Morning Report

The Minister for the Environment is promising safeguards will be in place as he moves to fast track major infrastructure plans.

Eleven projects are being rushed through the consent process to speed up economic growth in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.

Coalition partner the Greens aren't fully backing the moves until they are convinced environmental and iwi voices will be heard.

The projects, including the long-awaited walking and cycling track across the Auckland harbour bridge, are listed in the new Covid-19 Recovery Bill.

Parker speaks to Corin Dann.

The Labour Party has unveiled its full list of candidates for the election and it includes one of the key voices advising the government during the Covid-19 crisis.

Dr Ayesha Verrall - who is an infectious diseases specialist - is ranked number 18 - well above many of the party's sitting MPs.

Dr Verrall was vocal in her criticism of the government's contact tracing programme before being brought in by the Ministry of Health to review its work.

Claire Szabo is the Labour Party president.

England has relaxed its rules after a three month lockdown to try and limit the spread of coronavirus.

Over 41,000 people have died from the disease in Britain. EasyJet aircraft took to the skies for the first time in months, for a small number of mainly domestic flights.

All shops in England are now allowed to open, although retailers have had to introduce strict safety measures.

London correspondent Vincent McAvinney has just returned from the shops and speaks to Corin Dann.

Important health subjects are in line to be dropped from the final year of Otago University's medical degree.

The university has proposed no longer making psychological medicine, obstetrics or gynaecology compulsory for students in the sixth year - when they do practical work in the field.

The plans have alarmed many doctors - more than 160 have written to the university to "express their dismay".

Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn reports.

The US Supreme Court has delivered a landmark ruling to recognise the rights of LGBTQ workers this morning.

The ruling means the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also protects gay and transgender employees from discrimination.

The three to six verdict is the biggest victory for the LGBTQ community since the court upheld marriage equality in 2015.

Washington correspondent Simon Marks speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Nearly 400 health specialists are telling government it must invest in rundown GP and hospital IT systems.

A national health stocktake has revealed that data systems are outdated, poorly managed and vulnerable to  cyber threats.

As Phil Pennington reports clinicians have now written to the Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield urging him to act.

The United States Tennis Association will repeatedly hold the U.S. Open this year without fans.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Disability advocates say the public housing agency, Kainga Ora, needs to set its sights higher when it comes to making more houses accessible.

The agency has set a target to ensure at least 15 percent of the new houses it builds meet universal design standards - so they're accessible for everyone.

Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero told RNZ social issues reporter Sarah Robson that the government needs to be doing better.

The Picton ferry redevelopment has been earmarked for fast-tracked consent as part of the government's plan to boost the economy and create jobs.

It is one of eleven projects named in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track) Bill due to be introduced in the house later this week.

The Mayor of Marlborough John Leggett told report Eva Corlett the project will create better road and rail connections, bring in newer, larger and more environmentally friendly ferries and boost the local economy.