Morning Report for Wednesday 2 February 2022

8:50 AM.A new fresh water testing methodology in Taranaki has revealed what ecologists say they have long known - the region's rivers and streams become contaminated with bacteria after rain. The regional… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.Several All Whites players have tested positive for Covid-19.

The results have forced the cancellation of an international friendly match with Uzbekistan in Dubai this morning.

The positive cases… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.The red traffic light setting is affecting sports fans.

Restrictions limit crowds to 100, meaning even if venues create separate bubbles for several groups, spectator numbers are well down.

Reporter… Read more Audio

8:37 AM.Funding support for the arts and culture sector is being increased.

A $100 million boost has been announced to cushion the blow of red traffic light restrictions.

They include an extra $70 million… Read more Audio

8:30 AM.A campaigner for gun control says a new firearms law will help police identify red flags in the travel patterns of potential gun-owners.

The reforms made under the Arms Amendment Regulations 2021… Read more Audio

8:23 AM.Survivors of abuse by the Catholic Church say the number of complaints released by the church fails to capture the real number of sufferers, which could be six-times more.

The new figures from the… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.The Government is not budging on its promise to leave the retirement age unchanged, despite renewed warnings superannuation's rising cost could become unsustainable.

There have long been calls to… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.Infections in the community are moving slower than they have in overseas Omicron outbreaks, but a Covid-19 modeller warns we need a clearer picture.

The University of Canterbury's professor Michael… Read more Audio

8:10 AM.MetService has issued a red warning for heavy rains expected to create dangerous conditions on the West Coast - it's the forecaster's most extreme category of warning.

The rain started overnight, and… Read more Audio

7:57 AM.The World Health Organisation says the amount of medical waste generated by the Covid-19 pandemic is a threat to human health and the environment.

A new report is warning discarded syringes, used… Read more Audio

7:51 AM.In Canada, what started as a convoy of truckers protesting the vaccine mandate has turned into into a blockade in the capital Ottawa.

The protestors aren't just opposing Covid-19 policies in country… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.Some parents are threatening to take their children out of school because of the mask-mandate for older primary school children.

Principals say they are surprised how many families want to… Read more Audio

7:44 AM.A company supplying rapid antigen tests says the government has finally taken its stranglehold off tests that should have already been available.

The government has announced that it will have access… Read more Audio

7:36 AM.The National Party says all school children, teachers and staff would get two rapid antigen tests a week if it was in power.

That was one of several announcements made by party leader Christopher… Read more Audio

7:25 AM.The Kingdom of Tonga will go into a nationwide lockdown on Wednesday after two cases of Covid-19 were detected through routine testing at the wharf in Nuku'alofa.

RNZ Pacific News Editor Susana… Read more Audio

7:17 AM.The government is coming under pressure this week as National ramps up its attack on the handling of the pandemic and the media turns its full attention to pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis and her… Read more Audio

7:14 AM.Westland District Council has begun preparing for flooding, and is issuing sandbags to residents and businesses in the lowest lying streets.

MetService forecasts up to 750 milimetres of rain could… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.Buller District residents are being warned to pack an emergency getaway bag, make sure their cars are filled with petrol, and be prepared for evacuations at any time due to forecast heavy rain.

Last… Read more Audio

6:48 AM.The arts and culture sector is in for a $100 million boost to cushion the blow of red traffic light restrictions.

A $70 million boost has been earmarked for events that were planned before the move… Read more Audio

6:43 AM.West Coast farmers are battening down the hatches in response to a red warning for heavy rain - shifting stock to higher ground and preparing for heavy rains and the possibility of flooding and slips.

6:07 AM.Transport agency Waka Kotahi says heavy rain forecast for the West Coast is expected to make roads dangerous and some could become impassible due to slips and flooding. It's warning motorists not to… Read more Audio