Morning Report

A Wairarapa iwi is rallying around its most vulnerable amid the threat of Covid-19, preparing food packs and other essentials for every kaumātua in the rohe. 

The country's elderly are most at risk of the virus, with many resthomes already placing restrictions on visitor numbers to keep them safe.

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui reports.

Two politicians who are among the thousands of New Zealanders in isolation are the Green Party's Chloe Swarbrick and National's Chris Bishop.

A leading provider of classes for pregnant people to learn about childbirth and meet other expectant parents are expanding online to counter the spread of Covid-19.

Parents Centre is offering antenatal help via video and online group meetings.

Heather Hayden is the organisation's chief executive.

As new advice kicks in around social distancing to help combat the spread of Covid-19, challenges are emerging for public transport.

In Wellington yesterday, train platforms were crowded with hundreds of commuters as all trains leaving the capital were cancelled or delayed due to a fault.

Putting social distancing into effect wasn't easy.

Meanwhile, from Monday, the region's transport network Metlink will remove all cash sales from trains, buses and stations.

Daran Ponter is chairman of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

Pressure is mounting on the government to make a specific pandemic plan for Māori, who are at increased risk of falling ill.

Māori leaders are criticising the government for not engaging with them over plans to protect their communities from Covid 19.

RNZ Māori News Correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

The Reserve Bank has announced range of measures including term loans to banks, agreement with US Federal Reserve to access up to US$30 billion and intervening in markets to maintain stability.

Gyles Beckford speaks to Corin Dann.

New Zealanders in Australia who face months of unemployment or dramatically reduced working hours because of Covid-19 may have to do so with no financial assistance.

Of the 634,000 New Zealanders living in Australia, about half are not eligible for welfare payments there, because of a law change in 2001.

An advocacy group for those people, OzKiwi, says the New Zealand government will probably have to kick up a stink to get Australia to ease the restrictions during the pandemic.

Kate Newton reports.

As Covid-19 cases continues to rise volunteer groups are getting organised to help people in isolation.

One Christchurch man got together with a group of friends to shop for those who can't go to the supermarket.

Eleisha Foon has more.

The country's border closed to foreign travellers for the first time at midnight.

The announcement was made at 6pm on Thursday, giving people planning to fly less than six hours' notice.

It's one of a series of drastic measures the government has taken this week as it attempts to keep Covid-19 at bay, including announcing a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson speaks to Philippa Tolley.