Media monitoring

What’s on RNZ News at 8am – Nov 18

Landlords say they feel under siege with the government planning to make it tougher for them to boot out troublesome tenants; and skilled immigrants waiting for a residents visa say its unfair officials are fast tracking applications for those on salaries over $105,000.

1. Landlords say they feel under siege with the government planning to make it tougher for them to boot out troublesome tenants.Renters argue they should have the right to address complaints when facing something as disruptive as being removed from their home, and say good landlords have nothing to fear from the changes.

2.A fire that spread to 20 storage units at a building in East Tamaki in Auckland has been contained, firefighters say.The fire started just before 1am and quickly spred to the 65m by 15m storage unit building on Harris Road. About two-thirds of the building was alight by about 5.30am.

3.The Department of Health in American Samoa is discouraging any sports, church and school groups from travelling to Samoa until the measles epidemic there is under control. Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says this is a precautionary measure to help safeguard local residents from catching the measles virus.

4.Hong Kong police have threatened to use live bullets if "rioters" used lethal weapons and committed other acts of violence, after the latest flare-up in five months of anti-government protests in the Chinese-ruled city.

5.Demand for help from disabled people and their families has soared with thousands coming forward for the first time.The government is spending $24 million over two years on three new pilot programmes in Manawatū, Waikato and Christchurch to make disabled services more available from a younger age.

6.Skilled immigrants waiting for a residents visa say its unfair officials are fast tracking applications for those on salaries over $105,000. Ten thousand people are waiting for a decision but figures show approvals are 12,000 below the target of 60,000 new residents by the end of the year. 

7.Domestic violence services, conservation and education are all on the list for the royal tour.The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend a week travelling the country from Waitangi to Christchurch.It begins today with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mt Roskill War Memorial in Auckland which is customary for the royals.