Covid 19

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult is gearing up to welcome Alert Level 2 and easing of travel restrictions with an iconic Kiwi activity to start to the morning - a Bungy Jump.

Queenstown Lakes has been one… Audio

The inhabitants of New Zealand's zoos have gone without their usual stream of visitors for the past seven weeks.

That's set to change, as zoos and wildlife parks reopen under Alert Level 2.

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It's been a difficult seven weeks for many New Zealanders during the nationwide lockdown. But for Dave Finlay, a homeless man living out of his car in Wellington, it's been particularly difficult.

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Government ministers were forced into a climbdown over tangi and funeral rules which initially restricted attendees to a maximum of ten people at a time.

It is now set at 50 people, but the funeral… Audio

Authorities now have sweeping powers to enforce Covid-19 restrictions.

Legislation - pushed through under urgency - passed its final reading in Parliament last night with the National Party and ACT… Audio

The international screen industry is turning its focus to New Zealand as a safe location, thanks to its success - so far - in containing Covid-19.

It's hoped other sectors hit hard by the pandemic -… Audio

Traffic will be picking up around the country this morning on the first day of Alert Level 2.

While schools don't fully open until next Monday, thousands will be returning to work today for the first… Audio

As the country emerges from a frozen economy, the government must decide how much to tax and how much to spend.

In today's budget, Finance Minister Grant Robertson will lay out his plan to get New… Audio

From today you'll be able to go shopping, dine in at a restaurant or cafe, go to the library or the gym, and take your kids to the playground as the country enters Alert Level 2.

The last two days… Audio

It's the first morning of Alert Level 2 after nearly seven weeks of strict lockdown protocols in New Zealand.

This means most people can go back to work with almost all businesses except for bars… Audio

The Wellington-based company Weta Digital is one of the few major visual effects facilities around the world to remain open, with Covid-19 hitting the industry hard overseas.

As its executive… Audio

It's a Budget Day unlike any other. The government won't be unveiling its economic plans for the year, but the first step in its plan to start picking up the pieces left by Covid-19.

Entitled… Audio

For some people, today marks the end of online workouts and backyard burpees.

Gyms are allowed to reopen under level two - though must adhere to the social distancing guidelines, and the limit of… Audio

The tables are well apart from each other, everything has been thoroughly cleaned, and the doors will open at 7.30 this morning.

Now that the country has moved to Alert Level 2, the staff at Fidel's… Audio

It's time for New Zealanders to get out and spend cash like tourists.

That's the message from a new campaign in Canterbury.

It follows a separate survey that says two of every three businesses in… Audio

Wine regions are preparing for tougher times as a lack of overseas visitors creates a big hole in vineyard sales.

Many wineries plan to open with the shift to level two today.

As Jonathan Mitchell… Audio

The end of Alert Level 3 will also mean the end to seven weeks of working from home for a number of people.

Work places are still required to maintain physical distancing for staff and some workers… Audio

Lockdown has been an extended period of reflection for New Zealand's team of 5 million. So what have we learned about ourselves and how we want to live our lives? RNZ In Depth reporter Teresa Cowie…

MPs have worked on Covid-19 related bills under urgency shortening a process from months to hours. Audio