Morning Report

Farmers in Wairarapa are banding together to send feed north to their drought-stricken neighbours in Hawke's Bay. That's despite feed for livestock being in short supply nationwide.

Wairarapa farmers Sophie and Daniel Hansen were inspired to set up the Rapa Feed Run after learning of similar efforts in Australia during the recent bushfire season.

Farmers in the region are asked to donate whatever excess feed they can, with volunteers taking care of logistics.

Sophie Hansen speaks to Corin Dann.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

An elderly woman has had her phone line and internet disconnected by Vodafone during lockdown because of an overdue account - caused by the company's own admin bungle.

That's despite the phone company promising no customers would be cut off during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Ruth Hill reports.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise says interest in fresh New Zealand produce is surging in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The Chinese economy is beginning to recover after two months in lockdown due to the coronavirus - but the path to recovery is uneven.

Fiona Acheson is NZ Trade and Enterprise's Regional Director for Greater China.

She speaks to Corin Dann.

The Government's big decision on whether to move New Zealand to Alert Level 2 is looming.

.Cabinet will decide today if the country can move to something almost resembling normality and allow cafes, bars and restaurants to reopen.

RNZ political editor Jane Patterson speaks to Susie Ferguson.

New Zealanders have a nervous wait today as the government makes the call this afternoon on whether to move to Alert Level 2.

The return to a semblance of normality is a big jump, and the government says a safe move that locks in the gains will be its priority. It has also hinted Level 2 could be moved to in stages.

The National Party says for the sake of peoples' livelihoods, we must move to Level 2 immediately.

RNZ political reporter Yvette McCullough has more.

The Cancer Society is concerned about the lack of funding in this year's budget for new cancer drugs as the government juggles the unexpected spending on Covid-19.

Pharmac is getting an extra $160 million over four years to secure approved medicines.

The drug buying agency has already said the rising cost of medicines and extra freight expenses due to the pandemic, means funding for the likes of Keytruda for lung cancer, will have to be put on hold.

Chris Jackson is the medical director of the Cancer Society.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

The Royal Commission investigating historic abuse in care has quietly suspended meetings of the group of survivors set up to advise it.

The inquiry told survivor advisory group members in December meetings would not be happening for the "forseeable future".

Instead, the Royal Commission says it's seeking advice from individual members and smaller working groups based on their own experiences.

Abuse survivors say that hasn't happened, and they now fear the inquiry is breaching its own terms of reference.

Katie Scotcher has the story.

At least five healthcare workers from Waitākere Hospital are known to have have tested positive for Covid-19 this month - including one who has been hospitalised.  

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says it shows there's gaps in how we are protecting those who are on the frontlines caring for others. 

Patients from Auckland's St Margaret's Rest Home were transfered to Waitākere Hospital on 17 and 18 April, and the healthcare workers who have tested positive now are believed to be part of that cluster - which continues to grow. 

Kate Weston from the NZ Nurses Organisation speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Waitematā DHB declined an invitation to speak to Morning Report, but in statement about the St Margaret's cluster it said:

"These recent cases are people who were identified early as close contacts and placed in self isolation.   ...and were previously undetected either because they had very mild symptoms or their symptoms developed during the period of isolation. 

"Although we cannot rule out further spread in these clusters and continue to take strong precautionary measures, there is no evidence of recent infection or spread of the disease."

The whole country is holding it's breath to find out when we will go into Alert Level 2.

Once the level drops retail, hospitality and domestic travel will be allowed again, albeit with restrictions on how many can enter premises and contact tracing requirements.

But will people get out and spend?

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub speaks to Corin Dann.