Morning Report

They might be old and mouldy, or big and salty, and they might come with a cute name like Drunken Nanny Black Tie or Grinning Gecko Cumin & Garlic.

Their creators are falling over each other to be the best in the highly competitive boutique cheese market.

They will be lining up at the cheese industry's premiere competition, in Auckland this weekend.

Eric Frykberg reports.

It could be months before New Zealanders learn the outcome of the government's urgent review of the country's hate speech laws.

In the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings, Justice Minister Andrew Little fast-tracked a review of the laws because he didn't think they were thorough or strong enough.

When making the announcement, Little said he hoped to present any proposed changes by the end of year.

As the first anniversary of the attacks approaches, we're still no closer to learning what those changes could be.

Katie Scotcher reports.

A former top civil servant has defended his investigation that forced the Auditor General Martin Matthews to resign three years ago.

Matthews left the job just before a scathing report was about to be released into his handling of fraudster Joanne Harrison when he headed the Ministry of Transport.

Matthews argues he was treated unfairly and a group of MPs that appoints independent officers of Parliament is hearing his case.

Here's political reporter Charlie Dreaver.

The problems with Wellington's drinking and waste water pipes are now regional - with Porirua City Council being told it faces a nearly $2 billion bill over the next 20 to 30 years.

A 2018 report shows 53 percent of the city's wastewater pipes are in a poor or very poor condition, as are 24 percent of its drinking water pipes.

The money would need to be spent on fixing leaks, maintenance and supporting growth.

Porirua's mayor Anita Baker speaks to Corin Dann.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

Thieves in Northland have stolen nearly 40,000 litres of water from a school's water tanks in the midst of a drought.

There's only 16 students at Tinopai School but they'll have to buy more water so it can stay open.

Tinopai School principal Sonya Kaihe speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Michael Bloomberg's billions got him onto the Democratic primary debate stage - but did nothing to spare the former mayor of New York from the barrage he faced.

Until now the former mayor of New York had stayed away from the early part of the contest, focusing instead on national advertising.

Once he stepped on stage, the gloves came off.

Elizabeth Warren led the critiques of Bloomberg's record on policing, race relations and sexism in the work-place.

Senator Warren challenged him to release women who alleged sexism and misogynistic behavior by Bloomberg, and at his company, from non-disclosure agreements.

US correspondent Kevin McAleese speaks to Susie Ferguson.

A Brisbane mother who was killed along with her three young children on Wednesday "did everything she could to protect" them from her estranged husband, a friend told the ABC.

Hannah Clarke, also known as Hannah Baxter, was pulled alive from the driver's seat of the family car as it was engulfed by flames, killing her three children.

She died hours later in hospital.

Her estranged husband Rowan Baxter, born in New Zealand, allegedly poured petrol on his family in a suspected family violence incident.

Māori leaders are decrying the horrific beating of a four year-old boy in Hastings and they say keeping quiet about what happened is not tikanga Māori.

The-four year-old remains in Starship hospital with extensive injuries and police say they still don't know what happened to him at his home. 

RNZ Māori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

Cannabis use is continuing to decline among young teenagers, even as it rises among adults.

Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal reveals that in 2018, 14 percent of Year Ten students had used the drug - down from 19 percent in 2012.

Smoking and alcohol use have continued to drop in this age group.

Jude Ball is a research fellow at the University of Otago.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.