Morning Report for Tuesday 6 April 2021

8:55 AM.A masters surfing competition in Taranaki was forced to introduce a new age-group category over the long weekend - for its first contestant aged over 80.

Adrian Pickering of Whangaparaoa busted out… Read more Audio

6:00 AM.The Prime Minister says New Zealanders travelling to Australia must be prepared to stay put across the Tasman if there's a Covid-19 outbreak there.

Jacinda Ardern is expected to announce the start… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Read more Audio

6:38 AM.Tourism and travel businesses are predicting the return of international visitors will mean higher prices and a competitive rush to secure staff.

The government's Trans-Tasman travel bubble… Read more Audio

6:45 AM.There are signs that golfer Lydia Ko is back near her world-beating best form.

The former all-conquering world No.1 yesterday shot a majestic course-record round of 10-under in her final round of the… Read more Audio

6:50 AM.Timaru reached temperatures hotter than Rarotonga over the Easter weekend, topping the April weather records at 30.6C on Sunday.

Unseasonably hot and dry weather was felt by much of the South Island… Read more Audio

7:09 AM.Investigators are looking into claims highly toxic waste has been buried in unmapped sites at Tiwai Point's aluminium smelter.

This includes spent cell liner waste that contains cyanide and toxic… Read more Audio

7:13 AM.The Government will today announce when the country will begin a long anticipated trans-Tasman bubble with Australia.

Among those on the edge of their seat is the Tourism Industry, who want a bubble… Read more Audio

7:18 AM.The Prime Minister is set to announce a date for a trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and New Zealand. It will be a relief for those clamouring to cross the ditch, but comes with a warning… Read more Audio

7:26 AM.The high Easter road toll comes as no surprise to the New Zealand Automobile Association, which says the country has been a dangerous place to drive for at least the last seven years.

The holiday… Read more Audio

7:31 AM.RNZ is tracking the first official journey for the new commuter train service between Hamilton and Auckland.

Reporter Gill Bonnett is on board.

She spoke to Corin Dann. Read more Audio

7:40 AM.Retail New Zealand says it's "archaic" for councils in our major cities to block Easter Sunday shopping.

The retail advocate group says more than two-thirds of councils around the country allowed… Read more Audio

7:48 AM.A legal firm is hoping people will come forward to legally challenge ACC's changes to its cover of serious injuries suffered during childbirth.

RNZ reported last week that midwives have called on ACC… Read more Audio

7:55 AM.Political pundits and media experts are warning that artificial grassroots organisations - nicknamed "astroturfs" - are being used to manipulate public opinion.

A recent apology by one lobbyist for… Read more Audio

8:06 AM.New Zealand's Grant Waite says helping Patty Tavatanakit win golf's first major of the year is the highlight of his coaching career, but he was also pleased to see Lydia Ko finish second. Read more Audio

8:10 AM.A Government that looks virtually powerless to enforce a cleanup of mass contamination at Tiwai Point is now considering law changes.

The Environment Ministry is not sure it can hold the smelter… Read more Audio

8:17 AM.Visiting family and friends across the Tasman is front of mind for some New Zealanders hoping for good news this afternoon.

The Prime Minister is expected to reveal the date for when quarantine-free… Read more Audio

8:19 AM.It's not only New Zealanders waiting for news of a trans-tasman bubble today.

Australia's border has been mostly open to New Zealanders since October 2020 and our neighbours across the ditch are… Read more Audio

8:26 AM.After months of closure the UK Government has announced its roadmap for a staggered re-opening of the economy Prime Minister Boris Johnson said shops and pubs are to reopen in England from 12 April.

… Read more Audio

8:29 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Read more Audio

8:30 AM.Good news this morning for those with a credit with Air NZ after a Covid-19-forced cancellation - but are no longer able to travel.

The airline has set up a dedicated team for "compassionate… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.Auckland's Britomart Station will reopen part of the building closed for four years due to City Rail Link construction today.

Mana whenua blessed the reopening of the Chief Post Office building this… Read more Audio

8:45 AM.There are signs at last that Lydia Ko is returning to her world-beating best form.

Unrivalled as golf's No.1 woman player through the mid-2000s, New Zealander Ko has since dropped outside the top 20… Read more Audio

8:52 AM.Secondary schools are hoping the pandemic won't stop teenagers from signing up for sports teams this winter.

Last year, participation in secondary school sport hit a record low of just 48 percent.

… Read more Audio