Midday Report for Wednesday 8 April 2020

12:45 PM.The Salvation Army is urgently urging people to stop dumping items outside their stores.

People have been dumping bags filled with clothing and household items outside stores across the country… Read more Audio

12:42 PM.Parts of Vanuatu have been devastated by Tropical Cyclone Harold, and there are now concerns as to whether aid will be able to reach the hardest-hit areas in a timely manner.

New Zealand-based aid… Read more Audio

12:35 PM.A lift in dairy prices at the global auction overnight is being seen as a positive indicator of the sector's ability to weather the Covid-19 storm, although analysts warn there is still plenty of… Read more Audio

12:28 PM.The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland is touting a one-off match against the All Blacks to boost revenue after the Covid-19 crisis.

Clay Wilson has the sports news. Read more Audio

12:20 PM.A $1.5 billion takeover offer for the retirement village operator Metlifecare, has fallen over.

Andrew McRae has the business news. Read more Audio

12:17 PM.The government will announce an education package for distance learning for schools this afternoon.

Schools are still on holiday but teachers and principles have been working tirelessly to prepare… Read more Audio

12:15 PM.The number of Māori and Pacific people being tested for Covid-19 is set to rise in Auckland with the opening of two new community testing centres.

Two new testing clinics have been set up in Otara… Read more Audio

12:11 PM.The Epidemic Response Committee has been told the Government needs to urgently introduce measures to boost small businesses' cash-flow.

Businesses have highlighted the lack of cash-flow under Alert… Read more Audio

12:00 PM.The next few days have been described as key to determining whether the country can come out of lockdown in two weeks.The lockdown could force thousands of businesses to close.

Nicola Wright has the… Read more Audio