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Following his visit to New Zealand, the Chinese Premier has begun his visit to Australia. 

Li Qiang was greeted by hundreds of supporters and protestors upon his arrival in Canberra on Sunday, receiving a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House. 

Australian Correspondent Donna Demaio told Mike Hosking that there has been talks of better military communication, as well as extending the offering of visa-free travel to Australians. 

She said that Albanese says the bilateral relationship is back on track. 

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The Government's changed its tune on transgender people participating in community sports.  

A policy in the New Zealand First-National Coalition agreement threatened to withhold public funding if sports bodies didn't separate trans athletes from grassroots competitions.  

After feedback from Sport New Zealand, Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says the government will now take a watching brief.  

Save Women's Sport spokesperson Ro Edge told Mike Hosking that she thinks Bishop's been given inaccurate information.  

She says a letter she received from Bishop wrongly stated Sport NZ's guidelines have exemptions for fairness and safety in female sport. 

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The Government promises “granny flats” of 60 square metres or less will be easier to build after planning changes that will force councils to permit small dwellings on rural and residential zones without resource consent.

Making it easier to build granny flats was part of NZ First’s coalition agreement with National. NZ First leader Winston Peters, taking over as Acting Prime Minister while Christopher Luxon is in Japan, used Monday’s post-Cabinet press conference to announce consultation on changes that would fulfil that policy promise.

“Making it easier to build granny flats will make it more affordable for families to live the way that suits them best,” Peters said.

“Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing. High housing costs have a greater impact on Māori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities, as well as seniors - so unlocking the space in the backyards of family members opens the door to new ways of living.

“We know granny flats are a great option for seniors, but they’re also increasingly popular with other families such as those who want homes where their university-age children can live at home but maintain some privacy and independence, or families who want to provide extra support to a loved one,” he said.

Feedback's being sought on the proposed change.

Certified Builders Chief Executive Malcolm Fleming told Mike Hosking that it's good that proposed designs are required to meet the building code.  

But he says there's no checking to ensure designs and constructions adhere to the building code, which isn't such a good thing. 

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This weekend's Super Rugby semifinals have raised a few eyebrows over their smaller-than expected attendance numbers.

ZB sports reporter Andrew Alderson suspects this is because these Super Rugby matches had to compete with this weekend's Warriors' clash.

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The Princess of Wales has returned to the public eye for King's Birthday celebrations, making her first public appearance this year.

Kate faced wild internet speculation on her whereabouts earlier this year before revealing she's undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

She was pictured smiling, sitting alongside her three children in a carriage for the Trooping the Colour parade.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says the public were thrilled to see her back.

"She looked a little thin, a little drawn, but she did look, still, pretty amazing. And after all the chemo she's been in - perhaps that's no surprise at all." 

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One teachers' union is concerned abut the recommended changes to teaching standards in a new report.

The Ministerial Advisory Group reviewing English and maths learning has recommended annual 'checkpoint' tests for students.

It also recommends children be encouraged to write by hand as much as possible for their first three years at school - and cursive lessons in years four to six.

NZEI president Mark Potter says children in society are facing all sorts of issues, but how teachers teach isn't one.

"Things aren't going well for children in our society right now, but just focusing on what teachers do in the classroom all the time, especially by political groups and political figures, is not going to help children at all."

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