Morning Report

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have opened their NZ netball Premiership season with a 54-48 victory over the Southern Steel in Dunedin.

World markets keep tumbling - trading is halted on Wall Street soon after opening. Covid-19 restrictions ramp up in the US and Europe as the death toll mounts. Here the Government's set to unveil a multi-billion dollar coronavirus bail out. Tough action is promised against people who don't follow isolation rules.

Thousands of people descended on Palmerston North this weekend to witness cowpat throwing, hay-bale stacking and sheep shearing.

While other events across the country were put off, the annual Rural Games went ahead as planned, with the city's central square transformed into a farming paradise.

RNZ reporter Harry Lock went to take a look.

An American tourist who began his journey here before travel restrictions were announced is now waiting to find out if he'll have to stay in New Zealand in isolation for two weeks or will be allowed to carry on to Australia in a few days as originally planned.

Joe Sugura arrived in Auckland this morning after a long journey from Portland in Oregon.

He speaks to Philippa Tolley.

Air New Zealand has placed itself into a trading halt today to allow it time to more fully assess the operational and financial impacts of global travel restrictions.

It says it is further reducing capacity across its network as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on travel demand.

Business Editor Gyles Beckford speaks to Morning Report.

Hundreds of forestry workers who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 outbreak are being offered jobs in the horticulture sector, which is desperate for labour.

But many will struggle to get the same pay - and it seems the roots of the problem go back further than the pandemic.

Ruth Hill reports.

We're one week into the Auckland Arts Festival and reviewer Justin Gregory is able tell us all about it.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

The first anniversary of the 15 March mosque attacks was marked in Christchurch yesterday, despite the cancellation of the national memorial service.

It was called off because of the risk of the spread of Covid-19.

But as Conan Young reports, that didn't stop the Muslim community pulling together to support each other.

An economic relief package for Covid-19 is due to be announced tomorrow.

The travel industry is reeling from the new travel restrictions.

It is expected Air New Zealand will have to make big operational changes to deal with the new border rules.

Grant Robertson is the Finance Minister, and shareholding minister for Air New Zealand.

He speaks to Philippa Tolley.