Covid 19
NZ borders set to reopen to all at midnight
For the first time in nearly two and a half years, New Zealand's border will be opened to all visitors, at midnight tonight.
Inside the super-secure Swiss lab trying to stop the next pandemic
Spiez Laboratory was the first facility selected by the WHO to be part of its BioHub programme, which aims to improve the global response to future threats from pathogens.
Covid-19: Niue enters red alert level as case numbers rise
The government of Niue has announced the country will move to Covid-19 alert level red after it recorded nine new cases of the virus in the past 24 hours.
Covid-19: Niue enters red alert level as case numbers rise
The government of Niue has announced the country will move to Covid-19 alert level red after it recorded nine new cases of the virus in the past 24 hours.
Covid-19: The region where at least a third of people have been infected
Winter conditions and the BA.5 variant are driving infections, says one health professional, with modelling showing case numbers could remain high throughout August.
Europe's summer brings back ballooning Covid-19 cases
With demand for travel roaring back, European cities are heaving with tourists, and Covid-19.
New Zealand's latest Covid-19 wave is levelling off, experts say
New Zealand has likely passed the peak of the most recent Covid-19 wave, thanks to strong hybrid immunity in the community, according to several experts.
Experts warn teachers and parents to look out for long Covid in children
After a family wedding in March this year, Becca's family all caught Covid-19. Almost five months on, two of her children are still battling debilitating symptoms.
Covid-19 update : 41 further deaths, 7605 new cases reported
There have been 7605 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and a further 41 deaths with the virus, the Ministry of Health reports.
Bloomfield bows out - a look back at his key moments as Director-General of Health
After guiding New Zealand through two and a half years of a pandemic, Dr Ashley Bloomfield's time as Director-General of Health has come to an end. Video
Covid-19 hospitalisations highest in South Island
The South Island has the highest rate of Covid-19 hospitalisations in the country.
Nationally, there's been some cause for optimisim in the outbreak, with case numbers and the weekly hospitalisation… Audio
Number of teens leaving school early up
The number of teenagers leaving school early has jumped. Almost one in five school leavers in 2021 was under the age of 17, the highest figure in a decade.
One of the worst-affected areas is Taranaki… Audio
Tokelau maintaining tough measures to stay Covid-free
In Tokelau, a family that has been under tunoa, which roughly translates to house arrest, for 11 months has once again refused to get vaccinated.
Tokelau's government is maintaining tough measures to… Audio
Clinics kept busy by high South Island Covid-19 rate
Queenstown's urgent care clinic has had to double the number of staff it employs in the last few weeks as the South Island feels the pressure from winter illnesses.
Propping the theatre door open
In the digital age and the Covid era, how do you get people out to a play? Audio
Covid-19 update: 7627 new community cases and 827 hospitalisations
There are 7627 new community cases of Covid-19 and 827 hospitalisations to report today, the Ministry of Health says.
Covid in China: Million in lockdown in Wuhan after four cases
Almost one million people in a suburb of Wuhan - China's central city where the coronavirus was first recorded - have been placed under lockdown.
'Not safe enough to be waiting at home' - Long waits for heart and cancer surgeries
Some acute heart patients are waiting weeks in hospital for an operation, too sick to go home but unable to get a surgical slot. Audio
Ashley Bloomfield looks back on tenure at Ministry of Health
Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has been in charge at the Ministry of Health during the Covid-19 pandemic, and now he's leaving his post - one year early.
At the same time, the… Audio
Opera singer needed professional help after Covid-19
You can't be an opera singer unless you have an impressive pair of lungs - and know how to use them.
But Auckland-born soprano Christina Orjis had to get professional help to learn how to breathe… Audio
