Morning Report

Airways New Zealand says passenger safety will be maintained if its proposal to remove air traffic services from seven regions goes ahead.

Airways, a state owned enterprise, wants to shut down its service at Rotorua, Napier, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Invercargill, Kapiti Coast and Milford Sound airports.

Graeme Sumner is the chief executive of Airways New Zealand.

The country's Air Traffic Service provider - Airways New Zealand - is proposing to remove services from seven regional airports around the country.

Rotorua, Napier, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Invercargill, Kapiti Coast and Milford Sound airports may all lose their air traffic services.

The Air Line Pilots' Association says it has serious concerns about the safety of the move and is accusing Airways New Zealand of putting cost savings ahead of the safety of the public.

Corin Dann speaks to the association's president Captain Andrew Ridling about the risks this move would pose.

America's leading infectious disease expert has warned States against lifting lockdown restrictions to soon, saying it could lead to a spike in deaths.

Speaking at a congressional hearing today, Dr Anthony Fauci says he is concerned there has not been a gradual decline in new cases over a two week period.

His comments stand in stark contrast to those made by President Donald Trump who has pushed for the US to reopen and has championed the White House's response to the pandemic.

Washington correspondent Simon Marks speaks to Susie Ferguson.

MPs will continue debating today critical legislation which will grant extraordinary powers to both the Government and police to combat Covid-19.

The proposed law allows authorities to enforce the conditions under Alert Level 2 and Alert Level 1 - even after the state of emergency across the country is lifted.

National MPs have opposed the legislation - decrying the lack of scrutiny it's been given and the unchecked power it endows. Simon Bridges is the leader of the National Party.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

Housing groups are calling for a multi-billion dollar spend on housing, to echo the substantial housing build that followed the Great Depression.

The groups say that this is a unique opportunity to stimulate the economy, support the construction industry and transform the lives of those living in temporary or substandard housing.

RNZ housing reporter, Eva Corlett filed this story - beginning with a post depression recording.

In a pre-Budget announcement, the government has announced $4 billion will be spent on health care, including money to help catch up on the tens of thousands of surgeries and procedures delayed by Covid-19.

Nearly $300 million has been allocated for the catch-up on the estimated 153,000 surgeries, scans, specialist appointments and procedures.

The announcement is welcome news for the Cancer Society, which last week reported to the Epidemic Response Committee there had been 30 percent fewer cancers diagnosed over the lockdown.

Chris Jackson is the medical director of the Cancer Society.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

RNZ has learned that police conducted a trial of a controversial facial recognition software without telling their new boss or talking to the Privacy Commissioner.

American software firm Clearview AI is used by hundreds of police departments in the United States.

It's effectively a search engine for faces - billing itself as a crime-fighting tool to identify both criminals and victims.

Mackenzie Smith has the story.

Parliament continues in urgency this morning so MPs will meet under urgency this morning to continue debating extraordinary legislation granting the government sweeping powers to combat Covid-19.

The proposed law was pushed through its first and second reading in Parliament last night - with just the National Party opposing it.

It gives the Health Minister the power to issue orders which can be backed up with fines or imprisonment.

Police will enforce the orders, and be allowed to enter premises without a warrant - for example to shut down illegal gatherings.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Doctors are worried that despite a huge boost in health spending in the budget, frontline general practitioners will miss out.

A $4.3 billion cash injection has been announced for district health boards, including money to help catch up on the tens of thousands of surgeries and procedures delayed by Covid-19.

But the Medical Association wants to know where the money is for GPs and community care.

Dr Kate Baddock is the association's chair.