Midday Report for Wednesday 25 March 2020

12:45 PM.Some renters are becoming increasingly anxious about not being able to pay their rent as the lockdown looms.

The government announced yesterday that banks have agreed people hit in the pocket by… Read more Audio

12:42 PM.The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympics are being postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and may happen as late as August 2021.

This decision has felt somewhat inevitable, as countries… Read more Audio

12:35 PM.Rural doctors are concerned that people opting to spend the lockdown period in holiday baches will put further pressure on rural health care providers.

Maja Burry has the rural news. Read more Audio

12:28 PM.The New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith concedes older athletes might struggle to stay motivated and on top of their game for another year after the Tokyo Olympics was postponed… Read more Audio

12:25 PM.For the latest from the markets we're joined by Brad Gordon of Hobson Wealth Partners. Read more Audio

12:22 PM.Support for a universal basic income for all New Zealanders is rising as a way to counter the economic and financial impact of the Covid-19 virus.

But the chair of the Productivity Commission, Murray… Read more Audio

12:21 PM.Fletcher Building is the latest big company to batten down the financial hatches to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 virus.

Nona Pelletier reports. 
  Read more Audio

12:18 PM.As an essential service, New Zealand's truck drivers will be on the roads throughout the four week lockdown.

The chief executive of Road Transport Forum New Zealand, Nick Leggett, speaks to Māni… Read more Audio

12:15 PM.While the country is in lockdown and New Zealanders are in isolation, everyone will still be able to access essential services.

Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, but what else counts as… Read more Audio

12:12 PM.New Zealand will be put into a State of Emergency within the next few hours, when Parliament resumes briefly this afternoon.

Parliament will then close down, ahead of the country-wide lockdown which… Read more Audio

12:00 PM.The Transport Minister says every attempt will be made to ensure people who need to travel domestically for isolation purposes can do so, before the new Friday deadline.

Nicola Wright has the news.