Health
Covid-19 vaccine reduces stroke risk - Stroke Foundation
The Stroke Foundation is urging people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to help reduce the risk of a debilitating stroke. Audio
Covid-19: Could Christmas delay vaccine for kids?
Medsafe is refusing to say whether it will hit pause on assessing Pfizer vaccines for children over the Christmas break.
Doctors say waiting longer may be no bad thing as more data filters out of the… Audio
Antivirals may come too late for outbreak's peak - experts
Covid-19 antiviral pills show promise, but experts warn they are unlikely to be available to help as the virus spreads through traffic-light New Zealand.
Covid-19: Stroke Foundation urging NZers to get vaccinated
The Stroke Foundation is urging New Zealanders to get vaccinated to against Covid-19 to help reduce the risk of a debilitating stroke.
Stroke is the largest cause of serious adult disability in this… Audio
Covid-19: Key anti-viral drugs could ease pressure, but they're a while away
As DHBs brace for an influx of Covid-19 cases, the Government is banking on oral anti-viral treatments to help ease the pressure.
However an Infectious Disease expert is warning it could take months… Audio
Top Stories for Friday 26 November 2021
National Party MPs competing for leadership; Collins and Bridges should both leave Parliament - Finlayson; Could Christmas delay vaccine for kids?; Political commentator on National's interim leader. Audio
More psychiatrists considering leaving due to conditions - survey
A union representing senior medical doctors says almost half of its psychiatrists on the job are considering quitting as demand for their services soars.
Red, green, blue, yellow? Parliament’s Covid traffic lights
Parliament has approved the traffic light system, and so Parliament must also abide by it. The Speaker, Trevor Mallard discusses the complexities for Parliament and how it will be applied. Audio
'Start with trusting us': health providers' plea as government sets out new approach
Social service and healthcare providers told the health minister about several pandemic problems before changes were announced today.
Why is Auckland moving into new protection framework at red? Ardern explains
It is just over a week until the traffic lights come on and Aotearoa moves into a new way of managing Covid in the community.
In a few days the government is set to lay out which area moves into what… Video, Audio
Rapid antigen Covid tests on pharmacy shelves in weeks
DIY Covid tests are coming to a shelf near you. Anyone will be able to buy a rapid antigen test from a pharmacy from mid December - and businesses will have access to them from next week.
The tests… Audio
Northland DHB boss quashes anti-vaxxers' rumours he's unwell
Northland DHB's boss has quashed rumours started by anti-vaxxers falsely claiming he's critically unwell after a Covid booster shot. Video, Audio
Rangatahi go door-to-door to boost Taranaki Māori vax rates
Groups of rangatahi are going door-to-door in towns and suburbs with high Māori populations in Taranaki to try to boost flagging vaccination rates.
About 77 percent of Taranaki Māori have had a first… Audio
Covid-19 infections break records as Europe's fourth wave wreaks havoc
Coronavirus infections have once again broken records in nations across Europe, prompting new curbs on movement.
Covid-19 update: 178 new community cases today, one more death
The Ministry of Health is also reporting that there are 77 people in hospital, including eight people in ICU.
Midday News for 25 November 2021
The National Party's internal ructions spill out into the public arena. Audio
Vaccine pass helpline swamped by calls as thousands eye traffic-light travel
Long waits, cut-offs, and unanswered messages are leaving callers to the Covid-19 vaccine pass helpline helpless.
Govt relying on 'goodwill and honesty' of travellers to do self-isolation
The mandatory self-isolation period for all people arriving in New Zealand from mid-January will be monitored with a light touch, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. Audio
Covid-19: Clogged vaccine pass helplines cutting off callers
More than 1.75 million vaccine passes have been issued since the My Vaccine Pass site went live a week ago.
But the helpline is being swamped, with some callers trying dozens of times a day to reach… Audio
Covid-19: Hotels looking forward to MIQ ending
Some of the country's larger hotels are looking forward to an end to their MIQ role and hoping for the return of international travellers.
This follows the government announcement yesterday of a… Audio