Nita Blake Persen
National distances itself from ex-MP after video with discredited academic
The National Party is distancing itself from a former MP who has questioned the effectiveness of the Covid vaccine in a lengthy video that has been labelled dangerous.
Matt King was National's MP in… Audio
Māori health providers drive tough roads to bring vaccine to Northland whānau
Māori health providers in Tai Tokerau are sprinting to boost lagging vaccine rates as community cases in the rohe rise.
Another two cases have emerged in Kaikohe today and a baby has been admitted to… Audio
Far North nervously waits to see if Covid has spread
Far North communities are nervously waiting to see if Covid has been spreading unchecked through their towns.
The top of the motu is in level 3 lockdown as health officials work to trace any links… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Tighter restrictions in Far North after two unlinked cases
A loose border is isolating the uppermost tip of the North Island, which is now in Alert Level 3.
The government shifted part of the Far North into the tighter restrictions after two cases in the… Audio
Latest details as Far North enters level 3 restrictions
Checkpoint reporter Nita Blake-Persen is in Kawakawa with the latest details on the lockdown announcement.
Video, Audio
Conspiracy theorist disrupts govt's $4.6m pledge for iwi-led vaccination work in Northland
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took the vaccination drive to Northland today, an area lagging behind in vaccination rates.
But her media conference was derailed by a man claiming to be a journalist -… Video, Audio
Rising rate of children living in motels a 'moral failure' - National
The skyrocketing number of children living in motels is being called a 'moral failure' by the National party.
There was an increase of 280 tamariki in motels in the three months to September - now… Audio
More children living in motels as housing crisis unrelenting
The government is running out of motels to place families in as the housing crisis reaches record levels, with children among those hardest hit.
There are now 4512 children living in motels - an… Audio
Major expansion of workplace vaccination mandate announced
The government has announced a major expansion of its vaccine mandate. Workers employed by businesses that require customers to present a vaccine certificate will also need to be fully immunised.
… Audio
Employer says man with Covid-19 on Waiheke can't be trusted, breached health orders
An Auckland man who travelled to Waiheke Island after testing positive for Covid-19 will be allowed to remain on the island, despite allegedly breaching multiple health orders.
The case is the first… Video, Audio
Northland returns to alert level 2 as no new Delta cases
Northland will move down to alert level 2 at 11:59pm Tuesday, after widespread testing failed to find any sign of Covid Delta in the community.
The region moved to alert level 3 just over two weeks… Video, Audio
Wage subsidies: Serious Fraud Office probing claims of abuse
The serious fraud office has started looking into businesses which may have abused the wage subsidy scheme.
More than three billion dollars has been paid out in the latest round of subsidies.
The… Audio
MP and GP, Dr Shane Reti helps vaccinate locals in Northland
A new Northland town has popped up as a Covid-19 location of interest.
The AA driver and vehicle licensing centre in Kerikeri is believed to be linked to the two Auckland women who travelled North… Audio
Fears of Delta spread in Northland after second woman positive
There are fears Covid may be spreading undetected in Northland after a second woman who visited illegally from Auckland tested positive for the virus.
She was tracked down by police officers last… Audio
Northland frustrated as Covid-19 case avoids authorities
Northland will stay in level three until at least Thursday. Residents there are becoming increasingly frustrated as they try to figure out the movements of a Covid positive Auckland woman who visited… Video, Audio
Northland enters level 3 lockdown - latest from Whangārei
Checkpoint reporter Nita Blake Persen is in Whangārei. She talks to Lisa Owen as the region enters another level 3 lockdown.
Video, Audio
Tai Tokerau waits to see if Covid-19 has spread from positive case
Tai Tokerau whānau are nervously waiting to see if the region has escaped any Covid spread after a positive case visited the region.
The Ministry of Health has yet to release any locations of… Audio
Waiheke, Aotea restricted to residents only in new level 3 rules
Waiheke and Aotea Great Barrier islands are out of bounds for Aucklanders wanting to get out of the city under eased lockdown restrictions.
Borders are being put in place, meaning only residents and… Audio
Waiheke locals urge border for island as Auckland restrictions ease
Waiheke Islanders want to break from Auckland's lockdown and bring in a localised border.
The island has never had a case of Covid-19, and locals fear that the easing of alert level restrictions… Audio
Northland expects to be hit hard as Auckland border remains
Businesses in Te Tai Tokerau are feeling the strain as Auckland's closed border keeps visitors at bay.
News the city's checkpoints will stay during level 2 has been tough to take for many Northland… Audio