Nita Blake Persen
Govt defends MIQ as 'proportionate to risks NZ faced' in court
'Proportionate to the risks the country faced'. The defence the government put up today over a legal challenge of its MIQ system, and the limitations it put on offshore New Zealanders.
The Grounded… Audio
Grounded Kiwis' MIQ case against govt reaches High Court
The 'foundational right' of New Zealanders to return to their country is at the core of a legal battle being fought over the MIQ system.
The case, being taken by the group Grounded Kiwis against the… Video, Audio
Families in motels brace for border opening
As Aotearoa's border reopening edges closer, families living in motels fear the country's housing crisis is about to get a whole lot worse. Audio
Govt eyes shake-up of ambulance sector as shortages continue
The government is eyeing a shake-up of the ambulance sector as staffing and funding issues continue to plague St John.
The charity runs the majority of New Zealand's ambulance service, but has been… Audio
No relief for renters, first home buyers in hot property market
The red hot property market is continuing to push new records, and there's no relief in sight for desperate renters and first home hunters.
Latest Corelogic figures show residential property values… Audio
Emergency services warn Omicron will make staff shortages worse
Emergency services could be facing their own 111 crisis with a warning; they too could be hit by the Omicron outbreak, with already strained staff facing another massive challenge.
Thousands of… Audio
Internal review launched over MSD spending on private rentals
The Minister of Social Development has launched an internal review after she missed several red flags around multimillion dollar spending on private rentals for the homeless.
The Auditor-General this… Video, Audio
Northland checkpoints start smoothly as border reopens
Northland's checkpoints started smoothly today, with last minute background checks holding up some Tai Tokerau Border Control workers the only speed bump.
Thousands of cars heading north passed… Video, Audio
Auditor-General scolds govt over 'unlivable' rentals
The government shelled out $37 million for private rentals to house the homeless, but is being slammed for having no checks on whether homes were suitable or worth the massive price tags.
A scathing… Audio
Northland big cat sanctuary claws back to better than before
A Northland big cat sanctuary which has been closed to the public for nearly eight years is preparing to roar back into life tomorrow - this time with strict safety measures in place.
Whangārei's… Video, Audio
Novel idea to get books to young Northland readers a success
A novel idea to get more books to new Northland readers is proving to be a roaring success.
The Whangārei Hidden Books initiative is pretty much as it sounds - kids' books are tucked away in spots… Audio
Some Whangārei outlets adapt to keep serving unvaccinated in traffic light system
Some Northland businesses are refusing to stop serving unvaccinated customers, instead adapting the new traffic light framework to cater to everyone.
Checkpoint reporter Nita Blake-Persen has the… Audio
Event organisers face tough decisions with regions in red level
The brakes could be on major summer festivals after the government revealed red lights for their regions in the new traffic light system.
Nita Blake-Persen reports. Audio
Travellers to Northland warned they'll be sent home if they get Covid
Anyone making the trip to Northland this summer is being warned they'll likely be sent home if they get Covid - as the region's resources will be stretched to the limit.
Te Tai Tokerau's bracing for… 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
Foodstuffs to make rapid antigen testing available to staff
Supermarket giant Foodstuffs says it wants to make rapid antigen tests available to staff across its stores, after it participated in a successful trial of the Covid-19 tests. While they're not as… Audio
Rapid Covid-19 tests could be widely used over summer holidays
Slip, slop, slap and swab could be the new summer checklist as the government prepares to roll out rapid Covid tests in holiday hot spots.
A government pilot of the antigen tests is proving to be a… Audio
Whangārei on high alert as local Covid case discovered
A Covid case in the Whangārei suburb of Otangarei has health authorities on high alert, with fears it could be a 'timebomb' waiting to go off.
The positive case spent a week in the community before… Audio
Closure of Marsden Pt oil refinery confirmed
The final nail is in the coffin for New Zealand's only oil refinery.
Refining NZ today confirmed Marsden Point will close next year and instead move to an import only terminal.
That will end 60… Audio
Covid battle takes to the skies with flights featuring Māori Battalion
As Aotearoa wages a war against Covid, there's a new battle to get vaccine rates up on the East Coast.
The descendants of the Māori Battalion are being invited to aerodromes on Saturday to get… Video, Audio