Covid 19
Offices lighting up after Omicron peak
Workers in our key business districts are returning to offices of dusty desks, blank screens, and staff rooms that, for once, don't stink of your workmates leftovers.
Now that some vax mandates are a… Audio
Popular Dunedin bar sticks with vaccine passes
A popular Dunedin bar is sticking with vaccine passes even though they are not compulsory anymore.
As of midnight last night - the requirement for passes and most mandates expired.
But for Woof bar… Video, Audio
Night clubs skirt Covid rules by operating as private events
When is a night club not a night club?
A so-called 'grey area' in the Covid-19 rules means some bars and venues have been hosting parties despite the red light setting without enforcing mask-wearing… Audio
Zelenskyy visits Bucha after Russians left civilians dead in streets
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the Ukrainian town of Bucha, to see first hand the devastation left by Russian forces.
The visit comes after the world has reacted with shock and horror to… Audio
Covid-19 update: 14,120 community cases, 23 further deaths, 692 people in hospital
There are 14,120 community cases of Covid-19 and 23 further deaths to report today.
Losing a loved one during lockdown research
The heartbreaking and difficult stories of deaths of loved ones in hospital during lock down have been shared with researchers. Dr Sinéad Donnelly from Otago University's Department of Medicine speaks… Audio
Wider surveillance testing to watch for XE variant, winter illnesses - Bloomfield
It is inevitable new Covid-19 variants such as the newly discovered XE strain will arrive in the country, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says. Audio
Principals worried about winter classroom ventilation
Some principals doubt they can adequately ventilate their classrooms to reduce the spread of Covid-19 during winter.
Covid-19: UK adds nine new symptoms added to its official list
The UK Health Security Agency's updated guidance now lists symptoms including a sore throat, muscle pains and diarrhoea.
The cost of covid on important neurological research
From brain recovery and sleep research to epilepsy in tamariki Maori - nearly 100 neurological research projects have been disrupted due to Covid. 1 in 5 Kiwis are affected by conditions like… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland hospitality businesses on staying at red
The government's decision to keep all of the country on the most-restrictive Covid-19 setting is casting a red light over the hospitality sector.
In Auckland, the country's restaurant capital, many… Audio
Tour and coach industry continues to suffer despite promise of international tourists
A second-hand bus boom has developed because tour coach companies, which have struggled with closed borders and domestic restrictions for the last two years, are winding down.
Covid-19: Inevitable new variants headed here - Bloomfield
Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says it is inevitable new Covid-19 variants - such as the newly-discovered XE strain - will arrive in the country.
Early studies of the new variant, which… Audio
Covid-19: Red traffic light staying on for NZ businesses
The red traffic light remains on for New Zealand businesses, even though many of them will no longer need to ensure all their customers have a valid vaccine pass, with that requirement ending today.
… Audio
Willis: confident online bullying in Young Nats not widespread
And as you'll no doubt have heard, New Zealand will remain at the at the red traffic light setting for at least another nine days due to the stubbornly high number of Covid cases we're seeing in the… Audio
Thousands leave Auckland for other New Zealand centres amid Covid-19
The tide of people moving out of Auckland for greener pastures in other parts of the country has increased during the pandemic.
Why are some keen to ditch Covid-19 measures with cases still in the thousands?
Aotearoa will remain at the red traffic light setting, but other public health mandates will still be lifted, contributing to the sense that there's light at the end of the tunnel after two years.
NZ to remain at red Covid-19 traffic light setting
The country will remain at the red Covid-19 traffic light setting, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says. Audio
Tide of people leaving Auckland increased during pandemic
The tide of people moving out of Auckland for greener pastures in other parts of the country has increased during the pandemic.
At least 24,500 people have left the city in the past two years.
Last… Audio
School leaders prepare for return of unvaccinated staff
From tomorrow, vaccine mandates are gone for teachers, NZ Defence Force, and staff at places you've needed your vax pass.
Teachers who had to stop working because they aren't vaccinated, can begin… Audio
