Stories by Amy Williams
News
Kiwis stranded in Australia eager to return home as MIQ restrictions ease
Stuck for months in a motorhome in Queensland, Sue Norton and her husband now have a firm date for returning home.
Not everyone singing from same hymn sheet over vaccinations mandate
People working in sectors that require a vaccine pass must have their first inoculation by Friday week, including religious leaders, hospitality and retail workers. Audio
'Going a little bit stir crazy': Aucklanders expected to leave city in droves before Christmas
Travel will be allowed into and out of Tāmaki Makaurau when the boundary loosens on 15 December but tourism experts predict an exodus is coming.
Health authorities warn rural Māori population is most at risk as Covid-19 spreads
As Covid-19 spreads to the Rotorua, Taupō and Tararua communities, authorites warn rural Māori are most at risk of the virus.
Woman with Covid-19 gave birth to a premature baby who later died
A Covid-19 case reported yesterday gave birth prematurely at Rotorua Hospital and their baby later died.
Retail reopens in Auckland: Security guards on the doors as shoppers return
It's day one of alert level 3, step 2 for the city and retailers are flinging open their doors for an expected rush of pent-up demand, while many museums, zoos and libraries are gradually re-opening.
Aucklanders tired of lockdown: 'It's dragged on a lot'
It is day 83 of lockdown for Aucklanders, and many feel that rising case numbers will overshadow any reprieve in restrictions this week.
'Tricky': Churches grapple with Covid-19 vaccine certificates
Churches face a dilemma around whether vaccine certificates are needed when they welcome back physical congregations.
Trucking industry pushes back at idea of mandatory vaccines to cross regional borders
Trucking companies say a vaccine mandate at regional borders would be a problem because they are already struggling with a driver shortage and fragile supply chain. Audio
Principals to discuss next steps in reopening Auckland primary schools
A group of principals will meet online with government officials today to discuss what needs to happen for primary schools to reopen in Auckland next month.
Covid-19 restrictions: Auckland businesses suffer financially, mentally
Auckland's economic agency says its team is hearing stories of business closures and although more people are out and about they are not spending more.
Auckland hotel to allow only fully vaccinated guests
An Auckland inner city hotel and restaurant operator has decided it will take only guests who are fully vaccinated from November.
Parents should be honest about their lockdown home situation - psychologist
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to working from home during lockdown while parenting, says chartered organisational psychologist Frank O'Connor.
Covid-19: Picnics, BBQs and takeout on the menu for Auckland
With the green light for double-bubble outdoor gatherings, Aucklanders are getting ready to fire up their barbeques and pack picnic hampers for their first weekend meet-ups in a long time.
'There'll be a lot of weariness': School holidays in alert level 3
For many Auckland parents, school holidays will be more of the same - being at home with the kids. Psychologist Dr Melanie Woodfield has some tips.
Construction firm 'delighted' to be back at work in Auckland's level 3
The chief executive of one of the country's long-standing commercial construction firms is delighted staff and sub-contractors can return to the city's building sites today.
Covid-19 testing in Waikato: 'And now we wait'
A small Waikato community is waiting anxiously for hundreds of Covid-19 test results to come back today.
Covid-19: Weekly tests for essential workers crossing Auckland border come in tomorrow
Essential workers crossing Auckland's level 4 border will not have to show they have tested negative for Covid-19, only that they have had the test.
Auckland manufacturers allowed 'just a fraction' of workers needed - EMA
Building product manufacturers are gutted at the limit of 100 staff being approved to restart in Auckland's lockdown despite a national materials shortage putting home builders in limbo. Audio
Warehouses in Auckland 'completely full' with building materials
Auckland warehouses are overflowing with building materials that importers have been prohibited from distributing during lockdown despite severe shortages.
Building product manufacturers to be prioritised as factories restart
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will today spell out how some Auckland factories can restart under level 4 to help prevent a freeze on housing construction. Audio
Hope of fairer MIQ system, but booking pause puts people in limbo
A new virtual lottery is on its way for those seeking to book a stay in highly sought-after managed isolation, but it's on hold for now, deemed too risky during the Delta outbreak.
'I was happy that they were safe and that they were taken care of'
An Afghan man who expected his wife and toddler to join him in New Zealand this month has spoken about the relief he felt on learning they were safely evacuated from Kabul.
Church linked to Covid-19 attended by people across Auckland
The pastor of a church linked to the Delta variant outbreak says people come from all over Auckland to attend its Sunday services.
First home buyers to pay thousands more when deposit rules change
CoreLogic study shows that Auckland buyers will need to pay an extra $90,000 for deposit.