The latest tally of positive Covid-19 cases totals 1220 with 74 deaths in Fiji is the highest daily total since this latest outbreak of the Delta variant began in April. Karyn speaks with Vani Catanasiga from the Fiji Council of Social Services.

A red warning has been issued for the West Coast from Central Westland to Buller with warnings of heavy rain, slips and flooding. The Buller District is under a state of emergency as water levels in the Buller River continue to rise, and several roads are closed on the West Coast as the region continues to be battered by bad weather. Karyn speaks with Buller's mayor Jamie Cleine.

Four in five New Zealanders plan to get vaccinated, but many people want more information about vaccine safety. Research carried out from March to May this year shows New Zealanders' intention to get a Covid-19 vaccine is at its highest since last year, at 81% of the adult population. Karyn speaks about the findings with Jagadish Thaker from the Massey University.

The government has put a $2.5 billion sweetener on the table to get local councils onboard with massive three waters reforms. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta spoke about it with councillors and mayors at the Local Government conference in Blenheim this afternoon. Karyn speaks with Timaru mayor, Nigel Bowen, about the announcement and the proposed three water reform.

Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. Colin Peacock talks to Karyn Hay about the Forever War in Afghanistan; football not coming home; UFC = unedifying footage of calamity; a political pronunciation fail - and: is This Is Us a 'Hollywood' horror?

Last night Lately received a number of questions from listeners asking about the Covid-19 vaccine as they are experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. To answer their questions tonight Karyn speaks with Dr Ros Vallings who is a leading authority on chronic fatigue syndrome in New Zealand.

The Reserve Bank has held the official cash rate at a record low 0.25 percent but it's halted its bond buying programme saying the economy is robust on the back of a strong construction sector, investment, and household spending despite inflation spikes. Brad Olsen from Infometrics breaks it down with Karyn Hay.

The toutouwai or North Island robin has been released into the Turitea Reserve near Palmerston North in the hope their population will re-establish there again after generations away. Dr Zoe Stone speaks with Karyn about the tracking the robins and the More Birds in the Bush initiative.

The Elemental Festival begins tomorrow night and Richard Clarke from Auckland Unlimited takes Karyn through the programme of art, food, music, and activities from bars and restaurants to theatres and public spaces across the Auckland region.

Reports of the spread of Covid-19 are as varied as the countries they are coming from. Tonight Karyn speaks with epidemiologist Michael Baker about the fast spreading variants raising Covid 19's risk and the roll out of vaccines around the world and in New Zealand.