Morning Report

Another major setback for the Hurricanes ahead of next year's Super Rugby season.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The director of the Cook Islands climate change office says Pacific countries will be trying to apply as much pressure as possible in the latest round of United Nations climate talks.

The latest negotiations - known as COP25 in UN jargon - begin today in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Over two weeks, leaders and representatives of every country will thrash out progress towards the Paris climate agreement of four years ago.

It comes amid of a wave of fury around the world towards inaction, led mainly by youth who took part in school strikes across the globe.

The director of the Cook Islands climate office, Wayne King, told RNZ Pacific's Jamie Tahana that more than ever, the pressure is on for world leaders to do something.

Hospitality businesses in the top of the South Island are struggling to attract workers to fill summer vacancies.

Some say they've not had a single application from a usually abundant visitor workforce and are blaming confusion over work visa changes being introduced over the next 18 months.

Others say fewer young people are now visiting New Zealand.

Nelson cafe owner Gary Warner agrees the new rules are going to be complicated for employers, and workers.

He told RNZ reporter Tracy Neal he's placed ads on websites TradeMe and Seek as well as putting flyers at local backpacker hostels, and it's not working.

The new president of the Labour party, Claire Szabo, says her job is to get the party geared up for the 2020 general election.

She will be making sure all recommendations from the reviews into sexual assault allegations are considered and implemented properly.

The 41-year-old, who heads Habitat for Humanity, beat Labour's Maori senior vice-president, Tane Phillips, and the West Coast-Tasman electorate committee's nominee, Lorna Crane for the job.

Ms Szabo replaces Nigel Haworth, who quit in September.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

The Government has announced a $400 million package to modernise classrooms, fix roofs and gutters and improve heating and lighting.

Over 2000 eligible schools will receive a one-off cash injection between $50,000 and $400,000 - but integrated schools are excluded.

The principal of state integrated school John Paul College in Rotorua, Patrick Walsh, told our reporter Chen Liu he's hopeful integrated schools will be able to negotiate a similar maintenance deal.

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea will miss the majority of next year's Super Rugby season because of a knee injury.

Top stories this morning: Christmas gatherings are banned in Samoa as the measles epidemic continues, the Prime Minister announces a $400 million boost for schools at Labour's annual conference, the London Bridge terror attack makes law and order an election issue and mainly fine in the east but showers and strong winds for the rest of the country.