Morning Report

A Whangarei sawmill is facing closure which could mean the loss of more than a hundred jobs.

Carter Holt Harvey notified its 111 full time staff yesterday about the potential closure of the site, due to log shortages in Northland.

Corin Dann spoke to Whanagarei mayor Sheryl Mai.

The World Health Organisation has announced the coronavirus outbreak does not yet merit an international public health emergency.

Five cities in China have been put in lockdown in a bid to control the spread of the respiratory coronavirus, which has killed eighteen people and infected almost 650.

Cases have also been reported in Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States.

David Clark is the Minister of Health.

He speaks to Philippa Tolley.

On the eve of the tour by India, the New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson made the extraordinary offer of stepping aside from the leadership role.

This weekend marks a busy start to the new year for both the Black Caps and the White Ferns.

The men play five T20's, three ODI's and two Tests against India, while the women play a series against South Africa ahead of next month's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Speaking yesterday Williamson brushed aside concerns about his leadership in the Test series loss in Australia, however as our cricket reporter Clay Wilson suggests, the job doesn't get any easier against the Indians

New Zealand is set to swelter this weekend with parts of the country forecast temperatures in the mid 30s.

Canterbury and Southland are due to for the best of it on Friday and Saturday as well as the East Coast of the North Island.

But as usual it's the capital that misses out.

Maria Augutis is a weather forecaster for NIWA and joins us now speaks to Philippa Tolley.

Three American firefighters have been killed in a water tanker plane crash while battling wildfires in Australia.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules went down while fighting a bushfire in the Snowy Monaro area.

Fires are still raging in several states, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT.

Canberra airport has been reduced to near closure, with arrivals and departures grounded as bushfires burn nearby.

Philippa Tolley speaks to Fiona Willan from Channel 9 Australia.

Royalty, politicans, business leaders, thinkers and celebrities have gathered in Davos in the Swiss mountains for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Prince Charles, who has long advocated for environmental responsibility, warned those attending that only a revolution in the way the global economy and financial markets work can save the planet from the climate crisis and secure future prosperity.

New Zealand's Trade Minister David Parker is at Davos and speaks to Corin Dann.

Politicians will arrive at Ratana Pā near Whanganui tomorrow to celebrate the birthday of T W Ratana, the faith leader and prophet.

The annual pilgrimage signals the start of the political year, one that this time around ends with an election.

It won't be smooth sailing for the government, despite Labour's historic relationship with the Ratana Haahi. There are disputes over Ihumātao and Whānau Ora and disappointment with the government's slow progress on election promises around housing and improvements to the welfare state.

Leigh-Marama McLachlan is at Ratana Pā.

She speaks to Philippa Tolley.

The number of work-related deaths reported has shot up.

Figures combined for the first time show that many more people are being killed than the public previously thought.

They also reveal the most dangerous industry is not among those that the Government's safety agency has focused on.

Phil Pennington reports.

Aucklanders still don't know what caused yesterday's intermittent power cuts that has left businesses in the CBD out of pocket.

Lines company Vector is investigating the lunchtime blackout which struck the central city and large parts of Parnell and Grafton.

Mackenzie Smith reports.

East Coast police say they're concerned at the number of weapons they're finding while investigating gang-related shootings in Ruatoria and Taradale last weekend.

Several people have been arrested over the past two days as part of the crackdown.

Two men in Ruatoria and Gisborne, aged 26 and 29, have been arrested and charged with the commission of a crime involving a firearm, and for threatening acts.

And a 31-year-old man was arrested in Havelock North charged with methamphetamine possession and possession of an offensive weapon.

A further two men were arrested in Flaxmere, one of whom had a large knife and the other a small axe.

Corin Dann spoke to Eastern District Commander Superintendent Tania Kura who said a lot of weapons had been turning up in police searches.