Covid 19
Protest has the risk of becoming a superspreader event - expert
A protest on Parliament grounds, which has entered its third day with campers staying overnight, is at risk of becoming a Covid-19 superspreader event, says an epidemiologist. Audio
UK: PM's Saville slur rumbles on
UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Kathryn to talk about the rebuke delivered to Boris Johnson over his attack on Sir Keir Starmer over Jimmy Savile, after protesters pounced on the opposition… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland restaurateur wants support
As we're reporting this morning, dozens of cafe, restaurant and venue owners in central Auckland say they are on the brink of bankruptcy, with the looming Omicron wave keeping customers away.
Yael… Audio
'It's really dire': Auckland restaurant owners plead with Finance Minister for support
Dozens of cafe, restaurant and venue owners in central Auckland say they are on the brink of bankruptcy, with the expected Omicron wave keeping customers away.
Anti-vaccine Murupara GP suspended pending further investigation
The anti-vax GP has been pushing his views on the practice's Facebook page for months, calling the vaccine "a gene therapy injection".
Covid-19: NZ-trained nurses consider leaving over visa trouble
A group of New Zealand-trained nurses - some working with Covid patients - are considering leaving the country because they can't get a visa to live here.
AK restaurant pivots to takeaway service to keep going
Hospitality businesses around the motu are trying new things, to keep themselves afloat amidst Covid-19 restrictions. After opening their doors last year, Italian and French inspired restaurant Va… Audio
Three anti-vaccine mandate protesters charged with obstruction
Police have charged three people with obstruction after a group of anti-vaccine mandate protesters tried to push through a fence on Parliament grounds.
The latest Covid-19 stories in the Pacific
Several hundred more cases of Covid in Solomon Islands; Kiribati records first Covid death; nearly 12,000 in isolation in New Caledonia, and more.
Wellington businesses keen to see protestors gone
Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Arcus has told Checkpoint he'd like to see the protests finished "as soon as possible, but making sure that's done in a way that there's not harm to… Video, Audio
Three arrested at Parliament anti-mandate protest
More than 100 police have been holding protestors at bay outside parliament on the second day of a rally against vaccination mandates.
Three people have been arrested. The protestors have set up a… Video, Audio
Hawke's Bay orchards brace for another tough season
New Zealand's biggest pip fruit region is bracing itself for another impossibly tough season.
Many in Hawke's Bay thought last year was the worst ever season - with thumping losses.
Now they fear… Audio
What life is like in Super Rugby's Queenstown bubble
Golf and swims in the lake, while staying at a top Queenstown hotel - sound like a holiday? It's actually work.
Six super rugby sides are sequestered in team bubbles for the next month in the South… Video, Audio
Luxon calls for vaccine mandate timeline, doesn't support protesters
The National Party leader says there needs to be a clear timeline with criteria set for when the country steps out of using vaccine mandates. Audio
Time for protestors to move on - Wellington mayor
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster says the Parliament protestors have made their point and its time to move on.
Video, Audio
Police hold back anti-mandate protestors at Parliament
A line of police are holding back protesters who this afternoon tried to make a dash for Parliament, in a second day of demonstrations on the front lawn of the Beehive.
Hundreds of police have formed… Video, Audio
Covid-19 update: 204 new community cases in NZ today
There are 204 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health has reported.
Paediatric doctor on children vax rates
Three weeks into the roll out of the paediatric covid-19 vaccine, 42 percent of those aged five to 11 have had their first dose.
It's lower for tamariki Māori, where 24 percent have had their first… Audio
Rural Support Trusts welcome funding boost to help sector plan for Omicron
The funding is aimed at bolstering the resources of Rural Support Trusts and other organisations to help them respond to Covid-19 cases.
New study into Covid's effects on the cardiovascular system
Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about a new study that highlights the importance of getting boosted, and another that investigated the impact of Covid on the cardiovascular… Audio
