Chris Hipkins
Covid-19: Minister waiting on genomic sequencing for Northland mystery cases
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says they are still waiting on geonomic testing from the positive cases in Taipa.
He told Morning Report contact tracers are exploring any possible links… Audio
Covid Response Minister details alert level changes
Auckland retail should be able to fling open the doors next week, if Cabinet gives the final sign off.
The Prime Minister says the high vaccination rates in the city means the risk of spread in shops… Video, Audio
MiQ rules change, managed isolation shortened to 1 week
Fully vaccinated New Zealanders stuck overseas will not be able to return and isolate at home until at least the end of March next year. Until then Kiwis will have to continue trying their luck in the… Audio
Covid Response Minister on MIQ changes, Christchurch cases
Covid 19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins explains why he did not put Christchurch into a snap lockdown given the two positive cases.
He told Lisa Owen that requiring vaccination for those travelling… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Minister admits MIQ has weaknesses
Thousands of New Zealanders stuck overseas are pinning their hopes on today's MIQ announcement - which could improve their chances of getting back into the country.
Shorter MIQ times and isolating at… Audio
AK primary principals want more clarity on return to school
School's not quite out for summer! The Ministry of Education is looking at a staged return to class for primary school students in alert level 3 areas, with November the 15th being put forward as a… Audio
Education Minister details plan for primary schools, vaccination for children
Covid-19 Response and Education Minister Chris Hipkins has asked the Ministry of Education to work with primary schools and kura on advice for a staged return to learning.
Years 9 and 10 at Auckland… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Government promises MIQ shake-up
Stranded overseas expats could be just weeks away from securing a ticket home for Christmas.
The Government is poised to announce a shake-up to MIQ that's expected to free up more capacity for… Audio
Covid-19 Minister details Christmas possibilities under new Covid-19 alert system
Nita Blake-Persen speaks to Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins to ask whether Auckland will be in the new protection system by Christmas.
First she asks whether Northland should brace for… Video, Audio
Hipkins on seniors returning to class, Auckland restrictions
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint it is “certainly a possibility” by Christmas that Aucklanders could have more freedoms while still being restricted within the regional Covid… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Daily cases could reach 200 or higher - Chris Hipkins
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says people should prepare themselves for increasing numbers of daily cases.
On Tuesday the number of community cases reached a pandemic daily high for New… Audio
Parliament’s pre-Santa plan
The Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins, outlines Parliament's plan until Christmas, and the perfect storm of business that Covid has left in its wake. Audio
Parliament’s pre-Santa plan
The Leader of the House, Chris Hipkins, outlines Parliament's plan until Christmas, and the perfect storm of business that Covid has left in its wake.
AudioCovid-19 Minister tight-lipped on govt's new alert level system
The government is refusing to outline any vaccination targets linked with lowering lockdown restrictions until at least Friday.
Auckland will remain at alert level 1 step 3, for the next two weeks… Video, Audio
Māori and Pasifika health experts disagree with govt
Wahine Māori and Pasifika health experts warn against the New Zealand government's move away from Covid-19 elimination. Audio
Hipkins rules out level 4 'circuit-breaker' for Delta in Auckland
The government has conceded that the Delta outbreak in Auckland is not under control, even as work continues to stamp out the virus.
However, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins rules out a move… Audio
Low-risk Covid cases can soon isolate at home - Hipkins
Northland and parts of Waikato will stay in lockdown for at least another five days. Right now health authorities cannot rule out unchecked Covid-19 transmission in the community.
The stumbling block… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Education Minister on unvaccinated teachers
It's 'no jab, no job', for people working in the education sector and already a small number of teachers have said 'thanks but no thanks.'
New Zealand Principals' Federation president, Perry Rush… Audio
Covid-19: Ministry of Social development approved border crossing for Northland case - Hipkins
The Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says the Ministry of Social Development approved - and then revoked - the border exemption of two women who went to Northland from Auckland.
Both have… Audio
Hipkins details mandatory vaccination for health, education staff
Mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations will now be required for large numbers of people working in the health and education sectors by the start of the year.
Health sector workers need to be fully… Video, Audio