Coronavirus
Auckland Covid numbers dropping but warnings it's not over
The number of Covid cases in Auckland is now a third of what it was at the peak of the city's outbreak.
The Northern Region Health Coordination Centre says the number has been declining consistently… Audio
Govt 'pulling rug' from under vulnerable - NZers with disabilities
Some of the country's most at-risk people say the government is trading off their safety by easing restrictions so soon.
From April 5, vaccine passports will not be required anymore - and many… Audio
Covid: Omicron rates now highest among Māori
Omicron cases have surged among Māori, with tangata whenua now having the highest rates.
As another pandemic inequity emerges, the health ministry is again defending its response for Māori.
Jamie… Audio
Fans welcomed back to sports stadiums as Covid limits change
Sports fans are being welcomed back to stadiums from this weekend.
There are no limits on attendance at outdoor Super Rugby and Cricket World Cup games - but numbers at indoor netball venues will… Audio
Hipkins comfortable with unvaccinated staff returning to school
The government is scrapping Covid mandates for teachers despite low vaccination rates among primary aged children.
In a loosening of Covid restrictions, from Saturday there will be no outdoor… Video, Audio
Primary principals respond to scrapping of vaccine mandates
The government is scrapping compulsory vaccination for teachers and school staff next month.
Mandates are also going for Police, Defence Force and businesses operating operating vaccine passes from… Video, Audio
Auckland hospitality responds to Covid restriction changes
Hospitality businesses say they've been ''thrown a bone" with the rule changes - but fear they'll make little difference.
They'll soon be able to have 200 people in premises - but still with the… Video, Audio
PM Jacinda Ardern announces loosening of Covid restrictions
The country's Covid-19 restrictions have been significantly loosened with most vaccine mandates and passes scrapped.
The government's also ditched capacity limits for outdoor gatherings and the… Audio
Deltacron: Should we be worried about the new variant?
The words 'Delta' and 'Omicron' are as common as bread and butter these days, but what about their lesser known offspring Deltacron?
It's a combination of the two viruses that has been detected in… Video, Audio
Health Ministry considering fourth Covid shot for some NZers
Some people may soon be asked to roll up their sleeve for a fourth Covid vaccine.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says he's taking expert advice and any decision would be up to the… Audio
Michael Baker, other experts, urge govt to keep Covid controls
A group of public health experts is calling on the government to slow down on loosening Covid restrictions.
Te Pirimia Jacinda Ardern is due to make an announcement on Wednesday about vaccine passes… Video, Audio
Online job board helps weddings go without a hitch in pandemic
It's a nightmare scenario for a couple just before their wedding day: the photographer, the makeup artist or the celebrant tests positive for Covid and there's a mad scramble to find a replacement.
… Video, Audio
Auckland hospital intensive care doctor on Covid situation
There's 930 people in hospital with Covid today; 23 of them in ICU or a high dependency unit.
And the death curve is steepening, 10 reported today, bringing the total number of Covid related deaths… Video, Audio
Evening business for Thursday 17 March 2022
News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6300929836001 Video, Audio
Cruise sector boss assures ships safer than before
The welcome mat's out for tourists but not if they are arriving by cruise ship.
Vaccinated Australian visitors can fly to New Zealand from April 13 without having to isolate. It's May 2 for visa… Video, Audio
Glaciers area looks forward to border reopening
South Westland businesses say the border reopening dates mean they can start edging out of survival mode after two years of hanging on by their fingernails.
Close to 400 jobs were lost in the area… Audio
Omicron: Auckland hospitals missing nearly a quarter of staff some days
Auckland's hospitals have been missing up to a quarter of their staff some days during the Covid outbreak.
After weeks of stories of stresses from the shop floor because of doctor and nurse… Audio
Auckland welcomes return of travellers, but staff urgently need
It's the news Auckland's downtown has been longing for - tourism is coming back, and sooner than expected.
Vaccinated Australians are now welcome from April 13.
Vaccinated travellers from other… Video, Audio
Netball: Pulse face first ANZ Premiership match after Covid cases
Covid is running through the Super Rugby teams - with all three games postponed this weekend because of cases in the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders.
There'll now just be one game this weekend -… Audio
Warriors fans waiting until July for NRL game in Auckland
Warriors fans will still have to wait until July to see an NRL game played in Auckland, despite the government's decision to allow Australians into the country early.
Club chief executive Cameron… Audio