Chris Hipkins

Just one community case of Covid-19 could now be enough to push the country straight into strict lockdown.

That's the warning from Government ahead of its official response this morning to a freshly… Audio

With the deadly Delta variant of Covid-19 banging at the door, the government has issued a strong warning to New Zealanders, saying it won't hesitate to plunge the country into lockdown. Covid-19… Audio

It is likely New Zealand will escalate straight to a "short, sharp" level four lockdown should any new community cases of Covid-19 emerge.

Chris Hipkins issued the stark warning on Wednesday… Video, Audio

This week in Parliament is set to be a busy one with an almost complete set of the many kinds of debate the House can have. Audio

Officials are anxiously waiting to see if Covid-19 has spread beyond a container ship berthed in Tauranga.

Mass swabbing is being carried out for the 98 workers who boarded the vessel Rio De La… Audio

Health officials are scrambling to determine the risk to the public after more than 90 stevedores worked on a ship carrying crew later found to be infected with Covid-19.

More than half of the people… Audio

What happens before parliament debates a new bill, and why does that usually happen at the fag-end of the week? Audio

Pressure is mounting on the government to review its MIQ booking processes, to make it easier for those in exceptional circumstances to come home.

Those who have travelled for medical reasons want an… Audio

Parents devastated by the impending closure of a school that catered for students with diverse needs say there's nowhere left for their children to go because they simply don't fit in the mainstream.

It is a different deal for New Zealand returnees depending on what Australian state they are in.

New South Wales is the worst hit with 136 new community Covid-19 cases in greater Sydney today, with… Audio

At 1.30 today the Prime Minister announced there would be a pause on all quarantine free travel with Australia for eight weeks. We spoke to Professor Michael Baker about that decision. Audio

The government is pressing ahead with plans to vaccinate the least vulnerable New Zealanders against Covid-19 even though only one in five people of the more at-risk group three have had their first… Audio

We turn our attention now to the country's Covid-19 vaccine rollout. More than 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer have now been given in New Zealand. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said New… Audio

Government agencies are expanding rapidly, raising fears the public sector is sucking workers away from private businesses with big money offers.

Updates from 18 departments and ministries reveal… Audio

New Zealanders are now being told not to travel to Victoria or New South Wales as the Covid-19 situation worsens across the Tasman.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says he is concerned about… Audio

Pfizer has confirmed another 1.5 million doses will arrive in New Zealand by the end of the August.

That's on top of the million being delivered over this month.

Starting on 30 July, the Vodafone… Video, Audio

There is a surprising amount of humour at Parliament, especially in the General Debate and especially as an opening riposte to the previous speaker. Audio