Morning Report

If you find yourself working from home to avoid the coronavirus - you might unknowingly be at risk of another virus altogether.

An expert in the IT sector is warning of an increased risk of cyber security breaches as more people are forced to work from home during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Unprotected devices could lead to the loss of data, breaches of privacy and systems held to ransom.

Scott Arrol is the chief executive of New Zealand Health IT.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

Markets around the world suffered dramatic losses on Monday as a new oil war sparked by the Covid-19 outbreak sent crude prices plummeting.

Just after markets opened, crude prices briefly dropped as much as 30 percent before gaining back some ground - the biggest fall since the Gulf War in 1991.

International benchmark Brent Crude reached $32 a barrel.

 Z Energy chief executive Mike Bennett speaks to Susie Ferguson.

BNZ's economists say it is probable not just plausible New Zealand's economy will enter a recession as the economy struggles with the coronavirus outbreak.

In a market update the bank advised it was "formally forecasting at least two quarters of negative growth".

Stephen Toplis is the BNZ's head of research

Hockey New Zealand has cancelled a trip by the Black Sticks Men and Women's teams to play Pro League games in the Netherlands and Germany due to the coronavirus.

The government is considering changing the rules to allow people to ride bikes up 15 kilometres an hour on the footpath.

Riders would have to give way to pedestrians and people in wheelchairs.

It's part of a raft of possible changes outlined in the Transport Agency's Accessible Streets consultation package released yesterday.

Dr Chris Teo-Sherrell from the Footpaths for Feet coalition says the proposed speed limit isn't far off the pace of a good marathon runner - which is far too fast for the footpath.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

Anti-smoking group ASH is decrying what it calls a deplorable waste of money by Quit Group - the charity originally commissioned to run Quitline.

Yesterday RNZ revealed that five years after Quit Group ceased to function, it continues to pay board members tens of thousands of dollar a year from funds that were not invested in smokefree services.

ASH wants the money, over $2.5 million, returned to the Government's Health Promotion Agency so it can be redistributed to those actively working to reduce smoking in Aotearoa.

Deborah Hart is the director of ASH.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

As the country and Christchurch prepare to mark the first anniversary of the mosque attacks, many of those who survived are still struggling with the impact of that day.

A psychologist helping survivors of the attacks says 20 percent of them could experience post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions.

Conan Young talked to Dr Tom Marshall about the long-lasting effects of such an horrific event.

New Zealanders have been stocking up on rubber gloves and pasta in the wake of Covid-19.

While Aussies are scrapping over toilet paper, figures show New Zealanders are also stocking up on cleaning products, canned goods and baking ingredients.

Charlotte Cook reports.

The New Zealand market is set for another volatile day as markets continue to feel the effects from Covid-19. The benchmark NZX Top 50 Index ended down 2.9 percent, by 334 points to 11-thousand-and 92 -- biggest one day fall since mid October 2018. OM Financial's Director of Institutional Commodities is Nigel Brunel.

Andrew Coster has been named the new commissioner of the police.

He replaces Mike Bush, who retires at the end of the month.

RNZ police reporter Ben Strang has more details about the new commissioner.