Morning Report

Passengers and crew on a dolphin-watching cruise near Tauranga were treated to a rare sighting of a whale shark on Tuesday.

The whale shark is the world's largest fish and can grow up to 18 metres long.

Brandon Stone owns the dolphin cruise company Bay Explorer.

Two protestors are yet to be charged by police after boarding an oil rig as it travelled past Marlborough Sounds.

The activists from the movement Extinction Rebellion Otautahi boarded the vessel which was on its way to Taranaki, and had to be flown off by OMV which owns the rig.

Siana Fitzjohn was one of the pair who boarded the rig.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Dentists want to know if they can carry on working should supplies of face masks run out.

The use of masks is compulsory and the Dental Association has asked its regulatory council whether they could continue treating patients if no masks are available.

Charlotte Cook reports.

Joe Biden has emerged as the biggest winner in the Super Tuesday primaries in the United States, continuing his remarkable comeback in the Democrats' race for the White House.

The billionare Mike Bloomberg dropped out of the race today after the results rolled in, and Elizabeth Warren is said to be assessing the path forward.

Brent Budowsky is a political columnist at The Hill and speaks to Corin Dann.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

The road to Milford Sound could soon be reopened to the public - but only at night.

Locals say a Transport Agency proposal is a step forward but many are frustrated that while they'll be limited to night time travel, tourist buses will be able to drive through in the day time.

Tess Brunton reports.

The contentious fight for Māori water rights is ramping up a notch, as Māori groups prepare to test a new case in court. 

The Māori Council is the latest to announce that it is mounting a case for Māori water rights in the High Court. 

It comes after the Waitangi Tribunal recommended litigation, to get a definitive answer over who owns water once and for all. 

RNZ Māori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

Tauranga residents are facing a hefty rates increase of 12.6 percent to help keep the city's head above water as it struggles with the the increasing costs of growth.

Mayor Tenby Powell says Tauranga has fallen behind in funding and infrastructure because of an abject lack of courage in the past.

RNZ reporter, Andrew McRae was at yesterday's council meeting which voted to recommend the increase in rates.

Travel companies are seeing few cancellations from their customers despite airlines cutting back their services and countries tightening their borders against the spread of coronavirus.

In fact, many are seeing an uptick in sales as cruise ships, airline companies and hoteliers flood them with cheap deals. Brent Thomas is from House of Travel.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

A third case of coronavirus has been confirmed in New Zealand.

The director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield confirmed the new case earlier on Morning Report but would not say where it had been found.

RNZ health correspondent Rowan Quinn speaks to Corin Dann.