Morning Report

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Democrats, calling them "human scum," as two more key witnesses testified before the House Intelligence Committee.

A former White House Russia expert and a diplomat based in Kiev are giving evidence in the fifth and final day of the public impeachment hearings.

At the beginning of the hearing, top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes continued his support for Mr Trump.

Central to the inquiry is a controversial phone call where Donald Trump appeared to pressure Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democrats in exchange for US military aid and arranging a visit to the White House.

The day after that phone call, a diplomat in the US embassy in Kiev, David Holmes overheard a call between the ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, and the president.

RNZ's correspondent in Washington is Harry Horton.

The descendants of the first South Island iwi to encounter Captain Cook's Endeavour shed tears as they paddled out to meet the ship's replica at Meretoto/Ship Cove.

Yesterday marked 250 years since Cook's arrival in the Marlborough Sounds.

The great Polynesian navigator Tupaia was also on board with Cook, and Kiley Nepia of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust says his legacy was felt keenly.

.Tracy Neal was there.

There are reports Prince Charles intensely lobbied the Queen to have his brother, Prince Andrew, stripped of his duties.

The Duke of York is embroiled in controversy over his friendship with billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

On Thursday he announced he was stepping down from royal duties for the foreseeable future due to the disruption the scandal was causing the Royal Family.

London correspondent Natalie Powell speaks to Kim Hill from London.

Warning: This story contains details that may not be appropriate for some people.

The jury will retire to deliberate its verdict in the trial of the man accused of murdering Grace Millane today.

Ms Millane went on a Tinder date with the 27-year-old last December and wound up buried in a suitcase in the Waitakere Ranges.

The man doesn't dispute burying her but maintains she died after he choked her with consent and encouragement.

On Thursday his lawyer Ian Brookie told the jury his client reacted badly - selfishly - after the young woman died but he wasn't guilty of murder.

Crown Solicitor for Auckland Brian Dickey said explicit photographs the man took of the young woman's body could mean only one thing.

The accused's fate will be in the hands of the jury this afternoon after Justice Moore sums the case up this morning.

RNZ court reporter Anneke Smith speaks to Corin Dann.

The government's school donation scheme has not even started and schools are already looking for ways to get around the new system.

Principals say schools are setting up foundations so they can keep asking parents for money.

More than 15000 schools have signed up for the scheme, which pays schools in deciles one through seven $150 per student if they stop asking families for donations and voluntary payments for subject costs.

RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

The stakes have been raised in the New Zealand First donations scandal with a $30 million lawsuit now on the cards.

Winston Peters' lawyer Brian Henry is threatening to sue Opposition MPs if they repeat serious allegations about the secretive New Zealand First Foundation.

Here's our deputy political editor Craig McCulloch.

The New Zealand cricketers were left to rue some missed opportunities as England battled to 241-4 at the close of the first day's play in the opening test at Bay Oval in Mt. Maunganui.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A new online service is available to victims of racism or Islamophobia.

The website which has just launched allows victims or witnesses to report hate crimes or racism and submits the data to the Foundation Against Islamophobia and Racism.

The foundation hopes that by collecting data they can help victims.

The President of the New Zealand Muslims Association, Ikhlaq Kashkari, speaks to Kim Hill.

Principals are preparing to push the limits of the government's new $62 million donation scheme.

Schools in the scheme can't ask parents for donations or for costs associated with core teaching and learning next year, but they can ask them to pay for optional activities.

The principal of Pakuranga College Mike Williams, told RNZ education correspondent, John Gerritsen, that interpretation of what is optional and what is compulsory will be crucial.