Morning Report

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is fighting extradition to the United States at a hearing today in London.

Assange faces charges related to the leaking of government secrets. Vincent McAviney has been at the hearing.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

It's expected around 1500 forestry workers will have lost their jobs by the end of the month, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Forest Industry Contractors Association chief executive Prue Younger says with no end in sight to the disruption, the situation is reaching crisis point.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said options were being looked at for moving North Island forestry workers to conservation jobs in Southland.

But Younger told political reporter Yvette McCullough that she doesn't think this plan will provide much relief.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

Musicans from around the country took their instruments to the grounds of Parliament yesterday to celebrate the 87th birthday of RNZ Concert.

In one of the more soothing demonstrations seen at Parliament, they made the point they want to see the station celebrate many more anniversaries.

Earlier this month, RNZ management announced a restructure which would take Concert off FM and instead put on AM and streamed online as an automated service, to make way for a youth-focused service.

RNZ withdrew the plan after widespread opposition.

Seventeen-year-old school student Jess Jenkins, a violinist, took part in the birthday party and told RNZ reporter Jonathan Mitchell that RNZ Concert deserves a long successful future.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson spoke at yesterday's event - he said the Government is interested only in changes that enhance RNZ Concert.

Universities are scrambling to convince officials they can safely manage an influx of students from China if the coronavirus travel ban is relaxed.

New Zealand's borders are currently closed to all foreign travellers coming from mainland China but universities want an exemption for tertiary students.

The Government has signalled it's open to the idea, if it can be assured that the education sector can keep New Zealanders safe.

Here's RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch.

Paceman Tim Southee silenced his critics in his return to the New Zealand Test cricket team, taking nine wickets in the Black Caps big win over India at the Basin Reserve.

Harvey Weinstein is found guilty of sexual assault in a New York court. Markets fall as coronavirus cases surge - The Dow plunges 900 points on opening. A grieving mother claims Oranga Tamariki failed to tell her her son was in hospital greivously ill. 30 people are injured after a car drives into a crowd in Germany.

Growers of industrial hemp say red tape is stopping industries from making the most of what many regard as a potential wonder crop.

Hemp lacks the mind-altering power of its close cousin marijuana, but its use is subject to Ministry of Health restrictions.

That hasn't stopped a growing number of farmers wanting to get into the fledgling industry.

RNZ reporter Katie Todd joined about a hundred Christchurch residents travelling to a hemp farm open day in North Canterbury yesterday, to find out why.

A group of rainbow organisations say they will not be participating in the Wellington International Pride Parade this year.

They say it's too much about corporates and not enough about the community.

Rainbow Wellington Committee member Craig Watson said in a statement the group is keen to connect the whole community.

He said it's "important to see that both sides are well heard and that the community has a voice". 

Wellington Issues reporter Harry Lock has more.