Morning Report

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.

Physics teachers say they are shocked by a proposal to streamline the teaching of science at NCEA Level One.

The Ministry of Education is considering replacing Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth and Space Science with a single subject, Science.

Natalie Plank is the President of the New Zealand Institute of Physics.

She speaks to Corin Dann.

International students stranded in China are sidestepping a ban on coming to New Zealand by going to a third country before travelling here.

They say the ban because of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak is unfair and should be lifted.

The New Zealand Union of Students' Associations agrees and has published an open letter to the Prime Minister, saying the ban is unreasonable, unempathetic and fuels racism.

Isabella Lenihan-Ikin is the associations' national president.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

The New Zealand stock market closed about 1 percent lower last night.

At one point the benchmark top 50 Index was down 3 percent, but clawed back much of the losses before closing.

ANZ Senior Economist Liz Kendall speaks to Corin Dann.

The coach of the New Zealand boxing team says his athletes are remaining positive about the outbreak of coronavirus in Italy and their prospects of getting to next week's Olympic qualifying tournament in Jordan.

Lotto stores are expected to be busy today with a $42 million Powerball prize up for grabs tonight.

If struck it will be the second highest Powerball prize in history - a couple from the Hibiscus Coast won $44 million in 2016. It's enough money to fuel a great many dreams, but what are the odds of being that lucky?

Dr Matthew Parry is a statistician at the University of Otago.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Australia's domestic spy agency has given a frank and unprecedented account of foreign interference within its borders that national security experts say applies here too.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Michael Burgess says some of the tactics being used against his country "are so sophisticated, they sound like they've sprung from the pages of a cold war thriller".

Amy Williams reports.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has failed to convince Jacinda Ardern to send a strong message to Australia on climate change when she visits there this week.

Bainimarama made his position clear to Ms Ardern in Suva yesterday, asking that she demand more from neighbours - a clear dig at Australia's resistance to real action.

RNZ political reporter Jo Moir is travelling with the Prime Minister and speaks to Corin Dann.

A police crackdown on drivers using their mobile phones has led to a 40 percent increase in the number of fines being issued.

Road safety advocates are encouraged by the numbers, saying using a cellphone is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do.

Ben Strang reports many think more action is needed.

A Māori patient who is dying of bowel cancer is backing calls for the government to lower the screening age before it's too late. 

New Zealand does not screen people aged 50 to 59 despite them making up 12 percent of those with bowel cancer, and 22 percent of Māori with the disease being in that age group. 

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui reports.