Morning Report

An infectious diseases expert tells us New Zealand was not ready for a pandemic, and Top scientists say we should be developing our own vaccine in New Zealand

We've been ringing around the country to find out what people are getting up to while they're locked down during Alert Level 4.

Today we check in with Wellington-based writer and cartoonist Tom Scott.

While sports are off the cards under lockdown, competitive video games follow no such structures.

New Zealand Esports are experiencing a boom due to Covid-19, with the industry being nationally recognised for the first time.

Insiders say it's just the beginning.

Mackenzie Smith reports.

Grey Power says many elderly people are finding it difficult to access information about lockdown rules and how to stay safe from Covid-19.

Their national president Mac Welch says it's an information divide that's grown with the arrival of Covid-19.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

A clinical psychologist says most children will not suffer long-term emotional harm as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown and she's warning parents not to panic.

Whatever Cabinet decides about alert level changes today, most children will be home from school for at least another week.

Katy Gosset reports.

Some families who call New Zealand home have found themselves separated on other sides of the world, facing the prospect of months apart because of the tough border restrictions.

Only New Zealand citizens and residents are allowed into the country - with a few limited exceptions.

So far the vast majority of those who have sought exceptions have been declined.

RNZ reporter Sarah Robson has the story.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

A union representing residential aged care workers says understaffing and not enough personal protective equipment continue to be huge problems.

The government has just announced an extra $26 million for the sector.

But E tū says the funds will be little more than a bandaid without safe staffing levels and comprehensive regulation.

E tū director Sam Jones speaks to Corin Dann.

There are concerns power bills could rise with so many people not just working from home but spending most of their spare time there as well.

Meters aren't being read and bills are instead being estimated during the lockdown.

That's prompted complaints to Consumer New Zealand.

Consumer head of research Jessica Wilson speaks to Susie Ferguson.

A machete-wielding man has been shot dead by police in Auckland overnight.

Police received 13 separate calls from residents worried about a man with a machete in Central Avenue in Papatoetoe.

RNZ reporter Michael Cropp has the details.