Covid 19
My Current Song: Park Bench, 'Castaway'
Park Bench is a four piece alternative band from Auckland's Western Springs College. They got together in music class and hope to keep things going once their secondary schooling is completed at the… Audio
Amanda Parer's 'Fantastic Planet'
The renowned Australian visual artist Amanda Parer is bringing 'Fantastic Planet' - giant inflatable luminous white 'humanoids' who land at different sites across the globe - to Auckland as part of… Audio
Calling Home: Andrew Dubber in Norrmjöle, Sweden
Andrew Dubber and partner Michela Magas live in the picturesque village of Norrmjöle (pop 219), in the north of Sweden. They're currently renovating a 200-year-old farmhouse in a forest by a lake and… Audio
'We can't keep up': Papakura Marae struggles with Covid demand
Auckland's Papakura Marae says it is struggling to cope with the sheer number of whānau needing its services.
National MP: Party members were meeting with Parliament protesters
National MP Maureen Pugh has claimed members of the party were talking with protesters on an almost daily basis.
Covid-19 testing site workers copping an 'unacceptable level of abusive behaviour'
Workers at Covid-19 testing sites are copping abuse as frustrations boil over at the limited access to rapid antigen tests amid the growing Omicron outbreak.
'Slow this down' - Too soon to say Omicron has peaked, says epidemiologist
People shouldn't read too much into today's decline in Covid-19 case numbers, epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson says.
'Hospitals have been slammed by this' - Doctors' union to Bloomfield
A medical association is disputing Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield's claim that Middlemore Hospital has the capacity cope with the recent surge in Omicron cases.
Canterbury protest disruption: 'Give us our once-peaceful homes back'
Residents who live near the occupied Cranmer Square anti-mandate protest in Christchurch say the ongoing disruption and noise is callous and selfish.
Police continue to monitor protester gatherings
Protest activity around the country is being monitored by police, who are calling for evidence of criminal acts following Wednesday's violent clash at Parliament.
Families reunite as borders reopen: 'It's pretty emotional being apart'
There was a true kiwi welcome at Auckland Airport this afternoon for the first group of New Zealanders returning home under the easing of Covid isolation rules.
As Covid-19 hits wallets, households urged to seek financial advice
Financial mentors are urging people to seek advice as many households remain under pressure due to the impacts of Covid-19.
Covid-19 update: 18,833 new community cases, 597 people in hospital, five deaths
The number of new community cases of Covid-19 has dropped below the 20,000 mark for the first time in several days, but the Health Ministry is still urging caution as it expects numbers to "jump…
Maori immunologist on Omicron surge
Auckland health officials are cautiously optimistic that case numbers may have reached a peak in the city, although the number of people in hospital could continue to rise for the next week. The… Audio
Barricades being removed at Parliament, most streets to reopen
Police are about to begin removing barricades blocking roads around Parliament - but Wellington's lower Molesworth Street will remain cordoned off for now.
Extra staff from Australia to help Countdown in NZ
Countdown is bringing in reinforcements from Australia to help keep shelves stocked as Omicron benches hundreds of staff here.
You may have noticed a bit of empty real estate at the supermarket… Video, Audio
Prison inmates missing counselling, in cells as Covid spreads
Inmates at Auckland prison are missing mental health appointments and facing extended lock downs due to Covid cases.
There's currently more than 220 active infections in our jails with shortages of… Video, Audio
RAT race on amid growing Omicron outbreak
A RAT race is on as tens of thousands of people try to source Rapid Antigen Tests amid the growing omicron outbreak.
RATs are now the primary testing method and kits are available at retail outlets… Audio
Hospital demand to continue after Omicron peaks
Health officials think the Omicron outbreak in Auckland may have peaked.
It could provide some relief to struggling GP clinics, who have been facing the outbreak head-on.
Katie Doyle reports. Audio
Covid-19 update: 22,527 new community cases, 562 in hospital, five deaths
There have been 22,527 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, slightly down on yesterday's numbers, the Ministry of Health says.
