suggests a large Hawke's Bay water storage project should help pump money into the region - if it goes ahead, meanwhile arable growers seem more confident following a good start to spring, but they're still cautious about what crops they plant. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

One stage, six very different ideas about how to steer the nation's finances. Last night's ASB Great Debate in Queenstown put political leaders on the spot over fiscal fixes, food prices and the future of the economy. As battle lines were drawn between the leaders and finance spokespeople of Labour, the Greens, ACT, National, Opportunity and New Zealand First. RNZ Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd was there.

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

New Zealand's brain drain across the Tasman appears to be easing, with new figures showing fewer Kiwis leaving our shores. Infometrics chief demographer Nick Brundson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode Winston Peters on not signing UN declaration on pandemic preparedness; Flaxmere College principal Cherie Heeney on their low-cost uniform; Political panel - Greens' Ricardo Menendez-March and Act's James Christmas.

From today Christchurch residents will have a new option when recycling electronic waste. Patrick Moynahan, chief executive of facility owner Echo, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

New statistics reveal that ACC receives around 76,000 gardening-related injury claims each year. Gardening expert Lynda Hallinan spoke to John Campbell about taking care in the wilds of the garden.