Morning Report

The film and screen industry has emerged as one of the candidates to help rebuild Queenstown Lakes' shattered economy.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy sealed the district's reputation as a stunning backdrop and trading on that scenery may be key to rebounding from Covid-19.

Timothy Brown reports.

Australia and New Zealand have both committed to introducing a Covid-safe travel zone between the two countries.

Tasmania's Premier and New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister are already planning new direct flights as both governments work towards a tran-tasman bubble.

Chief executive of Aviation New Zealand John Nicholson speaks to Kim Hill.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

Live music venues have launched the careers of our most talented performers, but now many of the hot spots are holding on for dear life.

Forced to close during lockdown they face an uncertain future with travel restrictions, no revenue from international acts, and a public anxious about gathering in large groups.

The Save our Venues campaign is raising money to help the bars and clubs through the lean times.

Hamish Cardwell reports.

New Zealand's museums and art galleries are concerned that government and philanthropic funding sources might dry up, with the money instead diverted to health and social causes related to the pandemic.

That's according to a survey of the sector that was conducted in April.

Phillipa Tocker is the chief executive of Museums Aotearoa.

She speaks to Gyles Beckford.

Māori and Pacific Island small business owners are cautiously optimistic that they can weather the Covid-19 storm. 

It's been just over a week since the level four lockdown was lifted, enabling 75,000 Māori to return to work at Alert Level 3. 

But other Māori businesses say it's a challenging time to operate and there's no guarantee they will survive. 

RNZ Māori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

The number of adults on the police's National Gang List has risen by a third since the last election but gang crime has fallen over the same period.

During the same period, the government has swollen police ranks by more than 1000 officers.

The National Party says it doesn't make sense for the crime to be falling while the gangs grow.

Ben Strang reports.

The Green Party wants the Government to introduce legislation to enable Fair Pay Agreements for people doing essential work, such as retail, cleaning, security and transport.

The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed just how much New Zealand relies on essential workers and the Greens argue they deserve to be paid a "dignified" wage.

Jan Logie is their Workplace Relations spokesperson.

She speaks to Kim Hill.

There was some surprise when All Black coach Ian Foster named Sam Cane to lead the side.

The 28-year-old Chiefs loose forward has been given the honour ahead of the Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock.

Cane has led the All Blacks three times in his 68 Test career.

RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter speaks to Kim Hill.

The Transport Agency has admitted that sections of Wellington's $1 billion project, Transmission Gully, need to be re-laid after an error. It's another bump in the road after a number of delays on the 27 kilometre stretch of freeway. On Monday the agency said the completion date had been extended into next year, exceeding it's current November deadline. Here to explain it is RNZ reporter Charlotte Cook.