Travel
Cook Islands reopens border with vaccinated New Zealanders
The two-way quarantine-free travel bubble lasted just three months in 2021. Since then, the island nation has vaccinated close to 100 percent of its eligible population, paving the way for today's…
US flight cancellations hit new holiday peak amid Covid-19 and bad weather
Flight cancellations in the US have hit a new peak in a Christmas season hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and bad weather.
Queenstown visitors fail to show up
Queenstown businesses say Covid-19 has spooked Aucklanders out of heading south and a hoped-for influx has not eventuated.
Police urge campers, trampers to carry distress beacon
Police and the Mountain Safety Council are asking people to be prepared when heading outdoors this summer.
Omicron grounds hundreds more US flights over Christmas weekend
Commercial airlines cancelled 656 flights within, into or out of the United States on Sunday, slightly down from nearly 1000 from Christmas Day.
Thousands of flights scrapped globally as Omicron mars Christmas weekend
Commercial airlines around the world cancelled more than 4300 flights over the Christmas weekend as a spike in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant piled on misery for travellers.
Trampers warned of bed bugs in Stewart Island's Rakiura Track huts
Trampers who plan to walk the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island this summer are being offered the option of a refund as the battle against bed bugs continues.
The bugs reached infestation levels last… Audio
Covid-19: Expert warns against holidaying in areas with low vaccination coverage
The holiday season is upon us, but Covid-19 is in the community and Omicron is at our doorstep.
So should be people be considering the vaccination rates of the areas they intend to visit?
Timothy… Audio
Covid-19: Border delays a blow to New Zealanders stuck overseas
The decision to delay re-opening the borders has dealt another blow to New Zealanders stuck overseas and desperate to return home.
The threat of Omicron has prompted the government to push back the… Audio
Covid-19: Public health experts want tougher entry rules for Omicron
A public health expert is warning managed isolation and quarantine hotels will be swamped with Omicron cases unless there are tougher rules to keep more people out.
There are 22 confirmed cases of… Audio
Silver Fern railcars getting an upgrade
The Silver Fern railcars used to be the height of luxury, gliding between Auckland and Wellington.
Now, it's fair to say, they've seen better days.
Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham found out what… Audio
ICU nurse with job lined up in NZ stuck in South Africa
A seasoned ICU nurse who has a job offer with Tairāwhiti DHB is stuck in South Africa with no way of getting here.
Rena - who has 16 years' experience in intensive and critical care - can't even plan… Audio
Doubts grow over whether foreign students can return
Despite the promise that New Zealand's borders will open next year, there's doubt over whether foreign students will return.
Tertiary institutions are worried a pause in visa processing means few… Audio
Northland border: Police to start roving patrols
Northland is one of the least vaccinated parts of the country and more than 12,000 people need a second jab before the region can hit the 90 per cent fully vaccinated mark.
Northland police, local… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron raises concern for MIQ
The future of international travel in-and-out of the country hangs in the balance as Omicron continues to seep into our MIQ facilities.
Professor Sir David Skegg is the chair of the Strategic… Audio
Calling Home: Dean Treml in Luzern
Hawke's Bay native Dean Treml is a self-employed photographer who shoots mostly sports and worked for Red Bull for over 20 years, These days, he lives in the countryside in the canton of Luzern with… Audio, Gallery
What I really want for Christmas: Kirk Hope
Early in the pandemic, the government called for the creation of the world's smartest border. Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope says he's still waiting... It's on his Christmas wish list.
Angry confrontations about masks at Welly airport
The police were asked to intervene after an angry confrontation between masked and unmasked passengers at Wellington Airport this morning.
All those flying domestically are required wear a face… Audio
Covid-19: Scientist wants MIQ maintained, tighter restrictions
A science expert says wants Aotearoa's MIQ system maintained and endorses a host of tighter restrictions to prevent Omicron entering the Aotearoa community.
The infectious Covid-19 variant has been… Audio
Wellington evening commute traffic disrupted by slips
Waka Kotahi is keeping an eye out for more slips on the roads north of Wellington today.
Hundreds of motorists trying to travel northwards out of the city yesterday were stuck for hours as slips… Audio
