Covid 19
Shock as school at centre of Covid cluster reopened
A Covid cluster has cropped up in the South Taranaki town of Eltham - with 16 confirmed cases in the comunity. Fourteen cases are children - and 11 are from a single classroom at Etham Primary School… Audio
First wave of Aucklanders flood through Queenstown Airport
The first wave of Aucklanders have flooded through Queenstown airport today, now that the city's border is open. Their arrival has been hotly anticipated by tourist operators desperate to revive their… Video, Audio
The Omicron Covid-19 variant: What you need to know
Explainer - The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is rapidly spreading around the world. Here's what you need to know about the risk the variant poses and its possible impact on the global pandemic… Video
Northland checkpoints start smoothly as border reopens
Northland's checkpoints started smoothly today, with last minute background checks holding up some Tai Tokerau Border Control workers the only speed bump.
Thousands of cars heading north passed… Video, Audio
Evening business for 15 December 2021
News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6286891082001 Video, Audio
Counties-Manukau DHB hits 90 percent fully vaccinated
Sound the bell, Counties Manukau DHB has hit the 90 percent double vaccination target. The last of Auckland's three health boards to get over the line. Counties Manukau has the second biggest eligable… Video, Audio
Covid-style Christmas Santa photo at mall one to remember
He's making a list, checking it twice, but this year Santa is also wearing a mask and checking you in. It's a Covid-style Santa visit in malls across Auckland this year, with the city still in the red… Video, Audio
Australia nears Covid crisis mode
New South Wales is being warned it could see 25,000 cases a day by the end of January. The state has recorded its highest daily total in more than three months - yet new freedoms have come into effect… Audio
Border opening puts nearly half the Māori population at risk
A Covid-19 researcher says opening the Auckland border has exposed nearly half of the Māori population to the risk of contracting Delta - and children could be the biggest spreaders.
Thousands through airports as Auckland border reopens
Goodbye tumbleweed terminal, hello holiday. Auckland's Covid protection border has reopened, and on Wednesday Auckland Airport was with locals leaving lockdown land. After 120 days penned in, tens of… Video, Audio
Taxi Federation takes concerns over carrying unvaccinated passengers to the government
Taxi drivers are angry they are being forced to carry unvaccinated passengers and have asked the government to urgently review the rules.
The Panel with Damian Christie and Ziena Jalil (Part 2)
Part 2: Panellists Damian Christie and Ziena Jalil discuss lending law changes, Christmas hams, and a 'monster slide'. Audio
The Panel with Damian Christie and Ziena Jalil (Part 1)
Part 1: Panellists Damian Christie and Ziena Jalil discuss Auckland opening up, and new legislation on townhouses. Audio
Auckland's boundary lifts; motorists head out of the city, many flock to airport
Spot checks are happening on roads out of the city, at the airport, and at two new checkpoints in Northland. See how the first day of the soft border around Auckland unfolded with RNZ's live blog.
The Pre-Panel for 15 December 2021
Panellists Damian Christie and Ziena Jalil answer listeners' questions for Dear Panel. Send your questions to thepanel@rnz.co.nz. Audio
Taranaki town on alert after one Covid-19 case at school grows to 11
An isolated case of Covid in the Taranaki township of Eltham has grown into a full blown cluster involving a single class at the local primary school.
Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown hits government coffers
The government's finances have taken a bigger than expected hit from the current Covid-19 outbreak.
Covid-19: 74 new community cases today, one death
There are 74 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today as Auckland's border restrictions are lifted.
Report reveals performance gap between regions with Covid-19 restrictions and those with fewer
The latest Westpac Regional Roundup report shows the emergence of the Delta variant created a performance gap between regions that had fewer restrictions, and those that were forced into lockdown.
Auckland border testing may only catch a quarter of cases - govt report
Government officials think the testing requirement to leave Auckland from today might only catch a quarter of the number of Covid-19 cases leaving.
