Covid 19
Covid-19: Tourism operators await border announcement
Tourism operators are waiting with bated breath for the government's plans to fast-track the border reopening. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is due to make an announcement today. Queenstown is one of… Audio
Covid-19: Hunters warned to be mindful of mental state
Hunters are being asked to monitor their state of mind, as well as their equipment, before they start heading to the hills in numbers from this week.
The Firearm Safety Council is anticipating that… Audio
Covid-19: How are South Auckland schools managing?
Daily reported Covid-19 cases are on the rise again, after a week-long dip in numbers. Counties Manukau DHB has the highest number of active cases in Auckland.
Meanwhile, only 67 per cent of the… Audio
Covid-19: BA.2 takes charge as NZ's dominant strain
The highly-contagious Covid-19 Omicron subvariant BA.2 has taken charge as the dominant strain in Aotearoa.
Director general health Ashley Bloomfield says BA.2 comprises nearly 80 percent of recent… Audio
New initiative to help support rural practices and hospitals
It will help fill short-term staffing gaps in rural practices and hospitals due to Covid-19 illness and isolation requirements.
Tourism industry eager for border announcement
As we have been reporting this morning, The Prime Minister is expected to today announce when many Covid-19 restrictions will ease or stop altogether once we're past the peak of Omicron.
That would… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland schools at centre of outbreak
Auckland remains the epicentre of the Omicron outbreak and schools dealing with a peak in cases are rostering off year groups or shutting their doors to wait it out.
Figures from the Ministry of… Audio
Covid-19: What New Zealand could look like after Omicron's peak
In just a matter of weeks, New Zealand may no longer have gatherings limits, vaccine passes or most mandates.
The Prime Minister has said these restrictions will ease or stop altogether once we're… Audio
'Running scared': 97% of schools in three regions dealing with impact of virus
The Ministry of Education says 170 of the Whanganui, Manawatū and Taranaki's 176 primary, intermediate and secondary schools reported cases among students or staff in the 10 days to Monday.
How Covid-19 restrictions might change after NZ's Omicron peak
The government today outlines its plan for a fast-tracked border reopening, and will soon decide what happens to vaccine passes and mandates after the Omicron peak.
Covid-19: Givealittle for Parliament's damaged slide reaches $21k
Wednesday marks two weeks since the protest at Parliament came to a violent end after 23 days.
Standing among the ruined grounds is Parliament's $500,000 playground - a slide that was damaged in a… Audio
Tourism operators keen for border reopen announcement today
Later today The government is expected to announce that they are bringing forward the date at which the country's borders reopen to international visitors. Our tourism operators are, as you'd expect… Audio
Tourism operators hoping for international travellers by Easter
Tourism operators are hopeful the border could be open in time for Aussies to eat our hot cross buns this Easter.
The Prime Minister is due to announce plans to fast-track the reopening of the border… Audio
What will the 'stealth' Omicron sub-variant mean during colder winter months?
Analysis - With influenza infections at record lows due to the social distancing phase of the pandemic, Australia is in uncharted waters as it approaches winter with a new Omicron sub-variant in play.
Whangārei tries to lure people back to CBD with free parking
Whangārei is on its own mission to bring people back into the CBD - its parking meters are out of action for the next six weeks in a bid to lure people back.
Omicron's keeping people away from… Video, Audio
Wellington CBD suffers further as isolations keep people away
Wellington businesses are being hit with another setback, just two weeks after the capital came to a standstill because of the anti-mandate protest at Parliament.
Locals told our reporter Soumya… Video, Audio
Evening business for Tuesday 15 March 2022
News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6300703803001 Video, Audio
Queues grow for passports as borders reopen
The stampede is on for passports, but beware you may have to wait.
After two years of border restrictions, New Zealanders can now travel off shore and return without having to isolate, as long as… Video, Audio
Public transport fares to be halved, but some ferries not included
The cost of taking a train, bus or ferry will soon be temporarily halved to help counter the rising cost of living but not all commuters expect to rake in the savings.
Public transport fares across… Audio
Picton reserve in ‘better shape’ than first thought after anti-mandate occupation
The aftermath of a three-week-long occupation at Picton's Nelson Square - which some worried would cause major damage to the green space - is not as bad as previously thought.