Covid 19
Differing views on vaccine passes in Napier and Hastings
Napier's council is saying little on whether it will mandate vaccine passes at most of its public facilities, despite its twin city Hastings doing it with a growing number of cases in the region.
Murupara doctor suspended from Friday
Murupara's GP of 30 years standing, Dr Bernard Conlon, is to be suspended from practising medicine as of Friday.
National Party calls for 'change in mindset' to cope with Omicron
National is calling for a new strategy as New Zealand prepares for a wave of Omicron cases, including opening the border immediately to fully vaccinated New Zealanders and twice weekly rapid antigen…
How are Wellingtonians living under Omicron?
Two years into the pandemic and with Omicron expected to be widespread in the community soon, New Zealanders are adapting to a 'new normal'.
Our reporters Soumya Bhamidipati and Samuel Rillstone took… Video, Audio
Farmers desperate for machinery workers before cows go hungry
Two weeks - that's the deadline a rural contractor is setting the government to follow through with their December promise to allow 200 skilled machinery operators into the country to help with the… Video, Audio
Iwi eye back-country stations in bid to lift Māori vaccination rate
A mobile Covid-19 team in Rangitīkei will head into back-block farm stations in the drive to close the vaccination gap for Māori as the country braces for Omicron.
NZ secures enough RATs to deal with widespread outbreak - Deputy PM
Watch: A total of 123 million rapid antigen tests have been ordered through to June, and the government says it has enough on order to deal with a widespread outbreak.
NZ performance at World Trade Expo cancelled after dance crew members get Covid-19
One of New Zealand's key performances at the World Trade Expo has been unable to go ahead after members of Parris Goebel's Royal Family Dance Crew tested positive for Covid-19.
Covid-19 update: 126 new community cases, 79 in MIQ
Today's new community cases are in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, and Canterbury.
Climate change denial akin to anti-vax misinformation spread
Dr Kevin Trenberth is an internationally recognised expert on climate change and honorary academic at the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland. He talks to Jesse about how misinformation… Audio
After the peak: What's next after the Omicron wave turns?
As New Zealand waits for the predicted surge in Omicron cases, Australia may have reached the peak of its wave. The ABC's Maani Truu looks at what's in store for Australia next.
Covid-19: outdoor mask use - lessons from Australia
It was a beautiful day in Te Whanganui-a-Tara yesterday -- and the small city beach at Oriental Bay was crowded with people seeking relief from the heat.
But masks and physical distancing were… Audio
Covid-19: govt contemplates future of the border
Government ministers are expected to discuss the future of border controls and the managed isolation system at today's Cabinet meeting.
While the settings have helped slow Covid-19 from entering the… Audio
Border delays and a crash in house prices are the main risks facing the economy - OECD
The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development's survey of the country says the economy is starting to overheat having been supported by government support measures to counter the pandemic. Audio
Avalanche of Covid-19 cases predicted in Otago and Southland with arrival of Omicron
Otago and Southland can expect more than 18,000 cases of Covid-19 this year, 70 percent of which are likely to occur in March and April, new modelling suggests.
Cabinet ministers to finalise dates for reopening borders
Ministers have been reviewing the dates for border reopening and RNZ understands Cabinet will finalise, but not announce, the plan today. Audio
Concern mask mandate will impede learning for deaf students
Mask mandates in schools may prove difficult for some deaf or hard of hearing students who rely on visual cues, advocates say.
Covid-19:Families prepare for aged care closures
Families across Aotearoa are making contingency plans for relatives in aged care after an Auckland rest home's suspected close call with the highly-infectious Omicron variant.
Summerset by the Park… Audio
Covid-19: MIQ 'hell on earth' - single mum
A single mother of two has described MIQ as hell on earth.
After spending Christmas in Melbourne the Katie Lutshesko and her two sons returned to New Zealand and had what she said was a lovely… Audio
Masks in school a challenge for deaf and hard of hearing students
Deaf and hard of hearing advocates say mask mandates in schools may prove difficult for some students who rely on visual cues.
Teachers and students in year four and above must now wear a mask inside… Audio
