Morning Report

In Dunedin, the murder trial of a former doctor is in its third week.

Venod Skantha denies killing 16-year-old Amber-Rose Rush in February last year.

The first fortnight of the Crown case dealt with what the prosecution claims the 32-year-old did and how he did it.

But this week the Crown has turned its attention to the question of why.

The Black Caps seamer Neil Wagner says a good performance against England can set the New Zealand Test squad up for their series to follow in Australia.

A woman who was sexually abused as a child is outraged a Catholic leader offered excuses for the theologian who carried out the abuse.

The laws governing political fundraising are coming under fresh scrutiny.

"I followed the directions of the President"- Gordon Sondland testifies at the impeachment hearing.

And Summer is on its way, but research finds many sunscreens still do not offer the protection their label suggests.

Forensic scientists have been busy digging up the graves of pigs, sheep, and a plastic skeleton as part of a grave site recovery training course.

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research - or ESR - assists the police with the scientific aspects of their investigations, and this course helps keep staff prepared for the work.

RNZ reporter Michael Cropp went to ESR's Porirua office to find out more.

Hawke's Bay environmental groups and iwi have launched a scathing attack on a major plan being proposed to manage the region's water -despite them being part of the six year process to develop it.

The TANK plan will restrict groundwater consent, impose nutrient limits for farmers and pave the way for new water storage and river augmentation schemes.

But its critics say the plan does little to protect water quality and favours irrigators and economic growth over the environment.

RNZ Hawke's Bay reporter, Anusha Bradley reports.

A government plan to save thousands of seabirds from being killed by the fishing industry each year is being called weak and ineffective.

The action plan details what fishers should do to avoid hooking endangered seabirds but Forest and Bird says there are no penalities for not following the rules.

Harry Lock reports.

A medical student's family say the University of Otago interns caught abusing their overseas work placements are being used as scapegoats.

More than 50 final year medical students will be prevented from attending the graduation ceremony with their peers after they were found to have falsified papers to make out they were working in overseas holidays when they were actually enjoying holidays.

However, the mother of a medical student who will be allowed to graduate says the practice is well known, yet only a few are paying the price.

Tess Brunton reports.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

Mana whenua of Ihumātao are disappointed and seriously displeased to hear the Crown might help Auckland Council buy the contested land.

Sources have told RNZ the Crown is considering lending $40 million to the council so it can buy the land from Fletcher Residential.

But mana whenua say that's not what they asked for, and they're gutted if they've been shut out from the talks.

RNZ Maori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

The Electoral Commisison has received a complaint about how New Zealand First uses a foundation to handle donations.

NZ First leader Winston Peters says he's confident the party has always acted within the law.

Andrew Geddis is a Professor of Public Law at the University of Otago, specialising in electoral law.