Morning Report for Thursday 19 March 2020

6:06 AM.Super Rugby sides the Crusaders and Chiefs have entered voluntary self-isolation, choosing to follow .New Zealand Government guidelines around the coronavirus Read more Audio

6:16 AM.The deputy prime minister says the 80,000 New Zealanders overseas need to hurry up if they want to get home before flights start grinding to a halt in response to Covid-19.

On woman RNZ spoke to is… Read more Audio

6:18 AM.An immigration adviser is challenging the Government's travel restrictions, under which visitors from China are still completely banned.

Harris Gu says there is no basis for allowing European… Read more Audio

6:19 AM.The Telecommunications Users Association says people need to make sure their home IT is up to date and fit for purpose as the growing threat from Covid-19 takes grip.

It's expected more and more… Read more Audio

6:20 AM.A brief update from the business sector. Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Read more Audio

6:40 AM.Covid-19 is an enemy against humanity.

That's the latest word from the World Health Organisation's director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this morning.

He's calling on ALL countries to… Read more Audio

6:45 AM.US Stock markets are falling again despite the huge stimulus package announced yesterday by President Trump

\European shares have closed 4 to 5 percent lower, the Dow is faring worse, close to 9… Read more Audio

6:51 AM.The Dental Association says dentists will have to shut down within weeks due to a lack of masks unless the Government takes action immediately.

The chief executive of the New Zealand Dental… Read more Audio

6:53 AM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Read more Audio

7:06 AM.New Zealand Super Rugby teams have been caught up in the coronavirus restrictions with the Crusaders and Chiefs entering voluntary self-isolation. Read more Audio

7:16 AM.New Zealanders will learn today how much tougher their lives will be as the government looks at whether to ban gatherings of more than 100 people.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister banned crowds… Read more Audio

7:16 AM.In the US, the death toll from Covid-19 has now passed 100, as the coronavirus reaches all 50 states.

The US and Canada have jointly agreed to close their land border to non-essential traffic, but… Read more Audio

7:21 AM.Thousands of people are in self isolation after arriving home from overseas.

About 15,000 people came into the country in the first two days after government imposed a two week quarantine on all… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.New Zealanders will learn today how much tougher their lives will be as the government looks at whether to ban gatherings of more than 100 people.

Earlier this week the Prime Minister banned crowds… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.After 40 years, abortion will now be removed from the Crimes Act.

The Abortion Legislation Bill passed 68 votes to 51 in its third reading in Parliament last night.

MPs voted with their conscience… Read more Audio

7:39 AM.The government has announced this morning that it will invest $54 billion over the next ten years into land transport.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford says the funding will go to roads, rail, walking… Read more Audio

7:46 AM.The coronavirus outbreak is expected to start spreading more widely in the community here from early next month with the disease peaking in August.

That's what the health officials say the modelling… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.As the economic effects of the Covid-19 virus spreads its tentacles further and further into the community the effects on businesses is wide and varied.

Companies reliant on tourism, directly or… Read more Audio

7:57 AM.Māori businesses hit by the coronavirus say the government's $12.1 billion relief package will save whānau livelihoods. 

Those in the primary sector and tourism are under heavy pressure, with some… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.The second round of the ANZ Premiership is in limbo as Netball New Zealand consider their options to proceed with the national competition. Read more Audio

8:10 AM.As the Covid-19 crises worsens with 20 confirmed cases, the Government is expected to announce more restrictions on mass gatherings.

Earlier this week, when the Prime Minister banned crowds of more… Read more Audio

8:21 AM.A Gisborne community worker who was brutally attacked by a meth user has released an emotional video from his hospital bed, saying he's at a loss for ways to tackle meth addiction in the region.

A… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.A New Zealander who flew in from South East Asia this week says precautions at the border are lax and haphazard.

Maree Glading says there was a lack of information about self-isolation available to… Read more Audio

8:25 AM.All new jury trials have been suspended for the next two months as a precaution to Covid-19.

The Ministry of Justice was unable to tell RNZ at this stage the number of trials this will affect.

The… Read more Audio

8:27 AM.After 40 years, abortions will be be removed from the Crimes Act.

The Abortion Legislation Bill passed 68 votes to 51 in its third reading in Parliament last night - a much narrower margin than at… Read more Audio

8:29 AM.A brief update on the movements in the financial sector. Read more Audio

8:34 AM.Nearly 8 million people in the San Francisco area have been ordered to "shelter in place" and stay at home.

Shirley Wong is a New Zealander who has lived in San Francisco for the last six years.

… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.Local government leaders want councillors to be excused from turning up in person to meetings in recognition of the likely disruption of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Councils are legally required to meet a… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.Thousands of New Zealanders overseas are scrambling to get home as borders and transport links around the world shut down.

But some are finding it an impossible task.

Jono MacLeod is stuck in… Read more Audio

8:55 AM.The largest indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere is underway, despite almost all of its international guests being unable to make it because of Covid-19. 

The seventh annual Māoriland… Read more Audio

8:57 AM.The Great Moscow Circus currently performing in Nelson says it may have to house stranded overseas performers in the circus tent.

The Cambridge-based touring company of the New Zealand franchise is… Read more Audio