Morning Report

Housing advocates are crying foul over a government plan to place sensors in up to 2000 state houses, that could track when tenants use power, turn their lights on and off, and how many people they have living in the house.

The Smart Homes project, run by the state housing agency Kainga Ora, aims to monitor how state housing tenants use their homes, and what the barriers might be to keeping them warm and dry.

The charity Whare Hauora, which makes similar sensors for whanau to use in their own homes, says that's a laudable goal - but it believes the project is unnecessarily invasive and could even result in tenants having their benefits cut or evicted from their homes.

Whare Hauora wants Kainga Ora to re-design the project, and also leave ownership of the data in tenants' hands.

Hiria Te Rangi is the charity's kaiwhakahaere.

The National Party would drop the government's Regional Fuel Tax if it were to get into government.

It's released it's discussion document on Transport and Infrastructure, which suggests dropping the tax and not raising fuel exise for its first term.

Minister for Transport Phil Twyford was one of the architects of the regional fuel tax.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

The Auckland Regional Fuel Tax is for the chopping block under plans announced by the National Party.

The Opposition has released its Transport and Infrastructure discussion document.

Under the proposals, a National government would not increase fuel taxes in its first term and the Auckland regional fuel tax would go. Chris Bishop is National's transport spokesman.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Building plans signed off by the Christchurch City Council show one of its own structural engineers was involved in the design of a new multistorey building that is unstable.

The eight-storey office building at 230 High Street is off-limits as it is too weak and might 'rupture' in an earthquake.

But the council insists the planning documents are wrong and its engineer had only a minor role.

Phil Pennington reports.

The former Hurricanes midfielder Jason O'Halloran is leaving his coaching position in Scotland and is expected to move back down under.

A former spokesperson for Māori King Tūheitia, Tukoroirangi Morgan, says funding for the king's office from Waikato-Tainui should be restricted to prevent fraud.

In Auckland District Court yesterday, the former private secretary to the king, Te Rangihiroa Whakaruru, pleaded guilty to five charges of obtaining by deception, and one charge of supplying false or misleading information.

One of the charges of deception was $27,650 for gastric bypass surgery that Mr Whakaruru paid for by including in an invoice for the king's own legitimate health costs.

Tukoroirangi Morgan speaks to Susie Ferguson.

WorkSafe may find itself under investigation if it's determined the current inquiries into the Whakaari/White Island eruption can't adequately answer all the questions raised.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is seeking advice from officials on whether the Worksafe and Coronial investigations leave any gaps.

While Worksafe will be looking into whether tour operators complied with the law, the eruption has raised wider questions about whether the regulatory regime was robust enough.

Corin Dann speaks to Minister of Finance Grant Robertson, who is standing in for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today in her Tuesday morning slot.

Pharmac knew for more than two weeks that three deaths had been linked to its epilepsy drug brand switch but didn't tell patients or the public.

The drug buying agency continued with the brand switch after being told on 29 October that three deaths had been reported over suspicions they were linked to the change.

Emails released under the Official Information Act also show the Pharmac board alerted Minister of Health David Clark to the deaths on 29 October, under the 'no surprises' policy, but he too said nothing publicly.

The medicines safety watchdog Medsafe also knew but only issued a safety notice on 12 November and it wasn't until 15 November that Pharmac backed down on the brand switch.

The Minster of Health told RNZ: "Any sudden death is a tragedy and my sympathies are with the family and friends. "These deaths are being investigated by the Coroner, and in the meantime PHARMAC has made changes to the way the brand change is being managed.

"There are clear and long-standing procedures for handling reports of possible harm caused by adverse reactions to medicines. It is not for Ministers to manage those processes, which are rightly a matter for clinical experts.

"That includes when, and how, these matters are made public."

Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner has the story.

Searchers have so far been unable to find the two bodies still missing after the eruption on Whakaari/White Island.

The police national dive squad have searched the water around the island with no success.

Whakatāne man Phil van Dusschoten has taken part in marine search and rescue operations in the past, and is owner operator of the Diveworks fishing charter service, which regularly operates in the waters around White Island and Whale Island.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Police divers were not sure if they would be back in the waters off Whakaari/White Island on Tuesday looking for two bodies still missing after the deadly eruption last week.

The police national dive squad have searched the water around the Bay of Plenty island with no success.

On Morning Report on Monday, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the navy and police were planning another attempt Tuesday. Aerial searches for the missing have continued.

The explosion on the island killed at least 16 people. Another 26 are in hospital in New Zealand and Australia, 10 in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is seeking official advice on whether a further inquiry into the eruption is necessary - on top of the current WorkSafe and coronial investigations.

WorkSafe's chief operating officer Phil Parkes speaks to Susie Ferguson.