Covid 19
Families in MIQ up to five weeks after positive results
Families enduring five-week MIQ stays after testing positive for Covid-19, are among the voices calling for a shift to self-isolation for returnees.
Some are purposely trying to make each other sick… Audio
Covid-19: NZ Olympics team members reportedly positive
China's capital Beijing is poised and ready for the launch of the 24th Winter Olympics tomorrow.
Two-hundred-and-fifty people have tested positive on arrival in China, but so far that's within the… Audio
Covid-19: Expert on booster gap shortening
As of tomorrow, the wait to get a Pfizer booster dose after a second jab will drop from four months to three.
The change makes another million people aged 18 and over eligible for the third shot.
… Audio
Covid-19: Tonga lockdown interferes with volcano aid deliveries
As Tonga begins its lockdown, three new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed bringing the total number to five.
The outbreak could not have happened at a worse time with Covid-19 restrictions… Audio
Covid-19: Trapped man awaiting border news
Later today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to announce plans for the border re-opening.
Among the many anxiously awaiting the news is Tim Goodman - a Melbourne-based business operator in… Audio
Govt defends MIQ and border settings to date
And as you'll have heard in Ella's report before the Prime Minister is due to announce changes to the country's border settings today. Nathan Rarere was able to discuss this with the Deputy Prime… Audio
Kiwis overseas hope for good news on border rules
Thousands of Kiwis stuck overseas are hoping for good news today when the Prime Minister announces changes to New Zealand's border rules. The Managed Isolation and Quarantine system has been making… Audio
LDR Ashburton: anti-Govt protests disturb Rangiora businesses
It's that time of the week where we have a look around the country and hear the stories of our Local Democracy reporters. Joining Nathan Rarere this morning is Adam Burns in Ashburton. Audio
Omicron's worst is yet to come, but NZ may be better prepared than others
Opinion - New Zealand has managed to stamp out onward transmission of the Delta variant, which means it's not dealing with a "double epidemic" and has a better chance to tackle Omicron's spread… Video
Children head back to school with new rules under Omicron
It was the first day of 2022 in the classroom for many children today, as schools prepare for life with Covid-19 rife in the community. Audio
Midweek Mediawatch: broadcaster's MIQ mission fires up media
Mediawatch’s weekly catch-up with Lately on RNZ National.
This week Colin Peacock talked to Bryan Crump about the fallout from broadcaster Charlotte Bellis’s media campaign against MIQ. Also… Audio
Wildfoods Festival cancelled for first time in 34-year history due to Covid-19
The West Coast's Wildfoods Festival is the latest event to fall victim to Covid-19 restrictions.
Shortened interval for booster key to limiting Omicron outbreak, experts say
Experts are welcoming the shortening of the period between a second Covid-19 vaccine dose and the booster dose. Audio
Children head back to school with new rules under Omicron
The 5-11 year age group has been able to get the Covid-19 vaccine for two and a half weeks - but so far only 37 percent have.
Despite that, schools are back and measures have been put in place to… Video, Audio
Ongoing booster shots for healthy unlikely - Dr Nikki Turner
Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner joins Checkpoint to discuss why booster shots were brought forward from four to three months after a second dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.
… Video, Audio
Booster interval shortened to three months, government confirms
The gap between second and third doses of the Covid-19 vaccine is being shorted from four months to three, the government has announced. Watch the government announcement here.
Covid-19: Government provides more support for arts and culture sector
The government is boosting support for the arts sector following the shift to the red traffic light setting. Audio
Mainfreight NZ mandates Covid-19 vaccine for staff
Mainfreight has mandated its New Zealand staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Robertson on MIQ considerations, rapid antigen tests in Omicron response
Mounting political pressure is not the reason pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis was offered an emergency MIQ spot, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson says. Audio
Covid-19: Red light setting troubles sports fans
The red traffic light setting is affecting sports fans.
Restrictions limit crowds to 100, meaning even if venues create separate bubbles for several groups, spectator numbers are well down.
Reporter… Audio
