Morning Report

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.

For the first time ever, New Zealand's border is shut. It closed at one minute to midnight last night to everyone except citizens or permanent residents ... who can still bring their children, guardians and partners in. Foreigners who had already boarded their planes before the deadline were allowed in, but any who missed it, were turned back. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the extraordinary move is necessary to protect New Zealand from people coming here from countries experiencing major outbreaks of Covid-19. RNZ reporters spoke to new arrivals to the country.

The NRL could be thrown into turmoil this morning with the Warriors set to decide their immediate future in the competition.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Covid-19 coronavirus is making its impact in the Pacific felt well beyond the economics of cancelled flights.

Fiji has its first confirmed case, New Caledonia is closing public places after the presence of the virus was announced and French Polynesia's case numbers doubled in a day.

An Aucklander also remains in isolation in Samoa awaiting test results.

RNZ Pacific's Jamie Tahana speaks to Philippa Tolley.

New Zealanders planning an indoor wedding, a 21st or a funeral could be hit with a four thousand dollar fine or up to six months in jail if they invite more than a hundred people.

The crackdown is another part of the government's battle against coronavirus as the pandemic continues to radically change people's lives.

Rachel Thomas has the story.

New Zealand's borders are shut for the first time in history.

The call was made last night to close the border from one minute to midnight.

Jacinda Ardern says the significance of the decision is not lost on her.

RNZ political reporter Jo Moir has this story.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

A Nelson scientist says New Zealand should look to Japan for lessons in how to develop a sense of purpose in a rising tide of panic.

Murray McClintock, his partner and their three children are now isolating themselves at home in Nelson, having returned from Japan a week ago.

He told our Nelson reporter Tracy Neal that the Japanese took a practical approach to their every-day responses to the spread and containment of Covid-19.