Covid 19
Workers want work-life flexibility - how should employers respond?
Two-thirds of New Zealand workers surveyed from small and medium sized companies said they want more work-life flexibility, so how should bosses respond?
Five ways to make NZ's eased Covid response smarter
Analysis - With Covid restrictions eased, it's time to build on that success with a strong, science-informed strategy before the next pandemic arrives, write professors Michael Baker and Nick Wilson.
Booster shots needed to keep up immunity from Covid-19
Data shows that our New Zealander's aren't taking the opportunity to protect themselves against Covid with booster shots in the same numbers as we did mid-pandemic . Around the First Up newsroom we've… Audio
Is New Zealand well prepared for the next Covid wave?
Analysis - While modelling suggests it was time to wind back Covid restrictions, some measures were perhaps scrapped prematurely, Michael Plank and David Welch write.
Donut Robot in Napier forced to park up permanently
For the past eight years Donut Robot has been parking up on Tennyson Street in Napier and serving delicious donuts to locals and visitors. Now, owner Steve Toohey has been forced to close. Steve… Audio
Principals react to $20mil gov funding for struggling students
Millions of dollars in government funding is being directed to help with extra teaching for pupils who have fallen behind during the Covid-19 pandemic.
$20 million will go towards extra support for… Audio
Why there isn't a Covid-19 update today
The Ministry of Health has dropped its daily update on Covid-19 case numbers and will shift to weekly reporting.
How risky is flying without a face mask?
After two years of having to wear face masks on flights to and within New Zealand, the requirement has now been lifted.
With masks gone 'there's no excuse now for kids not to be back in schools'
Fewer than 60 percent of students attend school regularly across the country and the government has set a target for 70 percent of students to be back in the classroom regularly by 2024 and 75 percent…
Covid-19 update: 1941 new community cases, 241 people in hospital
There are 1941 new community cases of Covid-19 to report today, the Ministry of Health says.
Covid-19: Travellers likely to become main driver of virus spread, says expert
Otago University epidemiologist Michael Baker says we should not abandon all controls at the border and our infectious disease surveillance should be improved because pandemics are becoming more… Audio
Māori health authority on change to mask and vaccine mandates
Masks are now only needed in health or aged care facilities, vaccine requirements for travellers have been dropped, and isolation for household contacts of Covid cases has been axed.
Te Aka Whai Ora… Audio
Covid-19 rules mostly scrapped - will masks be missed?
The Covid-19 traffic light system is gone and people can hop on a bus, go shopping or visit the library without wearing a mask. Audio
PM defends scrapping mask mandates but advises use
Jacinda Ardern is defending the move to scrap the Covid-19 traffic light system but says there will continue to be waves of cases. Audio
Political analysis on Covid-19 rules change
Almost all Covid-19 restrictions have been scrapped after the Government did away with the Covid-19 Protection Framework overnight.
As of midnight, masks are only required in health and aged care… Audio
National Party on Traffic Light Framework scrapping
Almost all Covid-19 restrictions have been scrapped after the Government did away with the Covid-19 Protection Framework overnight.
As at midnight, masks are only required in health and aged care… Audio
Covid-19: Michael Baker on Traffic Light Framework scrapping
Covid-related restrictions - most of them anyway - are of course mostly now gone.
But Covid-19 hasn't gone, so does that leave us vulnerable to the virus?
Otago University epidemiologist Michael… Audio
Covid-19: Ardern defends dropping mask rules
After more than two and a half years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has dropped almost all restrictions.
Masks are now only needed in hospitals or aged care facilities, vaccine requirements… Audio
New Zealand wakes to new lack of Covid-19 rules
New Zealand is waking to its first day without major Covid-19 restrictions since March 2020.
Masks, vaccine requirements for incoming travellers, and isolation for household contacts have been axed… Audio
Retail NZ on loosening mask rules
Retailers around the country have been calling for masks to go for a while.
They now have their wish, with the government scrapping the Traffic Light Framework entirely.
Retail NZ chief executive… Audio
