Morning Report

The New Zealand Olympic Committee says the decision to postpone the Tokyo Games to next year gives athletes the certainty they need during the coronavirus pandemic.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

There's concern some small businesses will decide they might as well go out of business, despite the government launching more measures to help them survive the impacts of Covid-19.

Yesterday Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced a $6.5 billion finance guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized businesses.

Small businesses say they still have to pay back any loans and they are facing a huge dilemma.

Bridget Tunnicliffe reports.

Parliament will urgently convene one last time this afternoon to put the country in a State of Emergency before shutting up shop over the four-week lockdown.

MPs will then head into self-isolation - but it won't mean an end to the Opposition's ability to scrutinise the Government.

Here's RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch.

Jesse Stevens is a New Zealander in a suburb of Barcelona and has been in lockdown for 10 days.

The government has recently extended the lockdown there until April 12.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

Queenstown's mayor fears thousands of migrant workers in Queenstown may struggle to have food or shelter after losing their jobs and becoming stranded.

Jim Boult says some will need urgent government support as the council can't cope.

While the government's multi-billion dollar support plan is expected to provide much needed help for businesses and their staff, it's not expected to save every job or company.

Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

A mortgage holiday repayment scheme is being warmly welcomed by landlords, but hitting all the wrong notes with some renters.

The government announced yesterday that banks have agreed people hit in the pocket by Covid-19 can have a six-month break from paying principal and interest.

Tenants struggling to get by want the benefits passed down to them.

Katie Todd reports.

An employment lawyer is warning many workers will fall through the cracks under the Government's Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme.

The Finance Minister Grant Robertson has dramatically expanded the initial business support package, but unions says staff are still facing weeks without financial support.

Here's political reporter Charlie Dreaver with the story.