Morning Report for Wednesday 26 January 2022

8:56 AM.Waikanae bird watchers are delighted after a rare sighting over the weekend.

On Friday last week local photographer Elizabeth Taylor spotted an unusual bird and snapped a picture before posting it on… Read more Audio

8:48 AM.Australian world tennis number one Ash Barty has beaten American Jessica Pegula in the Australian Open quarter finals last night.

Barty swept the match against her highest ranked opponent so far in… Read more Audio

8:43 AM.As we've been reporting this morning, scarves and bandanas have been ruled out as acceptable face coverings under the latest covid-19 guidelines.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says under the red… Read more Audio

8:40 AM.Many musicians, actors and others in the live events industry are facing months without any income because of the move to the red traffic light setting.

They are on their own because the wage subsidy… Read more Audio

8:35 AM.A New Zealand company has raised more than $142,000 - and counting - for Tonga.

The original goal was to raise $100,000, but thanks to nearly 900 donors that target has been exceeded.

Heilala… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.Aucklanders are putting their health on the line to swim at a popular central city swimming spot.

Swimmers are flocking to Te Auaunga Oakley Creek Waterfall, but the area has long running issues with… Read more Audio

8:22 AM.The government is being called on to step in to force a multi-national agri-chemical business to clean up its New Plymouth production site which the local mayor has described as a "ticking time bomb".

8:15 AM.School teachers across New Zealand will now have to wear medical-grade masks.

While the government has said it has secured an initial supply of appropriate masks for teachers and school workers, with… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.The founder of a New Zealand mask company says he was surprised to hear the government encouraging the use of cloth and surgical masks - when there is ample evidence that face-fitting masks which also… Read more Audio

7:53 AM.If you're going shopping, there's to be no more scarves, bandanas, or t-shirts pulled up over your face as a mask.

However, there are concerns about aggression towards retail workers who ask for… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.It is predicted hundreds of thousands of people will have to self-isolate at home as Omicron spreads through the community.

The government and health officials are urging people to prepare by… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the UK's Metropolitan Police announced it will investigate multiple events at Downing Street and across government - to see whether… Read more Audio

7:36 AM.Social service providers are worried soaring living costs will lead to hardship and even civil disobedience.

They say people could be forced to take what they need to live. Petrol, food and house… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.The National Party says private businesses are missing out on rapid antigen tests while the government takes up supply, as Omicron looms. 

MP Chris Bishop says the Government is scrambling to get… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.The Australian Navy plans to go ahead with delivering relief to Tonga after reports that 23 people on board its ship HMAS Adelaide have tested positive for Covid-19.

It says it is confident it can… Read more Audio

7:19 AM.The new mandate on surgical masks for workers and promises of greater availability of rapid antigen tests are welcome news for an epidemiologist - though he wishes they had been made earlier.

… Read more Audio

7:13 AM.Foodstuffs North Island was one of 29 businesses that took part in a rapid antigen testing trial lead by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.

Its chief executive officer Chris Quin… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.Critical workers who become close Covid-19 contacts will soon be able to skip lengthy self-isolation periods if they return a negative rapid antigen test.

The Government will today outline the next… Read more Audio

6:48 AM.Social service providers are cautioning rising prices crushing those who are already struggling.

Food prices increased by 4.5 percent in 2021, rents are jacking up and people are expecting petrol to… Read more Audio

6:43 AM.Farewell makeshift masks - scarves, bandanas and pulled up t-shirts - it's now no mask, no service.

How easy will it be to enforce the tougher rules?

Kim Moodie reports. Read more Audio

6:19 AM.About 5000 people have become residents under a fast-track Government scheme launched last month.

An estimated 165,000 people will become residents altogether, many by the end of the year. Michelle… Read more Audio

6:15 AM.At least eight people have been killed and nearly 40 injured in a crush outside an Africa Cup of Nations soccer match in Cameroon.

Videos showed screaming fans being crushed at an entry gate to the… Read more Audio

6:11 AM.Those in the live music business are warning latest Covid-19 restrictions will seriously damage the industry.

Freelance music tour manager Sarin Moddle says stakes are high at this time of the year… Read more Audio

6:07 AM.New Zealanders overseas will learn in a matter of weeks when they can return home without booking a stay in an MIQ facility.

They've been waiting for an exact date ever since the government delayed… Read more Audio