Morning Report

The National Party wants the government to be more upfront about the status of Kurdish Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani.

The journalist and author arrived in New Zealand last year to attend a literary festival in Christchurch after spending more than six years in an Australian detention centre on Manus Island.

His visitor visa expired in December 2019 and he is believed to still be in the country.

Stuart Smith is the National Party spokesperson for immigration.

Travellers returning to New Zealand to see a family member who is dying are not being allowed out of managed isolation.

So far all 24 people who have applied for an exemption to visit a relative who was dying or close to dying have been turned down.

Reporter Phil Pennington speaks to Kim Hill.

The situation is expected to worsen for farmers in drought-hit areas over the next few months, with hopes of any decent grass growth before winter quickly diminishing.

Parts of Northland, Hawke's Bay and the Corromandel Peninsula are among the worst affected and farmers there are being encouraged to put plans in place, to help get them through.

Maja Burry reports.

The government plans to fast-track consents for 'shovel ready', large scale building projects, sidestepping mechanisms for the community to have a stay.

The temporary changes will speed up the consenting process, and allow small panels to hear applications - with decisions expected in 25 days in most cases.

The government says while existing Treaty of Waitangi settlements will be upheld - appeal rights will be limited to points of law and judicial review.

Mike Smith from the National Iwi Chairs Forum is leading their work on the matter - he will be meeting with ministers about it later today.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Cabinet has approved the introduction of law changes that could fast-track consent under the Resource Management Act.

The Government says it doesn't want the RMA to stand in the way of the timely delivery of infrastructure designed to create jobs and boost a flagging economy under Covid-19.

Legislation to go before Parliament in June will take away public and council input in to major works. Instead projects will be vetted by a panel of experts, but only for a period of two years.

Environment Minister David Parker speaks to Kim Hill.

The dairy industry wants New Zealanders to fall back in love with life on the farm.

With Covid-19 meaning the migrant workforce isn't available, it's predicted the sector will need to fill 1000 jobs in time for moving day on June 1 - the first day of the new dairy season.

Robin Martin reports.

Could the lockdown signal the end of rough sleeping? Former rough sleepers and community housing groups think it could.

More than 1000 people have been housed in last five weeks and the government has announced another $100 million to be spent on homelessness.

RNZ's housing reporter Eva Corlett spoke to people who have a roof over their heads for the first time, in a long time.

Leaked emails show the police and Crown Law shared concerned officers had no power to enforce the lockdown.

The emails - which were shared with the New Zealand Herald - from Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement to other top officers share a Crown Law opinion warning the police they had little to no power to enforce the lockdown, and officers should be operating as though the country were at Alert Level 1.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Hospitals are being told to consider putting off surgery for older or seriously overweight patients as they start to resume their normal work.

In a memo to DHBs, the Ministry of Health urges them to try to get back to their planned work - like elective surgery and specialist appointments.

But it says they need to still be very mindful of the risks of Covid-19.

Health correspondent Rowan Quinn speaks to Kim Hill.

Cranes have cranked up on construction sites around the country in a sign that building activity is up and running.

Crane owners and operators are encouraged by the busy start at Alert Level 3 after four weeks in lockdown.

But some projects have been scrapped, others shelved and the crunch will come in the second half of the year.

Sharon Brettkelly reports.