Morning Report

The first full working week of the new normal is almost over, most New Zealanders are holed up at home, and relying on essential workers to keep the country running.

So how's that going?

Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett speaks to Corin Dann.

The first full working week of the new normal is almost over, most New Zealanders are holed up at home, and relying on essential workers to keep the country running.

So how's that going?

Chris Farrelly, chief executive at Auckland City Mission, speaks to Susie Ferguson.

The first full working week of the new normal is almost over, most New Zealanders are holed up at home, and relying on essential workers to keep the country running.

So how's that going?

Kiri Hannafin from Countdown Supermarkets speaks to Corin Dann.

The first full working week of the new normal is almost over, most New Zealanders are holed up at home, and relying on essential workers to keep the country running.

So how's that going?

Chief executive of Age Concern Stephanie Clare speaks to Susie Ferguson.

The first full working week of the new normal is almost over, most New Zealanders are holed up at home, and relying on essential workers to keep the country running.

So how's that going?

Bryan Betty, medical director of the College of General Practitioners, speaks to Corin Dann.

Māori celebrities and experts are giving online tutorials to help thousands of children keep up their reo Māori during the Level Four lockdown. 

TV host Stacey Morrison, singer Pere Wihongi and former All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder are among those live streaming kaupapa Māori lessons on Facebook. 

RNZ's Māori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

The prime minister's former chief science adviser says that rapid contact tracing is critical to the success of fighting Covid-19.

The government has broadened its testing criteria for the virus, which will mean more cases will be detected.

New research from Oxford University suggests that the faster that contacts of positive cases can be notified, the greater the hope of fighting the pandemic.

Former chief science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman speaks to Corin Dann.

Small businesses are desperate for rent relief, with some saying they have no choice but to walk away from their lease.

On average, rent accounts for about 40-percent of a firm's fixed costs.

Tenants and landlords are working out arrangements on a case by case basis, leaving some arguing they haven't got a fair deal.

Rachel Thomas reports.

There's no sign the Government will tighten quarantine controls for those arriving at the border, in response to calls from the opposition to quarantine and test everyone.

The police have admitted they have not been able to carry out the expected level of checking on people sent home to self isolate; if they arrive in New Zealand with no Covid-19 symptoms and have a plan for self-isolation.

Those with symptoms or no plan are put into quarantine, or closely supervised self-isolation in a hotel.

At present there are about 4,000 recent arrivals self-isolating, but opposition MPs say there's no way of knowing if they're sticking to the rules.

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there are different high risk groups, all being managed but there is no need to change requirements at the border, for now.

National leader Simon Bridges, who chairs the Epidemic Response Committee, told our political editor Jane Patterson the police have the necessary resources, they just need to prioritise.

The domestic travel ban has been lifted for stranded foreign tourists trying to get to international airports to fly home.

The government has announced a plan to help the tens of thousands of people stranded here.

Foreign governments will be allowed to organise charter flights to repatriate their citizens, and links between New Zealand and Europe will increase with a second daily flight between Auckland and Doha.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks to Susie Ferguson.