Health
Late Edition - 800 arrested in Melbourne
There've been four days of protests in Melbourne - leading to hundreds of arrests - they've been protesting against the lockdown and demanding a vaccine mandate for the construction industry be… Audio
Call for morning after pill to be free at pharmacies nationwide
Pharmacy charges for the emergency contraceptive pill have been wiped nearly 3000 times in two years, under a Northland pilot programme.
Covid-19 updates: Burglary, firearms charges laid after checkpoint arrests
Police made several arrests at Southern checkpoints yesterday, including a woman wanted for burglary and a man who is now facing a firearms charge. See how the rest of the day's Covid-19 news unfolded…
Emergency contraceptive pill free at Northland pharmacies
The emergency contraceptive pill, or morning after pill, normally comes at a cost of at least $40 at New Zealand pharmacies.
But across Northland, it is free. For the last two years, the DHB has… Audio
Govt's mental health delivery review sparks political tit-for-tat
The government has been handed a good report card for its work in the mental health system but has been criticised by the opposition for reviewing itself.
The Implementation Unit is housed in the… Audio
Covid-19 vaccine rollout leader pushes for more Māori, Pasifika vaccinated
Auckland has cracked a vaccination milestone; 81 percent of the eligible population's had one dose of Pfizer.
There is a push this weekend to get more vaccinated. The carrot is a possible alert level… Video, Audio
Most 2019 Budget mental health intiatives on track - review
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said a stocktake of the $1.9 billion mental health package found strong progress had been made since its announcement.
Covid-19: End to lockdown in sight for NSW as it nears 60% double dosed
Victoria will miss its 80 percent first dose target, while 11 October is firming as the date NSW will come out of lockdown. Meanwhile, both states report hundreds more cases.
Covid-19 briefing: Upper Hauraki to move to alert level 2
The Upper Hauraki area will join most of New Zealand in alert level 2 after no further positive results, the deputy prime minister has confirmed. Watch the government's latest Covid-19 briefing here.
Covid-19 update: Nine new community cases reported today
The number of new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand has dropped to single figures for the first time in weeks, with nine new cases, the Ministry of Health has reported.
Māori and Pasifika more vulnerable in Covid outbreak
Modelling showing as many as 7,000 New Zealanders could die if we dropped most Covid restrictions when only 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, has been criticised as fearmongering.
But one… Audio
Midday News for 24 September 2021
Murder charges laid over the death of Lena Zhang Harrap, and tougher safety rules for adventure tourism after the deadly Whakaari eruption. Audio
New Zealand to donate more Covid-19 vaccines to the Pacific
New Zealand is donating more Covid-19 vaccines to the Pacific and to the Covax initiative which supports global equitable access to vaccines. Audio
Why are Kiwi kids still getting rickets?
Despite prescriptions for Vitamin D supplements being on the rise, around 20 children each year are being hospitalised for rickets, a condition which affects bone development. Endocrinologist and… Audio
Modeller stands by government's Covid-19 data release amid criticism
A Covid-19 modeller has described the government's release of data on vaccination, disease and deaths rates as a side show causing unnecessary fear. Audio
Andrew Little on new 10 year plan for mental wellbeing
The Health Minister Andrew Little talks with Kathryn Ryan about the pathway forward for mental health. He is due to release a stock-take into how much of the $1.9 billion for mental health in the 2019… Audio
Covid-19: Lockdown loneliness in Auckland, and how to cope
Another long lockdown in Auckland is making it harder for older people to avoid loneliness.
Social isolation was already a major problem before the pandemic. National surveys of 40,000 pensioners… Audio
Covid-19: Shaun Hendy stands by vaccination modelling
Covid-19 modeller Shaun Hendy says it's important to discuss the potential of severe health consequences if restrictions are lifted.
New modelling data shows if just 80 percent of the country's over… Audio
Covid-19: Hauraki Plains switches from testing to vaccination mode
A Hauraki Plains health organisation Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki is pivoting from Covid-19 tests to a vaccine push on two marae this weekend.
The area went into lockdown after three members of a… Audio
Covid-19: Scaring people into getting vaccinated won't work - Jones
A claim yesterday that there could be 7000 deaths if only 80 percent of those over age five are vaccinated for Covid-19 is proving controversial.
Health authorities in Auckland are working overtime… Audio