Covid 19
Calling Home: Ashleigh Stewart in Toronto
Investigative journalist Ashleigh Stewart lives in downtown Toronto with her husband Stuart McCready, but more recently she has been stationed in Ukraine covering the war there. She's Calling Home… Audio
Hopes second booster will help raise Māori vaccination rates
The Associate Minister of Health admits Māori Covid-19 vaccination numbers have stalled but believes the new booster dose will be useful.
The Week in Detail: Bromley stench, renewable energy and monkeypox
The Detail brings you the issues that matter every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Covid-19 update: 13 more deaths, 6369 new cases in NZ today
Another 13 deaths of people with Covid-19 have been recorded in New Zealand today, with 6369 new community cases also reported.
North Korea tests rivers, air, garbage as anti-Covid efforts gather steam
North Korean health officials are testing rivers, lakes, the air and household wastewater and garbage for the coronavirus as the country intensifies its fight against its first outbreak, state media…
Covid Minister details second booster shot for most at risk
Another jab is on the agenda for those most at risk of serious illness from Covid.
The additional booster shot has been recommended by the Ministry of Health vaccine advisory group and is intended… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Fourth vaccine dose announced for vulnerable groups
A second booster dose will be made available to more at-risk people with legislation adopted next month, the government has announced.
Ashley Bloomfield tests positive for Covid-19
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield has tested positive for Covid-19 while attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Second Covid-19 boosters for most at-risk coming soon
Second booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will soon be available for those most at risk of getting very sick from an infection.
The Response Minister Chris Hipkins says several hundred thousand… Audio
Primary principals call for compulsory mask wearing as winter approaches
Some primary school principals want a return to compulsory face mask-wearing as they head into the colder months.
Kerry-Anne Walsh with news from Australia
It's Friday so we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh. Audio
Primary principals calling for return of mask mandates
Some primary principals want a return to compulsory face masks as they head into the colder months. Some have taken it upon themselves to enforce it in their schools, but others aren't comfortable… Audio
Some primary schools want winter face mask mandate
Some primary principals want a return to compulsory face mask wearing as they head into the colder months.
Schools' measures for preventing the spread of Covid-19 are being tested as some regions… Audio
Covid-19 update: 16 further deaths, 7591 new community cases
There are 16 people who have died with Covid-19 and 7591 new community cases being reported today, the Ministry of Health says.
Midweek Mediawatch: Stuff's new stance on 'the C word'
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Anna Thomas about some kooky Australian election coverage, a bold new stance on car reviewing from BusinessDesk, a memo from Stuff… Audio
'I'd like to see masks mandated in schools' - expert
As Covid-19 cases start to rise again, computational biologist David Welch wants to see mask restrictions tighten.
Covid-19 update: 11 further deaths, new Omicron subvariant in community
The Ministry of Health is reporting the first case of Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 in the community without a clear link to the border.
Orange is the right traffic light setting for winter - expert
Winter is coming and New Zealand will remain at the Orange setting to keep the Omicron outbreak under control. Meanwhile, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says cases are expected to spike in… Audio
Covid: Orange limits remain ahead of winter uncertainty
The country's traffic light is staying orange, with the government and health experts warning of a rocky winter.
An immunologist says it will be a winter of uncertainty and the Covid Minister says… Audio
Covid-19 update: 15 further deaths, 8435 new community cases
The country has experienced another 15 deaths of people with Covid-19 and 8435 new community cases, the Ministry of Health says.