Morning Report for Friday 23 May 2025

9:45 AM.In today's episode, the Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, has described the Budget as responsible, and what governments do to avoid austerity, Labour's Finance spokesperson says the government's… Read more Audio

8:53 AM.It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio

8:49 AM.Auckland FC are one win away from an historic A-League grand final. Felicity Reid has this report. Audio

8:42 AM.It's a big night on Friday in Gore - the town is hosting the annual Country Music Honours. Three women singer songwriters are in the running for the 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song. Head of the… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

8:30 AM.Market Update for 23 May 2025 Audio

8:25 AM.An interesting subplot to Thursday's Budget, and the Parliamentary debate after it, was the absence of the Te Pāti Māori leaders from the house. Māori News Journalist Pokere Paewai reports. Audio

8:20 AM.KiwiSaver changes announced in the Budget have captured a lot of attention. But will they leave us better off, worse off, or much the same? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

8:10 AM.Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Morning Report that while the Budget is responsible, it has something for every New Zealander. RNZ's political editor Jo Moir and RNZ's business editor Gyles… Read more Audio

8:07 AM.Christchurch will host the South Island's first ever Australian Supercars event from next year. Audio

7:56 AM.BusinessNZ is welcoming the new budget, saying it's credible and growth-oriented. BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:52 AM.The Retirement Commissioner says the changes in the new budget are great news for most KiwiSaver members. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

7:48 AM.As part of the 2025 budget, the government will halve its yearly contributions, while minimum contributions for employers will lift to four percent in 2028. Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub… Read more Audio

7:42 AM.The government's $747 million boost for learning support seems to be getting the thumbs up from school principals. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports. Audio

7:39 AM.Disappointed GPs say the lack of cash for them in the Budget may mean patient fees will have to rise, while the senior doctors union has dubbed it "the departure lounge budget". Ruth Hill reports. Audio

7:25 AM.Labour's Finance spokesperson says the government's changes to KiwiSaver will take money away from New Zealand's poorest workers. Labour Party's Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds spoke to Corin… Read more Audio

7:18 AM.The Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, has described the Budget as responsible, and what governments do to avoid austerity. Willis spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

7:14 AM.Reporters ask taxpayers what they made of the Budget announcements. Audio

7:10 AM.The government delivered its second Budget on Thursday, and New Zealanders will start to feel the effects of some of the changes almost immediately. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more. Audio

7:07 AM.Christchurch will host the South Island's first ever Australian Supercars event from next year. Audio

6:43 AM.Two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead after leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. The suspect is in custody. Washington DC correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

6:41 AM.Businesses have, by and large, welcomed the government's "investment boost" package which allows them to deduct 20 percent of the cost of new assets - such as machinery or tools - from taxable income… Read more Audio

6:37 AM.An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Audio

6:26 AM.News from the rural farming sector. Audio

6:21 AM.Forest and Bird general manager for advocacy Richard Capie says the budget is at least $1.5 billion short in conservation funding. Capie spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:20 AM.Latest news from Radio New Zealand's business team. Audio

6:15 AM.The Taxpayers' Union has slammed Budget 2025 as a waste of time and hype and says the Finance Minister has failed in her promise to deliver a growth budget. Taxpayers Union executive director Jordan… Read more Audio

6:09 AM.The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has called Budget 2025 a reverse Robin Hood budget that steals from working people. CTU economist Craig Renney spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

6:05 AM.The Indian Panthers have voluntarily withdrawn from the National Basketball League following an investigation into the organisation. Audio