Covid 19
Covid-19: Half of New Zealand could catch Omicron
Data modellers believe half of all New Zealanders could be infected with Omicron within four months.
The highly infectious Covid-19 variant is circulating in Auckland, and possibly in the Nelson… Audio
Covid-19: Nelson-Tasman district leaders on first time in red
Nelson Airport, two supermarkets and a car parts store in Motueka are among the locations of interest linked to 10 members in a household confirmed to have the Omicron variant.
Today the… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron is here, but is hospitality ready?
New Zealanders everywhere are waking up this morning and seeing red.
It's a red traffic light for the whole country now, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has indicated the colour won't be changing… Audio
Prof Michael Baker on health impact of Omicron in community
New Zealand is waking up to tighter Covid-19 restrictions this morning after confirmation that a family in the Nelson-Tasman region have the Omicron variant. Ten people have now tested positive in the… Audio
Kiwi scientists develop disinfection system for PPE
In the 2 years since the pandemic began more than 25-thousand tonnes of Covid-related plastic waste has polluted the oceans. But now a group of Kiwi scientists has developed a solution. It's a unit… Audio
Locations of interest linked to Omicron cases released
Flights, airports, supermarkets, and the Sky Tower are among new locations of interest linked to the confirmed community Omicron cases.
Pfizer CEO sees annual Covid vaccine rather than frequent boosters
The head of drug company Pfizer says an annual Covid-19 vaccine would be preferable to more frequent booster shots.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam defends Covid hamster cull
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has warned that Covid-19 infections could be growing exponentially due to an outbreak in pet hamsters.
Supply-chain disruption 'inevitable', but planning underway - Finance Minister
It is "inevitable" as Omicron spreads in the community there will be some impact on the supply-chain, but officials are working hard to minimise it, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says.
Festivals, PM's wedding postponed as NZ moves to red light setting
Summer festivals, events and the prime minister's wedding have had to be postponed or cancelled due to the country moving to the red traffic light setting from tonight.
Government not prepared for Omicron - Luxon
National leader Christopher Luxon says the government went into a go-slow mode around Covid-19 over the summer, and urgently needs to increase availability of rapid antigen tests.
Covid-19: NSW, Victoria introduce new measures for schools
NSW and Victorian governments have unveiled their back-to-school plans, with a focus on rapid antigen tests and masks, while they remain adamant schools will reopen on Friday.
NZ moves to red light Covid-19 setting at 11.59pm on Sunday
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that the whole of New Zealand will move into the red light Covid-19 setting at midnight tonight.
Auckland City Mission Omicron plans in place
Workers at Auckland City Mission are helping plan for food supply disruptions and staffing strain, in case Omicron spreads in the city.
Two new Covid-19 cases in Northland region
Northlanders are being encouraged to get tested for Covid-19, with two new cases confirmed in the region.
What works when tackling misinformation - report
Merriam-Webster's word of the year for 2021 was vaccine, but it could just as easily have been 'misinformation'. This nebulous thing has been front and centre since the dawn of the pandemic; most… Audio
Worst case Covid-19 scenario sees peak of 25,000 cases in South
Southern GPs have been warned they could be treating as many as 5000 Covid-19 patients a month within a matter of weeks, should an Omicron outbreak sweep across Otago and Southland.
Auckland airport worker confirmed as Omicron case, 43 new community cases
Five flights have now been linked to the Nelson Tasman cases of Covid-19.
Government 'dropped the ball' on rapid antigen test access, GP says
A South Auckland GP thinks the government has dropped the ball on ensuring doctors have access to Covid-19 rapid antigen tests.
Covid-19: New South Wales records 30 deaths, Victoria records 20
New South Wales today reported 30 Covid-19 deaths, while Victoria has recorded the deaths of 20 more people with the virus.
