Morning Report

Jeanette Fitzsimons, who led the Green Party into Parliament in the 1990s, has died unexpectedly overnight, aged 75. Her husband, Harry Parke, says she lived her convictions as an environmentalist and Green MP, and was walking the talk all the time. Michael Cropp with this look back at her life.

People on all sides of the political spectrum are honouring Jeanette Fitzsimons this morning, after she died last night at the age of 75.

Grant Robertson: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Jeanette Fitzsimons. Over the 20 or so years I worked with and observed her everything she did was principled and value based. My thoughts are with her a family and the wider NZGreens whanau." 

Labour's Ruth Dyson writes: "Very sad to hear of the death of Jeanette Fitzsimons, a staunch advocate for social justice and environmental well being. My sympathy to her family and friends."

Scott Simpson the National MP for Coromandel says: "Very sorry to hear of Jeanette's passing. Always a passionate, energetic and articulate advocate for the environmental principles she held dear and lived by. I'll miss seeing her around Thames and Coromandel communities. RIP."

MP Christopher Bishop: "This is incredibly sad. Arohanui at this really difficult time to the @NZGreens who I know will be grieving. Had huge respect for Jeanette. She was a fierce yet humble fighter for improving our environment."

The former United Future leader Peter Dunne writes: "Rest well Jeanette Fitzsimons, humble, tirless and passionate advocate."

Political pollster David Farrar: "Condolences to friends and family of Jeanette Fitzsimons. One of the nicest and most principled MPs I have known."

The Auckland writer writer Simon Wilson says: "Tragic news. Jeanette Fitzsimons has died. She was inspirational every time she engaged and we have lost one of our greatest."

The mayor of Dunedin Aaron Hawkins: "They don't make them like that anymore, eh? RIP Jeanette Fitzsimons. A full life, lived entirely in the service of our environmental and social wellbeing."

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc upon the economy as markets and industries face the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Gyles Beckford has the latest on what that means.

A fourth case of Covid-19 has been confirmed in New Zealand, a male in his 30s.

The man is the partner of the second case announced on Tuesday, both of them returned to New Zealand from Italy in late February.

Fifty years ago, the plight of two iconic Fiordland lakes sparked a nationwide outcry and the largest environmental campaign the country had ever seen.

Some of the original campaigners are gathering at Manapouri and Te Anau this weekend to mark the occasion.

Tess Brunton reports.

Former Green party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has died aged 75.

She has been described as a politician of well-informed implacability, noted for never raising her voice in the House and never responding to insults from across the floor.

She never wavered from her deep conviction that change was essential in the way economic and social progress are measured.

Her husband Harry Parke speaks to Corin Dann.

The building industry is wondering if the economic impacts of Coronavirus will extend into the second half of the year and delay major projects.

But the meat export industry is seeing signs the borders into China are beginning to open up.

The Prime Minister met with her Business Advisory Council yesterday to discuss how the economic shock waves of the virus are rippling out.

Its chair Fraser Whineray says so far it's a variable beast, with some sectors completely unaffected, while others have been - and will continue to be - badly hit.

Jordan Bond reports.

The English women's cricket team is calling for change to future tournament rules after rain ended its hopes of advancing to the final of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

For more than 10 years now American multi media artist Laurie Anderson's been putting on concerts for dogs, their owners are invited along too but the music is at frequencies to appeal to canines. That's one of the upcoming highlights of the New Zealand Festival of the Arts in Wellington this week. Standing Room Only presenter Lynn Freeman speaks to Corin Dann.