Morning Report

The World Health Organisation says the lack of global leadership and unity is a bigger threat that the Covid-19 outbreak itself.

The head of the organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the politicisation of the pandemic has made it worse.

It comes as the world records the highest daily total of infections and the global number of confirmed cases nears nine million.

Philippa Tolley speaks to the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.

As the number of New Zealanders returning home rises and 'no vacancy' signs go up at Auckland's quarantine hotels, the government has not ruled out looking further afield to set up managed isolation facilities.

Bus loads of international arrivals were taken to Rotorua for the first time at the weekend, where two hotels have been commandeered for quarantine.

With the school holidays fast approaching, there is concern locals may be put off travelling.

Amy Williams reports.

Australia and New Zealand are now in the box seat to host the 2023 FIFA women's World Cup after their closest rival withdrew their bid.

With Australian university fees set to sky rocket for some courses, students and universities here can also expect big changes.

Canberra is doubling the cost of humanities degrees to $14,500 a year for new students, and slashing the cost of courses it considers more useful such as nursing and teaching.

That should make some New Zealand degrees a lot more attractive to both Australian and New Zealand students.

RNZ education correspondent, John Gerritsen, reports.

There could be a decision as early as next week about the future of disputed land at Ihumātao.

The site near Auckland Airport was occupied by hundreds of protesters last July, to stop the construction of close to 500 homes by Fletcher Building.

The development has been on hold since then, as the government, Fletcher Building and mana whenua tried to reach a resolution.

Māni Dunlop is RNZ's Māori News Director.

The minister in charge of managed isolation, Megan Woods, says about $80 million has been spent so far on the compulsory 14-day isolation period for every returning New Zealander.

She says nearly $300 million has been budgeted to keep the system running for the rest of the year.

Woods speaks to Corin Dann.

A South Auckland crane driver has been denied a $100,000 payout for his cancer after a government-owned finance company switched his policy.

His wife is furious that on the basis of a salesperson's pitch, the family of three children has now been pushed to financial breaking point.

Phil Pennington reports.

Waikato iwi want to block Auckland Council's bid to more than double the city's daily water grab from the Waikato River.

Auckland's mayor has asked the Environment Select Committee to add the consent to the list of 11 fast-tracked projects on the Covid-19 Recovery Bill.

Those responsible for protecting the river say Auckland's drought crisis is nothing to do with Covid-19.

Rachel Thomas reports.

Across the ditch, international arrivals are also subject to a more severe form of quarantine. Tom Crampton, a Kiwi who lives in Melbourne, has had the dubious pleasure of being required to isolate in both countries. He speaks to Corin Dann.

While New Zealand focuses on how it manages imported cases of Covid-19, Australia is focusing on new infections within its borders.

Most new cases of Covid-19 are now the product of community transmission in the state of Victoria. That's meant state and federal reintroducing restrictions.

Limits on gatherings at homes have been tightened, and health officials are now warning residents of certain Melbourne suburbs not to leave the area.

Corin Dann speaks to ABC journalist Casey Briggs.