Morning Report

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Councils fear giving Kainga Ora the power to authorise largescale housing developments would enable it to ride roughshod over local authorities.

Legislation before Parliament would give the new housing agency the ability to sign off on complex housing developments, which may not have council backing.

As we reported Friday, councils are already worried about Kainga Ora poaching staff and they're also warning the Crown agency would be able to bypass local interests.

Harry Lock reports.

Universities have asked the government to exempt nearly 7000 of their students from its ban on travel from mainland China.

The ban is aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19 and was extended over the weekend until next Monday.

The ban has stopped more than 11000 Chinese students flying here, including 6700 who are enrolled with universities.

Chris Whelan from Universities New Zealand told RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen the universities have asked government agencies to make an exception for their students.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

The White Ferns have been beaten by England by six wickets in their T20 World Cup warmup cricket match in Adelaide.

Covid-19: Life inside the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Universities have asked the government to exempt thousands of Chinese students from New Zealand's ban on international arrivals from mainland China, Jacinda Ardern on Chinese students banned from NZ, Elton John calls off Auckland concert early.

It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Central Dunedin businesses are up in arms about cars and buses being banned in the Octagon.

The city council is hailing the trial closure of the landmark as a success but retailers say it's left them out of pocket and unsure of their future if any ban becomes permanent.

RNZ Otago-Southland reporter Timothy Brown has more.

As farmers in many parts of the country struggle with dry conditions, those in areas such as Wairarapa are worried proposed new water regulations could force them to give up farming.

A panel is now considering 17,000 submissions on fresh water management proposals that include immediate plans to stop a further decline in water quality and longer term proposals to turn around years of neglect.

Philippa Tolley visited a farm east of Masterton to find out more.