Covid 19
Employment advocate busy with inquiries over mask rules
An employment advocate says she's been inundated with inquiries from employers and staff who are at loggerheads over mask wearing rules. At the orange Covid traffic light setting masks are no longer… Audio
Andrew Geddis on MIQ memo
Newly released documents show that health officials agreed that MIQ was "no longer justified" for most returnees. However, it took another three and a half months, almost 40,000 MIQ stays and seven… Audio
US will no longer enforce mask mandate on airplanes, trains after court ruling
The Biden administration will no longer enforce a US mask mandate on public transportation, after a federal judge in Florida on Monday ruled that the 14-month-old directive was unlawful.
Top doctors signed off advice on ending MIQ in November
The country's two top doctors signed off on a suggestion to end MIQ in November last year.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Dr Caroline McElnay agreed MIQ was no longer justified on public health grounds… Audio
Covid-19 update: Five further deaths and 8270 new community cases today
Another five people with Covid-19 have died and 8270 new community cases have been detected, the Ministry of Health says.
Mother with breast cancer says Omicron surgery delays frightening, lonely
A woman who had her breast cancer operation delayed twice in the Omicron outbreak feared the "dangerous strangers" in her body would get the better of her. Audio
Covid-19: Cancer diagnoses fell during Omicron outbreak
Latest figures show there has been a decline in cancer diagnoses and treatments thanks to the Omicron outbreak.
Data from Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency, indicates overall diagnoses fell… Audio
Waiheke restaurants sharing staff, co-ordinating hours
A group of Waiheke Island restaurants and bars have discovered the power of banding together to get them through tough Covid-19 times of staff shortages and scarce tourists.
They're co-ordinating… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland woman's cancer operation postponed twice
An Auckland woman who had her breast cancer operation postponed twice is one of thousands caught up in delays caused by Omicron.
There were 2500 fewer planned surgeries carried out in Auckland in the… Audio
Level 4 Lockdown Announcement
Chey and the team translate Jacinda Ardern’s announcement to the country of our first level 4 lockdown. Covid has affected us all and this is certainly a topical issue for our Whakamāori team to dive… Video, Audio
Covid-19 update: 6242 new community cases, 11 deaths
Another 11 people have died from Covid-19, and 6242 more community cases have been detected, health authorities say.
Nelson Hospital revamp improves ability to treat Covid-19 patients
More than $1 million has been spent reconfiguring Nelson Hospital to better treat patients with Covid-19.
Air NZ deals with flood of phone calls as borders reopen
Air New Zealand has been dealing with a flood of phone calls from customers wanting information as the borders reopen.
Covid-19 update: 5933 new community cases, ten deaths
There are 5933 new cases of Covid-19 reported in the community today, with ten further deaths.
My Current Song: Kiki Rockwell, Left for Dead
Formerly known as the singer and keyboard player for indie band The Leers, rising New Zealand singer-songwriter (and now producer and engineer) Kiki Rockwell's debut solo single, 'Left For Dead' has… Audio
New Covid subvariants not 'game changers' - modeller
A Covid-19 modeller says new subvariant strains will not cause waves of new cases if it arrives in New Zealand, but will likely leave a long tail of case numbers.
Fewer cancer diagnoses and surgeries at start of Omicron outbreak - report
Fewer cancer diagnoses and treatments were seen during the start of the Omicron outbreak, according to a new report.
Auckland's new Covid-19 cases not highest in NZ for first time
For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Auckland does not have the most new daily community cases reported today.
'We have a huge demand for food': Even Shanghai's billionaires can't find milk and bread
As Shanghai enters its fourth week of lockdown, Chinese elites are finding themselves trapped by extreme Covid-19 measures in a city where the welfare of lower-income residents remains unknown.
New Omicron subvariant found in Melbourne wastewater
A new Omicron subvariant has been detected in a Melbourne wastewater catchment - the first time it has been found in Australia.
