Morning Report

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

Call it Mini Super Tuesday, or Super Tuesday: The Sequel.

No matter the name, a week after Joe Biden surged into the front-runner position, he's consolidated his lead.

The race to be the Democratic challenger to Donald Trump in November now appears to be firmly in his control.

Yesterday he called for unity with his rival Bernie Sanders. Six states held primary contests for the Democratic nomination, with the former vice-president winning Mississippi, Missouri, Idaho and the big prize - Michigan.

Bernie Sanders won in North Dakota and the two rivals are neck and neck with votes still being counted in Washington state. He is expected to hold a press conference soon.

Washington correspondent Jagruti Dave speaks to Corin Dann.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has warned the two Canterbury players who have been stood down are facing significant sanctions if they have found to have taken part in the "completely unacceptable" conduct allegations levelled at them.

The coronavirus outbreak is now officially a global pandemic , There've been more sharp falls on the world's stock markets. Former Hollwyood mogul Harvey Weinstein is jailed for 23 years for sex crimes. Drought is declared for the entire North Island and parts of the South Island.

Canterbury DHB is expecting the anniversary of the March 15 massacre will trigger an increase in mental health problems.

It has already treated more than 50 people for trauma related to 15 March including 20 who are still receiving help. As the anniversary approaches, it has warned more people will struggle.

Eleisha Foon has more.

Northland hapū have been marking the 175th anniversary of the felling of the flagstaff at Kororāreka which kicked off the Northern Wars in 1845.

Before she headed up the maunga for the ceremony I spoke with Deb Rewiri who chairs the Kororāreka Marae. 

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Fresh details have come to light of what RNZ's new multi media youth radio station would look like.

Last month, after public outrage and government opprobrium, RNZ shelved the plans to automate Concert - and a new frequency was offered for the multimedia youth service.

Mediawatch's Colin Peacock has been looking at documents relating to the plan, released under the Official Information Act, and speaks to Corin Dann.

The Reserve Bank is preparing a tool kit of unconventional monetary policies to use if the official cash rate no longer proves effective.

The central bank has decided it could use tools such as cutting interest rates below zero, lending banks money with conditions and buying government bonds, should it be confronted by a shock.

The assistant governor, Christian Hawkesby, told our business editor Gyles Beckford there is no need to use them at the moment - but it's prudent to be prepared.

The official cash rate is currently at a record low 1 percent Economists expect a cut to 0.75 pct or even 0.5 pct at the next review on March the 25th will be needed to counter the effects of the Covid-19 virus on the economy.

The government's school donation scheme could open a floodgate of requests for tax rebates on payments to schools going back four years.

The scheme has made it clear payments many people thought were compulsory are in fact optional and therefore eligible for a 33 percent donation tax credit.

Now parents at a Tauranga school are hoping to claim rebates for thousands of dollars they spent on camps and field trips over the last four years.

Here's RNZ education correspondent, John Gerritsen.