Covid 19
Covid-19: Schools given access to RATs
Schools, kura and early learning centres are being given Rapid Antigen Tests, or RATs, to improve access to the widely used tests.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins says it's being done to keep… Audio
New test for checking immunity levels to Covid-19
Back in November of last year a couple of First Up staff went to check out a very interesting piece of technology that tells you how protected you are against Covid-19. Sure enough, the device… Audio
Tourism has a future, expect visitors in numbers by spring
The Government has this morning announced a $49 million kickstart tourism fund for the South Island. The fund is now available for businesses which are ready to scale up operations or come out of… Audio
PM on border reopening plan: 'We're ready to welcome the world back'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced New Zealand's borders will be open to vaccinated Australians from 11.59 pm on 12 April.
NZ 'back on the map': Recruitment, more flights, and calls for vaccine pass removal
The various groups says the past two years have been incredibly tough, but this long-awaited news provides them certainty, allows for gradual rebuild of tourism and will save operators from collapse.
Auckland welcomes return of travellers, but staff urgently need
It's the news Auckland's downtown has been longing for - tourism is coming back, and sooner than expected.
Vaccinated Australians are now welcome from April 13.
Vaccinated travellers from other… Video, Audio
Netball: Pulse face first ANZ Premiership match after Covid cases
Covid is running through the Super Rugby teams - with all three games postponed this weekend because of cases in the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders.
There'll now just be one game this weekend -… Audio
Warriors fans waiting until July for NRL game in Auckland
Warriors fans will still have to wait until July to see an NRL game played in Auckland, despite the government's decision to allow Australians into the country early.
Club chief executive Cameron… Audio
Govt sending nearly a million RATs to schools, ECEs
Families will soon be able to get rapid antigen tests from schools and early childhood centres.
The government is providing nearly a million RAT kits in a bid to keep education going as the Omicron… Audio
Paihia businesses ready to say haere mai to tourists again
Bay of Islands businesses are getting ready to say haere mai to tourists.
In Paihia, where jobs and livelihoods are hanging by a thread, the earlier opening dates are just the news locals needed.
… Audio
Board of Airline Representatives welcomes border reopening
Aotearoa is ready to welcome back the world, but how are they going to get here.
The number of international carriers coming into the country has slimmed down considerably since Covid hit.
In… Video, Audio
Seeing your doctor harder as GP shortage worsens
A stark warning from GPs today - a visit to the clinic is going to get more difficult as they face a major shortage.
The Royal College of General Practitioners says more medical students need to be… Audio
Tourism sector says return to pre-Covid numbers will take years
The welcome mat is out for tourists but it could be another four years before Aotearoa's back to pre-Covid visitor numbers.
And the industry says it will need extra financial help despite today's… Video, Audio
NZ ready to welcome world back - Jacinda Ardern
New Zealand is ready to welcome the world back - that's the message from the Prime Ministerial podium - as the country's reopening is accelerated.
The timeline for easing border restrictions has… Audio
Covid-19 update: 24 more deaths in NZ, 19,542 new cases
There have been 19,542 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and 24 more deaths reported today.
Schools to receive rapid antigen tests from government
Schools, kura and early learning centres will soon be able to opt-in to receive rapid antigen tests, the government has announced.
Chris Hipkins tests positive for Covid-19
The minister in charge of New Zealand's Covid-19 response has now himself tested positive for the coronavirus.
Nearly 20,000 Covid-19 cases in past 10 days linked to Auckland schools
The latest figures from the Ministry of Education show 86 percent of schools in the region have reported cases in the past 10 days.
Covid-19: Tourism operators await border announcement
Tourism operators are waiting with bated breath for the government's plans to fast-track the border reopening. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is due to make an announcement today. Queenstown is one of… Audio
Covid-19: Hunters warned to be mindful of mental state
Hunters are being asked to monitor their state of mind, as well as their equipment, before they start heading to the hills in numbers from this week.
The Firearm Safety Council is anticipating that… Audio
