RNZ: Morning Report

We cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Thousands of people have been enjoying half price public transport since the government slashed fares last month in response to the rising cost of petrol. It's only supposed to last until the end of June although Ministers have hinted it could become a permanent saving. That's good for some but for many in small town New Zealand, there is still no access to public transport at all. Nelson reporter Samantha Gee has more.

Wellington residents and business owners who have to pay to use their own garages are furious at the city council's proposal to double their fees. The council says encroachment fees - for the use of road reserve under carpads, carports, cablecars and other structures - have not gone up in a decade. Ruth Hill reports.

World Rugby has overnight confirmed the venue of its World Cup tournaments for the next decade - with Australia and the United States emerging as the big winners. England will stage the women's Rugby World Cup in 2025 before Australia play host to the men's event in 2027 and the women's in 2029. History will be made when the US then stages World Cup tournaments for the first time, in both 2031 and 2033. For Australia, it adds to a bumper decade of major sporting events. Sydney-based rugby writer Christy Doran spoke to Susie Ferguson.

A student engineer who posed as a structural expert for years, signing off on 30 earthquake assessments on buildings, even though she did not even have a degree, has been censured by Engineering New Zealand. The industry disciplinary committee says Prajna Singh's deceit was "alarming". Her deceit included using a chartered professional engineer's registration number without their knowledge and two unidentified firms she worked for since 2015 in Auckland believed she was qualified. She has already been convicted in court on 38 dishonesty charges. Engineering New Zealand chief executive Richard Templer spoke to Corin Dann.

The Wellington Phoenix have overcome the odds to be in the final six of the A-League football competition. They face Western United in an elimination final in Melbourne on Saturday night. Win and they will be back in Wellington on Wednesday for a semi-final - but if they lose, another tough season spent almost entirely in Australia is over. One player who has ridden the wave of ups and downs this season is injury-plagued midfielder Clayton Lewis. The 25-year-old says he's ready to play 90 minutes on Saturday and he knows what the plan is.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

New research shows the anchors of large ships are damaging the seabed at busy ports, which could threaten some marine species. Researchers from NIWA, Auckland University and Auckland University of Technology have used sonars and ship-tracking data to document the effects of anchoring outside Picton. They say it's revealed an extensive and persistent impact. NIWA marine geophysicist Dr Sally Watson spoke to Corin Dann.

There's a growing call for mental health support to be written into government construction contracts to protect workers who hit the wall. Construction has the highest rate of death by suicide of any industry in the country, with workers around twice as likely to take their own lives than to be killed in a workplace accident. On average the industry loses one worker each week to self-inflicted death. Construction firm Naylor Love chief executive Rick Herd spoke to Corin Dann.

Canterbury District Health Board is still grappling with high numbers of Omicron cases weeks after it thought it would be over the worst. It had expected numbers to be in single digits by now - instead there are more than 1300 cases in the community and 71 Covid-19 patients in the region's hospitals - both figures second only to Auckland. About 200 staff have been off sick with the virus over the last three weeks but it's still planning to start bringing back more elective surgery from Tuesday. Niva Chittock reports.

The lawyer of a woman, whose fake bomb threats caused eight graduation ceremonies to be called off, says his client deserves permanent name supression. The former Otago University student has been sentenced to five months community detention and nine months supervision. Her interim name supression will lapse later this month. Lawyer John Munro spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum says its a huge honour to be coaching one of the biggest cricketing nations in the world.

Oranga Tamariki's mishandling of a case of a boy alleging abuse has revealed widespread shortcomings in its use of one of the most important child safety tools. Reviews showing up problems with the Child Protection Protocol have come to light through RNZ inquiries. The agency says it is making improvements. The man accused says because the investigation was mishandled, it was inconclusive, which was unsafe for the boy, and for the whānau. Phil Pennington is looking into this.

A Covid-19 modeller says hospitals and primary care face a busy winter if cases of Covid-19 and flu both climb in the coming months. Canterbury University Professor Michael Plank said a second wave of Covid-19 is likely, and it could very well coincide with burgeoning flu numbers. He spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Rest homes have joined the avalanche of disapproval over the Government's decision to leave immigrant nurses off the new fast-tracked pathway to residence. Unlike doctors they have to work here for two years before applying. The Health and Immigration Ministers both say the move is to help the aged care sector retain staff who are more likely to leave for better paying jobs once they get residence. But some rest homes have told RNZ that's not what they want or asked for. Rosie Gordon reports.

England cricket has announced former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum has the top job as their new test coach. The news was confirmed overnight, with Brendon McCullum saying he's acutely aware of the significant challenges facing the team, but he is confident in his ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force. Even though he has no international coaching experience he's being asked to revive a struggling England team that's won just one of their past 17 tests. BBC sports journalist Henry Moeran spoke to Corin Dann.

A team of international scientists overnight announced a "groundbreaking" discovery about our galaxy. For the first time, the Event Horizon Telescope has captured images of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole in the middle of the Milky Way. University of Auckland head of physics associate professor Jan Eldridge spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Kids who live near Christchurch's burnt-out wastewater treatment plant are hiding in their bedrooms when the revolting smell is too much to bear. Council contractors are about to start removing the rot from inside the plant's filters in a process that will take months, but parents and teachers are worried about their children's health and the worsening stench over winter. Jean Edwards reports.

An Auckland couple want mental health support written into government construction contracts to protect workers who hit the wall. Construction has the highest rate of death by suicide of any industry in the country, with workers around twice as likely to take their own lives than to be killed in a workplace accident. On average the industry loses one worker each week to self-inflicted death. Lydia Lewis has the story. In a written statement, the Government-funded Construction Sector Accord said mental health and suicide in the industry is a serious concern and it supports the government taking action to help. The Mates in Construction programme urges those in need of help to call its 24-seven help line - 0800 111 315.

Finland is preparing to join NATO in response to the war in Ukraine - a move which would've been unthinkable just a few months ago. A statement from Finland's leaders say it must apply for NATO membership - without delay - and calls for rapid action within the next few days. Sweden is likely to take the same step. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Finland would be "warmly welcomed" into the alliance. Brussels correspondent Rosie Birchard spoke to Corin Dann.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Food prices continue to rise but there's some good news for consumers. Vegetable supplies throughout winter are expected to be good and the prices stable. That's the prediction from Vegetables New Zealand chair John Murphy, who's a Blenheim-based grower of garlic and shallots. He's also got a tip for shoppers - go for the specials and when there's good value, and be prepared to substitute. Murphy spoke to Corin Dann.

International students will be welcomed back in August as part of the full border reopening, bringing back a major revenue source for the education sector. Macleans College has previously taken in more than 300 international students from 20 countries. Principal Steven Hargreaves spoke to Susie Ferguson.

A brief update from the RNZ sports team.

News from the rural and farming sector.

A brief update from the business sector.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association is relieved vets are on the government's immigration Green List, giving them a fast-tracked pathway to residence. Chief executive Kevin Bryan said the help was urgently required to tackle a workforce shortage across Aotearoa and improve the welfare of our animals. He spoke to Corin Dann.

Bold move or an absolute gamble? England cricket has announced former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum as their new test coach. The news was confirmed overnight on Twitter, with Brendon McCullum saying he's acutely aware of the significant challenges facing the team, but he believes they will emerge a stronger force. Even though the cricketing great has no international coaching experience former team mates are backing him. Former Black Cap Grant Elliott, who played under McCullum, says his transformation of New Zealand Cricket will easily translate to the England environment. Elliott told sports reporter Felicity Reid, McCullum brings the right attributes for a struggling England team that's won just one of their past 17 tests.

The government's being urged to include clauses in all its construction contracts to make sure workers have mental health support. The building industry has some of the worst suicide rates of any industry. Mates in Construction is an anti suicide service. Auckland woman Lisa's family used it during the lockdown because her husband's firm had signed up for it. She told reporter Lydia Lewis he was already under pressure as a project manager at a hospital site, and then their teenage son started to have suicidal thoughts.

In a significant blow to Russia, Finland says it will join NATO, A plea for help to reduce the suicide toll in the construction industry, And Kids are hiding in their rooms to avoid the revolting smell of Christchurch's burnt-out wastewater treatment plant   

Whanganui's Bushy Park Tarapuruhi sanctuary is home once again to a flock of long-lost residents, 52 native pōpokotea whiteheads.   Sanctuary Manager Mandy Brooke spoke to Susie Ferguson.  

Community groups are on tenter-hooks awaiting a decision from the Hamilton City Council on the future of Founders Theatre. The building was closed in 2016 due to earthquake safety concerns. Two-weeks ago a council committee voted in favour of demolishing the 60-year old building and that decision goes to the full council today. It will either ratify it, or give a proposal to save the building more time to raise money.  Andrew McRae reports.

Four quite different books all received top prizes in the Ockham Book Awards in Auckland last night. They included a meaty history about the New Zealand Wars; a book on fashion in Aotearoa from 1840 to 1910; and poetry evoking Vikings, astronauts and angels. Fiction won the day, in the form of a book called Kurangaituku, by Wellington novelist and playright Whiti Hereaka. New Zealand Book Awards Trust member Paula Morris spoke to Susie Ferguson.

The superyacht industry says it is aiming to get 60 boats of over 30 metres in length into Aotearoa during 2022 and 2023. NZ Marine says it estimates each visit should see around three million dollars spent on boat maintenance and high end tourism. Chief Executive Peter Busfield spoke to Corin Dann.

The upmarket David Jones apartment store in Lambton Quay, Wellington, will close its doors in a little over a month's time. The store replaced the former iconic, Kirkcaldie and Stains department store, on the central city site almost six years ago. While it began with a bang, foot traffic in the area has dropped off, and the firm says it's no longer sustainable. The firm's regional manager for New Zealand Jason James spoke to Corin Dann.

Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum has emerged as the favourite to become England's test cricket coach, according to UK media reports. Cricket commentator Bryan Waddle spoke to Susie Ferguson.

A brief update of movements in the financial sector.

Two brothers who've spent years couch-surfing and living rough have finally found somewhere to live in Auckland. 'Chris' - not his real name - says he hasn't had a proper home for most of his teenage life. He and his 14-year-old brother have recently moved into a unit run by the Lifewise Youth Housing Service. It's a service for under-24s living in seven communal residences across the city where support workers help young people foster independence. 'Chris' - who's 18 - told our reporter Rayssa Almeida about his life.

New speed limits are coming for routes between Christchurch and Akaroa. Waka Kotahi is also introducing other measures to improve road safety in the area. Director of regional relationships James Caygill spoke to Corin Dann.

New Zealand's border will fully reopen from 31 July, bringing a new wave of tourists and migrant workers to our shores. Tourism Industry Association spokesperson Ann-Marie Johnson, New Zealand Cruise Association chair Debbie Summers, and Amalgamated Workers Union secretary Calvin Fisher spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum is set to take on his old team next month after being selected as the new England test coach.

A Wellington novelist and playwright - Whiti Hereaka -  has won Aotearoa's richest writing prize. The Jann Medlicott Acorn prize, worth 60,000 dollars, was awarded at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards in Auckland on Wednesday night. Her novel Kurangaituku was described as extraordinary, unashamedly literary, and utterly innovative. Hereaka spoke to Morning Report.  

Parents across the United States are desperate to find baby formula - supply disruptions have left shelves bare. Months of shortages have been exacerbated by a recall at Abbott, which was forced to close its largest US formula manufacturing plant in February due to contamination concerns. It follows a separate warning from Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky that Russia's blockade of its ports will affect the supply of food worldwide. Washington correspondent Simon Marks spoke to Morning Report.

New research published today shows that children and teenagers in Pacific communities have been affected more than most by Covid-19. The Education Review Office, says most Pacifika students live in Auckland, where schools were closed for longer than elsewhere and they also had to cope with poor access to devices.  ERO chief executive Nick Pole spoke to Corin Dann.  

Breaking old habits is hard, especially if it involves giving up sugar. But what if you're reaching out for the late afternoons lollies because you simply have no control over your cravings? That is exactly what University of Auckland addiction specialist Dr Simone Rodda is researching -- is being hooked on sugar a lifestyle choice or an addiction? She spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Many principals are hoping the government will use this month's Budget to scrap the decile system and introduce the equity index, which has been promised as a replacement for several years. They believe their schools are being under funded because their decile ratings are hopelessly out of date. Decile numbers are used to allocate more than $150million a year to schools and are based on 2013 census information. Here's education correspondent John Gerritsen.

An Auckland teenager who has been living on the streets with his 14-year-old brother says they were always on the move - trying to find somewhere safe to sleep. The pair now have an address - thanks to a social housing provider. But there's a critical lack of support for thousands of homeless young people. Some names have been changed in Rayssa Almeida's story.

New Zealand's borders are opening earlier than expected, July 31 rather than the original planned date in October. Questions remain about whether Immigration New Zealand will be able to make the visa processing improvements that are being promised. Immigration New Zealand head Alison McDonald spoke to Susie Ferguson.

A new immigration Green List to help solve the country's skilled worker crisis has outraged nurses who say it won't help hospitals fix their chronic shortage of frontline staff. The border will be fully opened from the end of July - two months earlier than planned. There's also a plan to help migrants get residence sooner and while doctors and engineers are on a fast-track list, others like nurses, will have to wait two years. Rosie Gordon reports.

It's a supermarket turf war as both chains make changes to prices as the cost of living crisis continues. Supermarket operator Foodstuffs is cutting the price of 110 of the most purchased grocery items by an average of 10 percent Countdown has frozen the price of 600 items. So, which is the better deal? Lincoln University Agribusiness Professor Hamish Gow spoke to Corin Dann.

News from the business sector, including a market report.