Morning Report

Grant Robertson will give MPs a more detailed picture today of the potential economic damage wrought by Covid-19.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson has more on what we can expect.

More Government ministers will come under the scrutiny of Parliament's Epidemic Response Committee today where the Finance Minister will spell how just how badly Covid-19 has affected the economy.

As the country digs in to its third week of lockdown the Government says it will soon shed light on just how many restrictions will be done away with when level four lifts.

Jo Moir reports.

Resthomes are considering buying their own testing kits, because the Ministry of Health has refused to test new admissions.

Yesterday a third death at Rosewood rest home in Christchurch was confirmed, and there are now clusters in four rest homes across the country.

Two in Christchurch, one in Waikato, and one in Auckland.

There are 73 cases all up Aged Care Association chief executive Simon Wallace speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Bernie Sanders has this morning endorsed former vice president Joe Biden in the race for the White House.

The senator from Vermont dropped out of the race last week, saying he couldn't "in good conscience" continue to mount a campaign that cannot win.

That move cleared the path for Biden to face President Trump in November's election.

In a joint livestream event from their respective homes, Sanders urged voters to swing in behind Biden.

Sanders says there are some areas where he disagrees with Biden, but says they are "fairly close on others".

The former vice president says Sanders' endorsement means a lot to him.

Biden says he will need Mr Sanders not just to win, but to govern, and has promised to reach out to Bernie Sanders' supporters.

A high school principal has written to the Prime Minister asking that changes be made to the NCEA system this year - out of kindness to students and teachers.

Steve McCraken from Kaipara College wants the number of credits needed for each level to be reduced, and Level 1 suspended altogether.

The nurses union says it's expecting hundreds of its members who have had their hours cut to take legal action against District Health Boards.

The Nurses Organisation says casual workers have had their hours slashed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and been told they don't qualify for a wage subsidy, as they're considered government employees.

This includes people who are on casual contracts, but have been consistently doing the same shifts and hours each week, for years.

The union says the State Services Commission has advised organisations like DHBs to pay staff in that situation, acknowledging they won't have access to the wage subsidy scheme.

Nurses Organisation industrial advisor David Wait speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Almost three weeks into lockdown and one of the country's major healthcare providers is still struggling to get even a week's worth of personal protection equipment from the 20 District Health Boards.

Its chief executive says staff are feeling disillusioned and some believe they can't come into work as a result.

The news comes as the Ministry of Health is considering changing the way PPE is distributed.

Here's political reporter Charlie Dreaver.

Stocking shelves at supermarkets for little more than the minimum wage has become a desirable job for airline pilots and tens of thousands of others desperate for work.

New unemployment figures will be published today and are expected to show a leap in numbers.

As Sharon Brettkelly reports thousands of jobs are still being advertised but the competition is intense.

Police were out in force over the Easter weekend with 500 checkpoints set up around the country and thousands of motorists stopped.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is on the line speaks to Corin Dann.

Rest homes are looking at buying their own Covid 19 testing kits after the Ministry of Health refused to test new admissions.

This comes as infections continue to show up among the country's most vulnerable citizens.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to Susie Ferguson.