Covid 19
Grounded Kiwis hope MIQ petition succeeds despite Omicron
Grounded Kiwis are hoping their calls for changes to MIQ take flight and the threat of Omicron does not cause delays.
A petition with almost 23,000 signatures has been delivered to Parliament asking… Video, Audio
Police explain how holiday Covid-19 checkpoints will work
From 11:59pm Tuesday Auckland's Covid border is reopening, allowing people to travel north and south, to and from the region.
Police and Te Tai Tokerau Border Control will be staffing two checkpoints… Video, Audio
Anticipation, caution as AKL-CHC flights take off again
For the first time in four months, Aucklanders will finally get the chance to head south when the city's border opens tomorrow.
It's likely to be a day of busy airports, tearful reunions and a little… Audio
Tairāwhiti community leaders call for Covid-19 checkpoints over summer
Local leaders in the Tairāwhiti Gisborne region are calling for checkpoints around the region to protect its residents from Covid-19 this summer. Audio
Airport's therapy dogs to assist with busiest week in domestic travel
Christchurch Airport plans to have the country's first 'Airpawt Ambassadors' on duty for for pats, cuddles and 'paw-fives' to help ease any anxiousness.
Iwi mobile clinics focus on reaching unvaccinated Māori in Whanganui
Iwi providers throughout the Whanganui region are stepping up mobile Covid-19 vaccination units to reach as many whānau leading into the holiday period.
Omicron uncertainty may put international travel plans at risk
It will still be "flyer beware" for people hoping to travel overseas from January as the border begins reopening, the Covid-19 Response Minister says.
Covid-19 border restrictions exacerbating vet shortages in New Zealand
The Veterinary Council of New Zealand says it is taking a pragmatic approach as a regulator because the sector is feeling the pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic and staff shortages.
Covid-19 update: 80 new community cases today
The Ministry of Health says several members of a flight crew have been identified as close contacts of a Omicron variant case in Australia.
Covid-19 booster shot: Investigation after person injected with used needle
The Canterbury DHB is investigating after a person was injected with a used needle when getting a booster shot of the vaccine.
Covid-19: Iwi swing into action after positive test in Taranaki
A quarter of Eltham's population has been tested for Covid-19 since a case of the virus in the town was announced on Saturday evening.
Rapid antigen testing: What you need to know
Explainer - The Ministry of Health is considering further rollout of rapid antigen tests to the general public. Here's what you need to know about the current rules and what experts have to say. Audio
Ongoing red light restrictions 'devastating' for Northland businesses
An event organiser in the region says the government decision is a blow after so much hard work by local organisations to increase vaccination rates. Audio
'I probably wouldn't have been fighting for my life in ICU if I had been vaccinated'
A Hamilton mum, who says she was a Covid-19 denier until she got the virus, is finally back home after ending up in hospital. Audio
Ministry of Education records spike in home-schooling applications
Figures show there were more than 100 applications a month before the pandemic and fewer than 200 a month for most of last year and this year. But in October there were about 500 applications and in…
Government's announcement on traffic light setting changes prompts mixed response
Around the East Coast and Bay of Plenty regions, opinions on the traffic light setting change widely vary.
Top of the class: How Leanne Otene goes the extra mile for her tamariki
It's been a tough year for many, but particularly for those working within the education sector. A survey out just last week from the Education Review Office found the pandemic had left teachers… Audio
Aucklanders looking forward to orange traffic light setting but businesses surprised by delay
People planning New Year' Eve celebrations in Auckland are hailing the city's next step towards freedom, just in time to bid goodbye and good riddance to 2021. Audio
Government's traffic light settings decision under fire from political opposition
Opposition parties say Auckland should already be in orange under the Covid-19 traffic light system and businesses in Auckland will be going to the wall while they wait. Audio
Air NZ: domestic travellers required to show vaccine passport
From today any passenger hoping to travel on a domestic flight with Air New Zealand will have to show either a vaccine passport or the results of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure… Audio
