Morning Report

The Drug Foundation is defending a campaign that's being labelled "misleading".

The ad, which encourages people to vote "yes" in the upcoming cannabis referendum, mentions "medicinal treatment".

Critics say medicinal cannabis is already able to be prescribed by GPs, and is not what the referendum is about.

Ross Bell, executive director of the Drug Foundation, speaks to Corin Dann.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

A leading New Zealand tech boss says a new global workforce could emerge in the wake of Covid-19 where borders are irrelevant and the office is replaced with video conferencing apps like Zoom.

Anna Cuzron, chief product officer at Xero, made the comments in the RNZ podcast, After the Virus, which talks to New Zealand and international experts about the post-pandemic world.

But two American experts, who have served several US presidents, are warning the post-pandemic labour market could see an acceleration of the trends of gig work, a lack of bargaining power and inequality.

The series is hosted by RNZ's Guyon Espiner, who filed this report.

Motorists in Wellington will need to allow more time for journeys through the central city, with a new 30 kilometre speed limit for most streets, to be introduced from the end of July.

The move was approved by Wellington City Council's Strategy and Policy Committee, including councillor Nicola Young.

She spoke to Corin Dann, along with the Wellington-based CEO of Retail New Zealand, Greg Harford.

Auckland's Mayor is resigned to further delays to his city's light rail project, which is caught up in electioneering.

As we've been reporting this morning RNZ understands New Zealand First is refusing to back it before the election.

The National Party says the Government has broken a key promise by not delivering the project.

While the official line is that negotiations are ongoing, RNZ understands New Zealand First will not back the proposal and has sent a letter to the Transport Minister Phil Twyford saying just that.

Corin Dann speaks to Auckland's Mayor Phil Goff about his reaction.

The call to remove statues and place names that honour racist figures from New Zealand's history is gaining momentum.

A local historian says monuments from the early 20th century celebrate colonialism and imperialism and exclude Maori perspectives.

Vincent O'Malley is a historian and the author of several books including 'The New Zealand Wars'.

The Chiefs will don limited edition 'Women in Rugby' jerseys against the Highlanders in Dunedin tomorrow night.

Now we're at Level 1, anticipation is building for the return of live sport as the Highlanders take on the Chiefs at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.

A crowd of more than 18,000 is expected in what will be the largest gathering since the country entered lockdown almost three months ago.

Otago-Southland reporter Timothy Brown found out it's not only rugby heads who are excited.

A truckie, who jumped down from his cab to rescue a kiwi from the jaws of a stoat in a remote part of north Taranaki last year, has taken the encounter full circle.

Alan Pennington was briefly reunited with the bird he named Papa last night, before releasing the recuperated Western North Island brown kiwi into the Rotokare Scenic Reserve near Eltham.

RNZ Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was there.

While New Zealand is revelling in the freedoms of Alert Level 1, for around 3000 people in hotel quarantine, just getting a bit of fresh air has been a lot more difficult.

Since April, everyone arriving in the country has had to spend 14 days in managed isolation - or higher level quarantine if they have Covid-19 symptoms.

But with more people out on the streets, and no need for physical distancing, health authorities have had to re-think how people in managed isolation can get out for some exercise.

RNZ reporter Sarah Robson has the story.