Morning Report

With New Zealand's population about to hit 5 million, RNZ's In Depth team took time to reflect on who we are as a nation.

One of the questions we wanted an answer to was 'who is the average Kiwi'?

It was suggested the answer is an old white man, but that's not it. Data journalist Kate Newton analysed last year's census data, finding it's possible to piece together who that 'normal' New Zealander might be.

She is Pakeha, about 37, born in New Zealand and living in Auckland, with a partner or spouse in a house they own.

She drives a car most days to her full-time job.

Her highest qualification is high school, she doesn't smoke, and she doesn't believe in any kind of god.

She most likely doesn't have children, but if she does, she's got two.

A Christmas tradition for Morning Report is to bring you season's greetings from some of the politicians we talk to during the year.

Here is the co-leader of the Green Party and the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw.

A Christmas tradition for Morning Report is to bring you season's greetings from some of the politicians we talk to during the year.

Here's the Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

At least half of people who have attempted suicide or self harm in police custody this year are Māori.

Experts who work in the justice sector and within Māoridom are not surprised by the numbers, and suspect it could be even higher.

Ben Strang reports.

An Auckland company is breathing new life into plastic waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill - turning it into a base for sports fields.

Ecocept mixes plastics and old car tyres, replacing the traditional rock and rubber sports pads beneath synthetic turf.

A south Auckland Sikh Temple is among the first to try the new product.

Chen Liu reports.

More people are signing up to make Christmas kinder on the environment.

The waste-free and sustainability movement is growing at a rapid rate.

Eleisha Foon looks at how this group is making ethical choices this Christmas.

A Christmas tradition for Morning Report is to bring you season's greetings from some of the politicians we talk to during the year.

Here is best wishes from the leader of the the National Party, Simon Bridges.

A Christmas tradition for Morning Report is to bring you season's greetings from some of the politicians we talk to during the year.

Here's the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Scorching heat baking Australia eased yesterday granting a brief respite from the bushfires raging across New South Wales and South Australia.

It comes after a horror few days for the country where 180 homes were destroyed and three people - including two firefighters - were killed.

They died while on duty in the area of the Green Wattle Fire southwest of Sydney.

Cooler conditions are giving fire crews some reprieve but they're warning against complacency, especially with conditions predicted to worsen after Christmas.

RNZ's correspondent in Sydney is Scott Levi.

More detail has been released about the government $5 million business support package for Whakatāne and Westland.

The package is aimed at helping businesses affected by the Whakaari/White Island eruption and the recent flooding in Westland.

Paul Quinn is the chair of Ngāti Awa Holdings, which owns White Island Tours.