Covid 19
Concern Parliament protest becoming 'free-for-all'
Misinformation researchers are concerned the protest at Parliament is becoming a "free-for-all" as the idea of any leadership within the blockade area slips away.
Hundreds of Otago students isolate after Castle St parties
Hundreds of Covid-19 care packages are being delivered to isolating Otago Univeristy students as Covid spreads.
The student flatting strip Castle Street, and parties held there, were recently… Video, Audio
Experts fear Parliament protesters being captured by extremists
Misinformation researchers are concerned the protest at Parliament is vulnerable to being captured by extremists, as the idea of any leadership within the blockade area slips away.
In recent days… Audio
Omicron outbreak takes toll on paramedics, ambulances parked
The Omicron outbreak's taking its toll on paramedics, with Auckland down nine ambulances on Saturday night because of a lack of staff.
St John is putting it down to illness and self isolation… Audio
Emergency Covid-19 laws no longer justified - Lady Deborah Chambers
The government's emergency Covid laws restricting freedom of movement can no longer be justified, according to a leading QC.
Prominent Lawyer Lady Deborah Chambers believes government rules around… Video, Audio
Omicron: Auckland restaurants, cafes close as staff isolate
Auckland cafes and restaurants are having to shut up shop as Omicron reaches staff and rising cases keep customers at home.
This comes after the government announced a new Covid-19 support payment… Video, Audio
Rapid antigen tests become norm at Auckland testing centres
Massive demand for Covid-19 testing means RATs will now be the go-to at Auckland testing centres, as labs deal with a huge backlog in PCR swabs.
There are 3297 new community Covid-19 cases today -… Audio
Mayor's meeting with protesters 'an embarrassment' - councillor
Wellington mayor Andy Foster has been criticised for meeting with anti-mandate protesters. One of his colleagues - councillor Nicola Young has called it "an embarrassment".
She spoke to Lisa Owen. Video, Audio
Businesses near Parliament increasingly frustrated at protest
Wellington businesses are becoming increasingly impatient at the demonstration that's pushing foot traffic away from them. Wellingtonians appear to be giving the Parliament protest a wide berth… Video, Audio
China's Covid-zero policy forces some NZ businesses to suspend exports
Despite the risk of catching the coronavirus from food being considered highly unlikely, as part of China's Covid-19 zero policy food producers who experience positive cases at their sites are…
Children at centre of Whanganui's Covid-19 outbreak
Covid-19 is spreading fastest among children and teens in the Whanganui and Rangitīkei Covid-19 outbreak as the region faces the second-lowest rate of child 5 to 11 vaccinations in the country.
Protesters at Parliament voluntarily moving cars
Police say people at the anti-mandate protest at Parliament have started to move their vehicles. See how the day unfolded.
Expectations for Covid care ignore stretched workforce - NZMA
The Medical Association is warning all doctors that the impact of Covid-19 on general practice is at crisis point.
Covid-19 update: 3297 new community cases in NZ today
Today there are 3297 new cases of Covid-19 in the community in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.
‘It’s real, please take it seriously’ - Rotorua mayor tests positive for Covid-19
Steve Chadwick says the worst of the illness appears to be over but it hit her "very hard".
PCR testing 'inundated', labs look ahead to phase three
Testing laboratories say they have been inundated with demand for Covid-19 PCR tests much faster than expected, and there's a major backlog in Auckland. Audio
'We were gutted': Studies disrupted as Covid-19 spreads at universities
Lectures started at some universities this week and the Union of Students' Associations said there had been cases of the virus among students at several institutions.
GP's want a move to phase 3 now
There are now more than 20,000 active cases of Covid-19 in the community, and health services are feeling the pressure.
The Government set out a 3 phase response to the more infectious variant… Audio
Science with Siouxsie Wiles
Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about why a booster shot is important in this omicron outbreak, and the differences between the BA.1 and BA.2 strains of omicron. Associate… Audio
Epidemiologist's warning: 'A serious disease that people need to take seriously'
There's "no doubt" New Zealanders are not taking Omicron seriously, Auckland epidemiologist Rod Jackson says, adding that in the US, it has killed more people than the Delta variant. Audio