Morning Report

An upcoming election in Germany is being closely watched, with the far-right Alternative for Germany party hoping to win power for the first time. Correspondent Ross Cullen spoke to John Campbell.

The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.

An early morning sports news update.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists held their annual conference at Wellington's Te Papa museum yesterday. Anya Fielding was there.

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

With solar energy having moved from the margins of mainstream political debate into a fully fledged election issue, The Sustainable Energy Association is hoping future governments can develop long term solar plans that survive electoral cycles and changes of governments. Its COO, Gareth Williams spoke to John Campbell.

Psychologist joins calls for compulsory helmets on e-scooters; ICU doctor calls for more RSV vaccination funding; Bernard Hickey on why OCR rise will hit those already suffering; Queenstown farmer funds wheelchair lift for Wellington family; Developer revives controversial Arrowtown housing project

A wildly successful fundraising campaign has raised the standard of cancer care for the thousands of New Zealanders served by Palmerston North Hospital by supplying the funds for a state-of-the-art surgical robot. The campaign, run by the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, raised over $2.5 million in just six months, and it is now hoped the robot will be installed in the hospital by Christmas. The foundation's project lead Shivarn Stewart spoke to John Campbell.

A new paper being offered by Otago University summer school is aiming to better prepare students for the workplace, but encouraging the use of AI. Tech business consultant Rachel McBride is behind the paper's design and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Last year there were just 108,000 apprentices and trainees, the fewest in the past 15 years and 50,000 fewer than a high set in 2022. Numbers fell again at the start of this year and industry insiders say it is not good for future skill needs. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.