A student union wants to see the winter energy payment expanded to include tertiary students, saying some are choosing between heating and eating. Auckland University of Technology Students Association president James Portegys spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Interislander has almost doubled its fuel surcharge on commercial vehicles crossing the Cook Strait due to soaring energy prices from the Middle East conflict. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

A rural doctor is calling for a bipartisan health sector workforce strategy as regional practices continue to struggle with underfunding and understaffing. Chair of Hauora Taiwhenua, the Rural Health Network, Dr Fiona Bolden spoke to John Campbell.

This morning's top stories and other headlines

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

An early morning update from RNZ's business team.

Six more schools are to get upgrades, worth a total of $56 million, as part of the Government's investment in school infrastructure. Kerikeri High School principal Mike Clent spoke to John Campbell.

The US military says two US-flagged vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has rejected the statement, calling it 'baseless'. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The latest news in Samoan language (Gagana Samoa).

The season for bull sales is nearly upon us, lambs flowing through the saleyards hit four year highs and persimmon trees are flush with fruit this year. The latest rural news with Gianina Schwanecke.