Covid 19
Australians urged to work from home as winter Omicron wave swamps hospitals
Near-record numbers of Australians are being admitted to hospitals from Covid-19 with authorities encouraging working from home, mask wearing and booster shots amid a major outbreak.
Diabetes and Me: Getting Covid
For two-and-a-half years, Megan Whelan has wondered, worried, and fretted about what it would be like getting Covid.
Covid-19 update: 744 in hospital, 10,320 new cases and 34 deaths
There are 10,320 new cases of Covid-19 in the community to report today, and 34 deaths with the virus.
National Party conference to go ahead in person despite rising Covid cases
The National Party plans to hold its annual conference in person despite a nationwide spike in Covid cases, says deputy leader Nicola Willis.
Covid-19 reinfection: Each illness raises risks of long Covid
Analysis - Higher vaccination coverage, mask use and distancing would help keep New Zealanders healthier and reduce the burden of long Covid, Professor John Potter writes.
Moderna vaccine approved for Australian kids
The Moderna vaccine has been provisionally approved for children six months and older in Australia, but professor Nigel McMillan believes more needs to be done.
He spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Nicola Willis defends Prime Minister over maskless crowd photo
National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis has defended Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after she faced criticism for taking a photo with a crowd while not wearing a mask.
The photo, posted to Ardern's… Audio
Tokelauans refute anti-vax narrative of community affairs
Tokelau village leaders refute anti-vax narrative of community affairs. Audio
New Omicron sub-variant BA 2.75 spreading in new wave
Latest figures show there are over 10 thousand new cases of Covid-19 so far and 21 deaths, another sign the current wave of Covid is spreading ... and fast. Notably, two of the new cases reported are… Audio
Prime Minister criticised for crowded, maskless photo
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark is among those criticising a photo of Jacinda Ardern, where the Prime Minister and nearly 120 Youth MPs are maskless.
Dr Bloomfield's advice for NZers planning events through winter
As New Zealand grapples with a new surge of Omicron, the Director General of Health has offered some gentle advice to anyone planning events over the next six weeks.
He suggests postponing - if… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Health leaders give update, reveal change to the way deaths are reported
Deaths within 28 days of a Covid-19 infection will still be publicly recorded, but the Ministry of Health will separate out the total where death was as a result, or contributed to, by the virus.
Masterton Mayor wants unmasked not served in shops
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson is calling on businesses in the area to stop serving people who aren't wearing masks indoors to bring down high rates of winter illness in Wairarapa.
The local hospital… Audio
Covid testing stations see high demand for free RATs, masks
Testing stations are seeing more and more demand for RATs and masks, now that they're free for everyone - regardless of whether they have symptoms.
There's also been increased demand for PCR tests as… Video, Audio
Waning Covid immunity, new variants mean 'rough ride' ahead - immunologist
An immunologist is warning "we're in for a rough ride" as new Covid-19 variants and waning immunity make it more likely people will be infected or reinfected with the virus. Audio
Business owners feel positive about wellbeing most of the time - study
The mental health of business owners has been surprisingly resilient following a challenging couple of years, according a new report.
Australia-based epidemiologist on NZ's Covid-19 measures
It seems New Zealanders are better at masking up compared with our Australian counterparts.
University of Melbourne Epidemiology Professor Tony Blakely has been visiting New Zealand, and says mask… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron BA.5 can reinfect faster
The Ministry of Health says the highly-transmissible BA.5 subvariant of Omicron will become the dominant strain of the virus in New Zealand in a matter of weeks. Yesterday there were nearly… Audio
'We see the data, we see the challenges' - Little defends health system
Health Minister Andrew Little admits waiting times at the Emergency Department are getting longer but says health entities are doing all they can to make improvements.
Four fires in seven months in emergency accommodation
A group opposing emergency housing on Rotorua's motel strip says a fourth fire in seven months is unacceptable.
