Morning Report

Former leaders of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation are backing a petition to remove its current board.

It's another setback for the union, which has recently witnessed the resignation of its president, vice president and three other board members.

The trade union's current most senior administrator has dismissed the petition as an untimely distraction during the Covid-19 outbreak.

It has so far collected more than 750 signatures.

RNZ's Anan Zaki filed this report.

The government has begun allocating $25 million to create products and services that will aid in the fight against Covid-19.

So far the Covid-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund has put money towards a new kind of ventilator, a thermal camera screening device, and early vaccine research.

Dr Megan Woods is the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation.

New Zealand is missing out on about $150 million because half the superyachts due to follow the America's Cup next year have pulled out.

More than 100 of the luxury boats were expected to start arriving at the end of the year but many have cancelled because Covid-19 border restrictions.

The remainder need urgent advice on quarantine rules before they will commit.

Sharon Brettkelly reports.

President Donald Trump has backtracked on plans to terminate the country's coronavirus task force, just a day after he signalled his intentions to cancel it.

Early this morning, President Trump tweeted that the taskforce - which is led by Vice President Mike Pence - would be continuing "indefinitely".

He said while they may add or subtract people, its focus would be safety, and opening up the country again.

Simon Marks speaks to Kim Hill from Washington.

Education advisors are warning that children could suffer mental health problems for years to come if schools botch their return to the classroom.

They say the Christchurch earthquakes and Australian bushfires show teachers should resist the temptation to launch straight back into normal lessons after a major event.

Principals are hoping to learn today when they will move into alert level two and how many of their students will be able to return to school.

RNZ's education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

Businesses are preparing to put in place whatever it takes to meet the new rules on trading under Alert Level 2.

They're pinning their hopes on Cabinet deciding to downgrade restrictions next week, saying its crucial for them survive and keep paying their staff.

Karoline Tuckey has more.

Today we'll find out what life will look like if Cabinet agrees to loosen lockdown restrictions next week, and move to Alert Level 2.

There are existing guidelines about what would be allowed - but the Prime Minister says they may end up looking quite different as a lot more is now known about the coronavirus.

Schools would open to all students, hospitality venues could re-open under certain conditions and larger weddings and funerals could be held.

Under the current guidelines domestic travel would still be limited to "essential" - but the tourism industry is hoping ministers have heard their pleas, and their assurances they could operate safely under Level 2 rules.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Sport New Zealand has created a $25 million package to provide short-term relief for struggling sports organisations.

The money will go towards supporting local and regional sport and recreation.

The announcement follows an initial fund of $70 million for national sports organisations.

Chief executive of Sport New Zealand Peter Miskimmin spoke to RNZ reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe about the difficulties facing local sports.

An economic "shock without precedent" has been forecasted for the European Union in a new report by the EU Commission.

Just days after the Commission showed the spirit of global community when it hosted a fundraiser which brought in millions of dollars from worldwide to support research into a new vaccine, the new report has given severe warnings for the European community.

It forecasts a decline in economic activity of 7.5 percent across the region, with Greece anticipated to be the worst hit.

Brussels correspondent Lucy Hough speaks to Susie Ferguson.