Australia
Trans-Tasman bubble deflating but not popped yet, govt says
The trans-Tasman bubble is deflating, but the government says it's not going to pop - for now at least.
The are now three Australian states with a travel pause in place, with the announcement… Audio
Bishops and UNHCR plea with Australia on refugees' behalf
The Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea, along with the United Nations, is urging the Australian government to allow asylum seekers into the country to settle.
NSW records highest number of Covid-19 cases for 2021
New South Wales has recorded its highest number of community Covid-19 cases this year as Sydneysiders endure a third week of lockdown.
A growing number of infected people are in intensive care and… Audio
Moana Pasifika Super Rugby licence confirmed
Moana Pasifika has been granted an unconditional licence to join an expanded Super Rugby competition next year.
Kerry-Anne Walsh with news from Australia
It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio
Covid-19: NSW reports spike in cases
There's been a spike in cases of Covid-19 in Australia's New South Wales - the biggest daily rise in locally acquired cases of the virus this year.
Sydney is in its second week of a lockdown, and… Audio
New South Wales extends lockdown by a week
NSW has recorded 27 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.
NSW Covid-19 lockdown reportedly set to be extended by a week
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to announce today an extension of the state's Covid-19 lockdown orders as well as new restrictions for schools returning from holidays.
'It really stresses me out': NSW Premier's worry over lockdown decision
NSW has seen some "pleasing" signs the lockdown is working, but authorities say the lifting of the stay-at-home order will depend on how well residents can stick to the rules.
'Asia's El Chapo' set to be extradited to Australia
An alleged drug lord operating across Asia who has been compared to the notorious Mexican kingpin El Chapo is set to be handed over by the Netherlands to Australia.
New border restrictions announced for Australia
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced new restrictions that will halve the number of people allowed to cross the Australia border. Audio
Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst
Annika Smethurst joins Kathryn for the latest on the Covid outbreak across Australia which has sent parts of four states into lockdown, efforts by Scott Morrison's government to make the AstraZeneca… Audio
Pacific briefs for June 29th
Nine more covid infections in French Polynesia; Australian refugees into 12th day of hunger strike; Wallisian group in New Caledonia ready to opt for independence; CNMI set for South Korea travel…
Parts of Queensland enters three-day Covid-19 lockdown
Parts of Queensland will go into a three-day snap lockdown starting tonight after two new local cases have been detected.
The lockdown comes in the first week of school holidays there but the Premier… Audio
EMA boss urges Covid-19 vaccination rollout boost
Employers and Manufacturers Association boss Brett O'Riley is calling for some Covid-19 vaccination prioritisation for exporters in NZ.
"Not to the front of the queue, but … the vaccination… Video, Audio
Govt considers more QR scanning, mask wearing rules
Compulsory QR scanning and more mask wearing could be on the cards as Cabinet weighs up its options.
The government has been under pressure to make more Covid-19 measures mandatory, after an… Audio
Calls to ramp up vaccinations on both sides of Tasman
A call for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to ramp up on both sides of the ditch if the trans-Tasman bubble is to stay afloat.
All quarantine free travel from Australia is on pause until at least… Video, Audio
Australia may be on verge of national Covid-19 outbreak
Australia could be on the verge of a national outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta variant. Four states and territories have reported new cases and have imposed lockdowns or tighter restrictions.
… Audio
School holiday lifeblood cut off with AUS-NZ travel bubble pause
The start of the Australian school holidays was meant to be a lifeline for Queenstown's beleaguered businesses, instead that lifeblood has been cut off.
The government has closed the trans-Tasman… Video, Audio
Solomons and Aust extend border security project
Solomon Islands has held a ground-breaking ceremony in the Shortland Islands for a border security project it's partnering with Australia.
