Covid 19
Covid-19: New locations of interest in Otaki, Rotorua
Two new Covid-19 locations of interest have been added to the Ministry of Health's website.
Covid-19: Two Wellington cases linked to Tauranga drum and bass festival
Two new cases of Covid-19 in Wellington have been confirmed today, with a possible link to a drum and bass festival in Mount Maunganui.
National Party MP attends second anti-lockdown and mandate protest
Whanganui list MP Harete Hipango posted pictures of herself on Facebook at a rally in her electorate.
CEO pay should be linked to Covid-19 vaccine access - investors
A group of institutional investors is calling on pharmaceutical companies to link their executives' pay to making Covid-19 vaccines available around the globe.
Covid-19: England to scrap pre-departure travel tests
The rules on testing are to be eased for people travelling to England, the government has announced, following calls from the travel industry.
Remote working extends into holiday season
Employment Hero chief executive Ben Thompson says the pandemic has fundamentally changed not just how people can work, but how they can take holidays as well.
Omicron may be less severe in young and old, but not 'mild' - WHO
The more infectious Omicron variant of Covid-19 appears to produce less severe disease than the globally dominant Delta strain, but should not be categorised as "mild", World Health Organization…
Travellers must provide negative Covid-19 tests in shorter timeframe from today
Changes to pre-departure Covid-19 testing requirements to enter New Zealand come into effect today.
Call for govt to clearly communicate Covid-19 Omicron outbreak plan
New Zealand is being urged to heed the lessons from Australia's Covid-19 testing debacle in the event of a similar explosion in Omicron cases in Aotearoa. Audio
Covid-19: Rotorua MIQ worker tests positive
A fully vaccinated Rotorua-based managed isolation (MIQ) worker has tested positive to Covid-19.
Covid-19 update: 35 new community cases, 24 in MIQ
There are 35 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and 24 cases in managed isolation, the Ministry of Health has reported.
NSW facing new Covid-19 curbs as state records 11 deaths, 38k cases
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet could reintroduce some Covid-19 restrictions today after the state recorded 38,625 new cases and 11 deaths.
'Speed is key': Using Covid-19 tracer app vital for containing any Omicron outbreak - expert
Consistent scanning of QR codes can provide significant boosts to contact tracers' efforts to contain Omicron outbreaks, Dr Andrew Chen says. Audio
Dr Caroline McElnay on international travel changes
From today, all international arrivals into New Zealand will need to provide a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of their departure, down from the previous 72 hours.
Director of Public Health… Audio
Concerns about contact tracing system for Omicron - technologist
With Omicron knocking on New Zealand's doorstep, there's concern about how our contact tracing system will cope when it begins spreading in the community.
The system came under severe strain when… Audio
Covid-19: NZ should learn from mistakes of other countries
As the Omicron Covid-19 variant continues its rapid spread internationally, putting pressure on health and testing systems across the globe, overseas health experts say New Zealand can learn from the… Audio
New Zealand's testing services could be overwhelmed by Omicron
Lab scientists are warning the country's diagnostic testing services could be quickly overwhelmed if the Covid-19 Omicron variant spreads as quickly here as it is in New South Wales.
The Government… Audio
Rapid response Covid-19 teams grapple with shortage of nurses
A leader of an intensive effort to boost Māori Covid-19 vaccinations says nurses are in short supply and it's time to look at training more Māori.
NZ must 'boost like crazy' before Omicron spreads - epidemiologist
Rising Covid-19 cases at the border are increasing the risk of the Omicron variant spreading in Aotearoa but a leading epidemiologist says the country still has time to prepare for an outbreak. Audio
Christchurch City Council introduces Covid-19 vaccine mandate for staff
Christchurch City Council is requiring its 2600 staff to be fully vaccinated under a new mandate.
