Morning Report

Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling and bowler Neil Wagner have risen to career high positions in the latest ICC world Test cricket rankings.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

National's proposals to crack down on criminals are being dismissed as a leap back to 18th century ideas of punishment.

Critics say at risk groups will be further marginalised but advocates for victims are backing the proposals.

Political reporter Yvette McCullough has more.

International students are helping many Auckland schools make millions of dollars, much more than similar schools in other parts of the country.

Macleans College in Auckland reported the single highest income from fees last year more than $5.5 million.

The school's principal, Steven Hargreaves, told RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen, most of the money was from international students and it is essential.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

A weather forecaster is warning that areas east of the Southern Alps are tinder dry, much earlier than usual.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is keeping a close eye on parts of the country where the fire season looks set to arrive earlier than usual.

NIWA forecaster Ben Noll told RNZ's Nelson reporter Tracy Neal that recent hot, windy weather has placed parts of the country on red alert.

The Health Minister has given a warning to the Hepatitis Foundation after an investigation found evidence of gross mismanagement and extravagant spending.

The government provides $1.5 million to the charity each year to help people with the disease.

The Foundation's board chair spent more than 128-thousand on travel over two years and the foundation splashed out on credit card expenses and lavish dinners at top restaurants.

After a Charities Services inquiry, the Ministry of Health did its own audit and discovered the foundation had a surplus of $380,000  left over from its taxpayer funding which it had been putting into a property trust.

There was no requirement for the foundation to give the money back, but that policy has now been changed.

David Clark says the behaviour was unacceptable.

Mr Clark says it's up to the Health Ministry, which supervises the Foundation, to say whether the Board Chair should stay in the role.

He says he's not worried about the year long delay before the report was published.

In a statement provided to RNZ the Ministry of Health says it will be formally writing to the Hepatitis Foundation to both express directly its concern and disappointment.

Samoans living in New Zealand are rallying together to offer support for people back home as the number of confirmed measles cases continues to climb.

As of Wednesday morning death toll stands at 32 - most of the victims children are under the age of four.

West Auckland businesswomen Joyce Purcell has spent the past couple of weeks collecting donations to send to those in need.

She told RNZ reporter, Chen Liu, she's working with organisations over there to find out what they need.

The New Zealand Cricket CEO David White says an investigation into finding the spectator who shouted racial insults at England cricketer Jofra Archer may not find the culprit.