Morning Report

The heads of some of the world's leading tech companies have signed on to a morally binding series of commitments to undertake AI testing in a safe and responsible way. Connor Leahy is the US executive director of ControlAI, a non-profit organisation focused on controlling potential risks posed by superintelligent AI. Leahy spoke to John Campbell.

Politicians went head to head on some big issues affecting rural New Zealand, last night. Rural News on Morning Report with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins hit the streets of New Plymouth yesterday, addressing a public meeting and hearing from locals about the issues they want to see dealt with. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was there.

Catch up with the latest headlines from around the world James Gooderson.

A Dutch environmental group is lodging the first complaint of its kind through the European Commission, which could suspend trade. University of Canterbury political scientist Professor Bronwyn Hayward spoke to John Campbell.

Nicola Willis discusses Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update; Political Panel: Paul Goldsmith and Arena Williams; Chloe Swarbrick discusses rise in polls; Jo Moir and Corin Dann discuss pre-election fiscal update.

With every household in the country throwing away an average of 32 kg of food a year, the government's putting a little extra into initiatives trying to curb the waste. Three organisations will share $1.7 million as part of the National Food Waste Reduction Programme. The "Love Food Hate Waste" campaign is one of the three recipients. Project Manager Sophie Wolland spoke to John Campbell.

From today the free bowel cancer screening age starts lowering from 58 years old to 56. The latest change is a phased roll out, happening region by region, and means another 200,000 New Zealanders are eligible for a free home test. Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in Aotearoa. More than 1,200 people die from it annually, and yet when it's caught early, it's one of the most treatable cancers there is. Bowel Cancer New Zealand chief executive Peter Huskinson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Punters, pundits and politicians are eyeing one of Auckland's most competitive electorates as a bellwether for the rest of New Zealand. In 2023, Maungakiekie's party vote was the closest to New Zealand's overall result - making it a seat to watch. Felix Walton has more.