Morning Report

The crayfish industry says moves by the Government to support the sector in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak may not be enough to stop some businesses going under.

The industry, which sells 98 percent of its crayfish exports to China, has been badly hit by the trade disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

Maja Burry reports.

The former police officer and National MP Chester Borrows, who chaired the Government's justice advisory group, says the new police Armed Response Teams are a step towards the routine arming of police.

A six month trial of the teams began in October in Manukau, Waikato and Canterbury. During the first five weeks of the trial, they were called out 75 times a day - that's 50 times more often than Armed Offenders Squad were called out.

Originally police said the purpose of the teams would be to respond to critical or high risk incidents, but National Commander Freda Grace, who oversees the teams, says it makes no sense for them to be idle.

Borrows speaks to Susie Ferguson.

The first New Zealand athletes selected for this year's Tokyo Olympics are about to be named with the sailing team to be revealed in Auckland.

It's an uncomfortable position for a coalition Prime Minister - having a minister go rogue but having only two stark decisions - risk collapsing the Government or tolerate open defiance.

Comments from Shane Jones about Indian students have been condemned as racist, including by one of his own Cabinet colleagues.

Here's RNZ political editor, Jane Patterson.

It's an uncomfortable position for a coalition Prime Minister - having a minister go rogue but having only two stark decisions - risk collapsing the Government or tolerate open defiance.

Comments from Shane Jones about Indian students have been condemned as racist, including by one of his own Cabinet colleagues.

Here's RNZ political editor, Jane Patterson.

The new Armed Police Response Teams have been called out 50 times more often than Armed Offenders Squads were last year.

Data shows the teams were used 75 times a day in the first five weeks of a six month trial that started in late October.

Police say the trial is going "really well", and Armed Response Teams haven't fired a gun once.

Jordan Bond reports.

National Party leader Simon Bridges has criticised the Government's response to Covid-19, saying the economic response to the outbreak has been sub par.

He told reporters on Tuesday there has not been enough planning for how to support businesses during the outbreak.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

One of the main suppliers of protective gear for doctors and nurses is worried stocks could run out here if Chinese factories in Wuhan don't re-open soon.

The epicentre of the coronavirus also makes most of the world's supply of overalls, aprons, shoes and gloves.

Charlotte Cook reports.

The United States Federal Reserve has announced an emergency interest rate for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

It has slashed interest rates by half a percentage point in response to concerns that the coronavirus outbreak could damage the economy.

It follows Australia's slashing of its official cash rate to a record low of just 0.50 percent.

New Zealand may need to respond to the US's and Australia's rate cuts.

Independent economist Cameron Bagrie speaks to Corin Dann.

The United States Federal Reserve has announced an emergency interest rate for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis.

It has slashed interest rates by half a percentage point in response to concerns that the coronavirus outbreak could damage the economy.

It follows Australia's slashing of its official cash rate to a record low of just 0.50 percent.

Michael Mackenzie is a markets editor at the Financial Times.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.