Morning Report

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

The waka hourua community is ecstatic following a $1.7 million funding boost to strengthen matauranga or knowledge in traditional celestial navigation.

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister at Waitangi.

The doubled hulled canoes carried many Maori across the Pacific to the shores of Aotearoa more than seven centuries ago.

One of the country's most renowned waka navigators, Jack Thatcher, told RNZ reporter Te Aniwa Hurihanganui the funding boost is going to allow even more people to learn about this important part of our country's heritage.

Authorities in China say a newborn baby has tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus. The baby was born on 2 February in Wuhan and its mother tested positive before she gave birth. Also in China, the doctor who tried to issue the first warnings about the deadly coronavirus outbreak has died of the infection, according to Chinese media. Li Wenliang was working as an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital when he sent out a warning to fellow medics on 30 December. Police then visited him to tell him to stop, as authorities tried to keep the news under wraps.

New Zealand has lost its under-19 Cricket World Cup semi final against Bangladesh in South Africa by six wickets.

Mataura residents face a massive clean up as they return to their flood-damaged homes. The Chinese doctor who tried to issue the first warnings about the deadly coronavirus outbreak dies of the infection. Thousands remain quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and another cruise ship is in lockdown in Hong Kong.

What will Aotearoa look like on the 200th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 20 years?

RNZ Youth Affairs reporter Katie Doyle spoke to a group of young leaders about their vision for the future and Te Tiriti's place in it.

A five-month long Police and Customs investigation has ended with the jailing of four foreign nationals and the dismantling of a trans-national crime syndicate.

The men were arrested in Tauranga in late 2017 for being part of a sophisticated smuggling ring trafficking cocaine with a street value of $20 million.

They were found guilty of participating in an organised criminal group, importing cocaine and money laundering.

RNZ reporter, Andrew McRae was at their sentencing in the High Court in Rotorua.

Gore and Mataura have been evacuated as the Mataura River peaks, while the nearby town of Wyndham is also on notice to evacuate as the water draws nearer.

The Mautara River peaked in Gore around 8:30am, and is expected to peak in the town of Mataura around 10:30am.

People in Gore and Mataura have been warned they need to leave as quickly if possible - if they're even still there.

Southland's Emergency Management chair Neville Cook speaks to Corin Dann.

Tomorrow the country commemorates 180 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Each year, February 6 is an opportunity to pause, and take stock of where we stand and how far we have to go.

That was part of Jacinda Ardern's speech from the mahau yesterday.

So where do we stand, how far do we have to go and who is in charge of setting that course?

Shannon Haunui-Thompson and Julian Wilcox will be hosting RNZ's four-hour special from the Treaty Ground on Waitangi Day from 8am until midday.

They were on the marae yesterday for the politicans' speeches, and spoke to Susie Ferguson on Thursday.