Morning Report

The trucking industry says the Government has been dragging its heels on infrastructure investment and it hopes new government spending doesn't skimp on roading projects.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson tagged $6.8 billion for new transport projects on Wednesday, but none of the details will be made public until next year.

Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says the investment is good news but he'd like details sooner rather than later.

He told political reporter Jo Moir that roads are the most timely way to move the majority of freight and any investment needs to reflect that.

Whakatane locals are banding together to support each other in the aftermath of Monday's eruption on Whakaari/White Island.

People are still visiting the cordon of the waterfront to place flowers and messages on the fence.

RNZ reporter Sarah Robson was there on Wednesday afternoon and spoke to local women Annabel and Robyn about the impact of the disaster on the community.

The new All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says the team needs to adapt and he has to make his own mark on the environment if they're to reclaim their status as World Champions.

Families' frustration grows at delays to recover bodies from Whakaari White Island. The Police Minister warns relatives NOT to attempt their own recovery operation. Australia prepares to bring some of its injured home. The government's surplus evaporates... as it promises a debt-funded infrastructure programme.

The announcement that $9.6 million of provincial growth fund money will be spent sealing the last few kilometres of metal road on State Highway 43 in Taranaki is being met with a degree of scepticism.

Some residents say it will ruin a unique experience and the money would be better spent repairing the existing road while others say it's a game changer.

RNZ Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin takes a spin down the Forgotten World Highway.

An Auckland bus has been blocked from driving down Dominion Road on Wednesday morning by locked out bus drivers.

Drivers working for NZ Bus are asking for more pay and better working conditions.

RNZ reporter Alex Ashton was on the bus.

Britain will head to the polls to vote in a general election called by the country's Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday morning.

He's called the election in an attempt to win more seats for his conservative party - so they can get his Brexit deal over the line - a deal which the opposition refuses to approve.

Tim Bale is Professor of Politics at the Queen Mary University of London and has taught politics at Victoria University.

He speaks to Kim Hill.

The country's spy agencies should playing a greater role in warning political parties about foreign interference in elections.

It's a key recommendation from the Justice Select Committee that's finally published its long delayed report from its inquiry into the 2017 General and 2016 Local Elections.

It wants to prevent what it is calling a very real risk of foreign interference in future elections.

But as Charlie Dreaver reports any change is unlikely to happen soon.

The country's spy agencies should playing a greater role in warning political parties about foreign interference in elections. It's a key recommendation from the Justice Select Committee that's finally published its long delayed report from its inquiry into the 2017 General and 2016 Local Elections. It wants to prevent what it is calling a very real risk of foreign interference in future elections. But as Charlie Dreaver reports any change is unlikely to happen soon.

A brief update on the movements in the financial sector.