Covid 19
Leaders exchange barbs in opening speeches to Parliament
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Opposition leader Chris Luxon have launched stinging attacks on their opponents in their opening speeches to Parliament this year. Video
Dispute over govt comandeering RATs from business ongoing
The Prime Minister has been dragged in to a fresh Ministry-made muddle over Rapid Antigen Tests on the first day back at Parliament.
The Opposition accuses the Government of commandeering tests from… Audio
'We do have some control over what happens next' with Omicron - PM
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says today is the start of a nationwide booster drive, with an extra 1 million New Zealanders being urged to get their third shot.
Anti-vaccine mandate protest convoy arrives at Parliament
Protesters who have travelled to Parliament in a vehicle convoy will not be able to stay on the grounds overnight.
Wānaka A&P Show cancelled over Covid-19 restrictions
The Wānaka A&P Show has been cancelled for the first time since World War II, due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Covid-19 update: 202 new community cases today, 63 in MIQ
There are 202 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported today.
Between 460 and 1450 people will die of Omicron - latest modelling
Modellers are predicting between 460 and 1450 people will die from Covid-19 in the Omicron outbreak.
PM Jacinda Ardern says Omicron peak could be in late March
After a record number of Covid-19 cases were reported on Saturday, the prime minister believes the country's Omicron peak may be in late March.
'We knew this would be coming' - School with Covid-19 cases has 55 pupils isolating
A Hawke's Bay primary school where four children tested positive for Covid-19 has about 10 percent of its pupils and three teachers away self-isolating. Audio
Long weekend disguises jump in cases
After a record number of Covid-19 cases were reported on Saturday, the prime minister believes the country's Omicron peak may be in late March. New Zealand recorded its largest ever one-day case… Audio
Some playcentres enforce mask rules despite no mandate
Some parents are worried mask rules for playcentres are unsafe and they are wearing them even though they do not have to.
Northern Territory has Australia's highest Covid hospitalisation rate, more admissions expected
The Northern Territory now has Australia's highest rate of Covid-related hospitalisations per capita, with a rate nearly double the figure seen during New South Wales's coronavirus peak.
Vaccination rates in area that is home to Gloriavale community improves
One of New Zealand's most remote and isolated communities has now reached 90 percent of its population over 12 getting at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
New modelling expects Omicron to peak at 10,000 daily cases
The latest modelling from Rodney Jones, out later this week, also predicted about 500 deaths over a year.
Covid-19: Lake Brunner sees big bump in vaccinations
One of the big movers in vaccination rates in recent weeks has been the area of Lake Brunner on the West Coast, home to the Gloriavale Christian Community.
So what's been causing the increase in… Audio
Covid-19: Study on NZers' experiences with virus launched
A new study out of Victoria University of Wellington aiming to capture the experiences of New Zealanders with Covid-19 is being launched today.
Over the next two weeks nearly 9000 people who have had… Audio
Parents want stricter mask rules for Playcentres
Some parents are worried facemask rules for Playcentres are unsafe and they are wearing masks even though they don't have to.
Playcentres are run by parents and follow the same Covid-19 rules as… Audio
Covid-19: Modeller predicts lower Omicron peak for Aotearoa
A Covid-19 modeller says Aotearoa could see much lower infection numbers than previously forecast.
Rodney Jones says his latest modelling suggests a peak of about 10,000 daily cases and about 500… Audio
Covid-19: Anti-vaccination mandate convoy due to arrive soon in Wellington
Convoys protesting against Covid-19 mandates are expected to cause traffic disruption this morning when they converge on Wellington from the North and South.
Two convoys made up of hundreds of… Audio
Covid-19: Four Te Mata Primary School students test positive
Four students at Te Mata Primary School, in Havelock North, have tested positive for Covid-19.
The cases are being treated as Omicron, and Hawke's Bay DHB staff are following up several close… Audio
