Morning Report for Wednesday 20 April 2022

8:57 AM.Many passengers on flights in the US have breathed a deep sigh of relief - without a mask - after mandates on public transport were dropped.

The dismissal comes after a federal judge in Florida… Read more Audio

8:54 AM.The orange light setting has brought a sense of relief for parents, as the eased restrictions mean one less thing to juggle.

Some Covid-19 related worries are still lurking.

Reporter Soumya… Read more Audio

8:51 AM.Official Anzac commemorations will once again be held at Gallipoli in Turkey.

Two previous commemorations were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Defence force personnel from both New Zealand… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.China says it's signed an agreement on security co-operation with Solomon Islands - a move which is likely to heighten the concerns of countries in the region.

When news of a possible agreement first… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.The cost of living is soaring and it's doubtful things will ease any time soon.

But when it comes to groceries, there is a free website that can help snag the best deal.

Grocer.nz compares prices… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.Some health officials may have argued for MIQ to be mothballed three months earlier than what happened - something we've been hearing a lot about this morning - but the University of Otago's Michael… Read more Audio

8:20 AM.An Auckland councillor says the government's new rules to intensify housing development give council little room to maneuver.

Chris Darby believes the council will now have to significantly change… Read more Audio

8:16 AM.Plans for high density housing in Auckland could see up to 5000 heritage homes lose their special status making it easier for them to be bulldozed.

The city council is required to boost housing… Read more Audio

8:13 AM.The heat is on the understaffed immigration service to process thousands of residency applications as employers cry out for labour.

Immigration New Zealand is being blamed for students and migrants… Read more Audio

7:50 AM.The Acting Prime Minister says Omicron held up an end to MIQ recommended last year.

The government's facing criticism for waiting till February to ditch the hotel isolation, even though Dr Caroline… Read more Audio

7:43 AM.The National Party leader says the Government is addicted to spending and is making inflation worse.

Another high quarterly inflation figure is expected to be released later this week -… Read more Audio

7:38 AM.Bach bookings over Easter were higher than they've been in years, as holiday makers took the opportunity of a long weekend at Orange to get out and about.

One company that hires out baches was 97… Read more Audio

7:35 AM.New Zealand has rolled out the welcome mat in Singapore - with the Prime Minister shamelessly plugging for tourists to come visit as our borders begin to re-open.

It's a key purpose of Jacinda… Read more Audio

7:25 AM.Crusie ships may be allowed back into New Zealand waters by October, but the industry says without a firm decision now, cruise lines may turn their backs on this country.

Under Maritime Covid-19… Read more Audio

7:22 AM.A 160 metre stretch of road in Auckland generated $12,000 of fines every day last year.

It added up to $4.3 million - but Auckland Transport denies that the Newmarket bus lane is a revenue gatherer.

7:16 AM.Up to 40,000 people could have skipped MIQ from November last year if the Government had followed top health advice.

A Ministry of Health document shows Dr Caroline McElnay and Dr Ashley Bloomfield… Read more Audio

7:10 AM.Russia's new all-out assault on east Ukraine has escalated - the Kremlin unleashing thousands more troops in what is being called the Battle of the Donbas, a campaign to seize two provinces.

… Read more Audio

6:46 AM.Māori leader Tā Mark Solomon is the new Chair of the Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board.

In the role, Tā Mark will help monitor the introduction of changes he helped put forward.

He says… Read more Audio

6:39 AM.A man who failed six times to get a spot in MIQ wants compensation for those who suffered because of the system.

A Ministry of Health document shows that in November last year top officials advised… Read more Audio

6:11 AM.US President Joe Biden held a 90-minute video call with several other world leaders to consider their response to Russia's escalation.

Washington DC correspondent Simon Marks spoke to Corin Dann. Read more Audio