Covid 19
Sydney on edge as Omicron spreads
In Australia, Sydney and the Central Coast are on edge, waiting to discover just how far and wide the Omicron Covid variant has spread.
Exposure sites are increasing, after at least five positive… Audio
Hone Harawira welcomes call for Northland to exclude unvaccinated
Te Tai Tokerau Border Control founder Hone Harawira is welcoming the high-powered call for unvaccinated people to be blocked from entering the north this summer.
The Northern Region DHBs and Te Kahu… Audio
Travelling in a pandemic: 'Plan for what insurance won't cover' - Insurance Council
The Insurance Council says the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, means travellers should be warier than ever when booking trips. Audio
Auckland DHB vaccination rates sets 'new national benchmark' - epidemiologist
In the Auckland District Health Board area, 96.2 percent of eligible people have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Shortage of oximeters worries iwi healthcare provider
The boss of an iwi healthcare provider in Taranaki is worried a shortage of oximeters will hamper its ability to help whānau isolating at home with Covid-19.
Covid-19: Worldwide number of Omicron cases rises to 205
There are now at least 205 known cases of the Omicron variant in the world.
The EU's public health agency says 42 cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant have been found in 10 member states.
The UK… Audio
Covid-19: Shane Jones on suggestion to block off Northland tourist spots
A Northland iwi is floating a plan to block off popular tourist destinations this summer.
Bay of Islands iwi Te Tii Waitangi ki Te Pēwhairangi has told authorities they intend to re-establish a… Audio
Insurance will be tricky for overseas travel in 2022
Travel and insurance agents are sending a warning to book overseas travel for 2022 at your peril with the Omicron variant on the scene and travel insurance unlikely to provide cover for any extended… Audio
Covid-19 update: 134 new community cases today
There are 134 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in the community today.
Covid-19 community case in Nelson
At 1-o'clock today, a new case in Nelson will be officially added to the tally.
There are 13 published locations of interest for the area extending as far back as Friday November the 19th.
It comes… Audio
MIQ slashes 1000 rooms due to Omicron variant
Due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, MIQ has released about 1000 fewer rooms this morning than initially planned.
Providers say little evidence of improvement to home isolation following deaths
The head of a South Auckland health service says she's seeing little evidence that lessons have been learned from deaths in home isolation, with people waiting over a week to be contacted or isolating…
Taranaki vax events moving indoors after physical and verbal attacks
The District Health Board says police are now being warned in advance of vaccination events in an effort to keep staff safe, while iwi health providers have beefed up mobile vaccination teams to help…
As Aucklanders anticipate holiday trips, Māori leaders ask people to stay away
Analysis - By travelling to areas with low vaccination rates among Māori we risk tragedy in places - anyone choosing to go on holiday should have a plan, researchers write.
Rushed laws a "constitutional disgrace" - law prof
While the National Party was in the throes of its leadership crisis last Wednesday night, Parliament's Speaker had hours earlier taken the highly unusual step of lambasting the Labour government over… Audio
'It does put our community at risk': Locals oppose Rhythm and Vines
Gisborne locals say allowing music festival Rhythm and Vines to go ahead would be an open invitation for Covid-19 to arrive.
Auckland businesses hope customers play by the traffic light rules
An Auckland cafe manager hopes customers aren't upset by the no vaccine pass, no entry rule when the traffic light system starts on Friday.
South Island hospitality hoping for busy weekend in traffic light system
The entire South Island has been placed in the orange light setting, meaning life can almost get back to normal.
Five cases of omicron variant in Australia
Genomic testing has confirmed two new confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in New South Wales, bringing the total in the state to four. There's also a confirmed case in Northern… Audio
Where Aucklanders are welcome this summer
There's been a lot of discussion around where double-vaccinated Aucklanders are welcome this summer once the borders open. Karyn is joined by mayors from around the country to hear their thoughts on… Audio
