Covid 19
Tokelauans refute anti-vax narrative of community affairs
Tokelau village leaders refute anti-vax narrative of community affairs. Audio
New Omicron sub-variant BA 2.75 spreading in new wave
Latest figures show there are over 10 thousand new cases of Covid-19 so far and 21 deaths, another sign the current wave of Covid is spreading ... and fast. Notably, two of the new cases reported are… Audio
Prime Minister criticised for crowded, maskless photo
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark is among those criticising a photo of Jacinda Ardern, where the Prime Minister and nearly 120 Youth MPs are maskless.
Dr Bloomfield's advice for NZers planning events through winter
As New Zealand grapples with a new surge of Omicron, the Director General of Health has offered some gentle advice to anyone planning events over the next six weeks.
He suggests postponing - if… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Health leaders give update, reveal change to the way deaths are reported
Deaths within 28 days of a Covid-19 infection will still be publicly recorded, but the Ministry of Health will separate out the total where death was as a result, or contributed to, by the virus.
Masterton Mayor wants unmasked not served in shops
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson is calling on businesses in the area to stop serving people who aren't wearing masks indoors to bring down high rates of winter illness in Wairarapa.
The local hospital… Audio
Covid testing stations see high demand for free RATs, masks
Testing stations are seeing more and more demand for RATs and masks, now that they're free for everyone - regardless of whether they have symptoms.
There's also been increased demand for PCR tests as… Video, Audio
Waning Covid immunity, new variants mean 'rough ride' ahead - immunologist
An immunologist is warning "we're in for a rough ride" as new Covid-19 variants and waning immunity make it more likely people will be infected or reinfected with the virus. Audio
Business owners feel positive about wellbeing most of the time - study
The mental health of business owners has been surprisingly resilient following a challenging couple of years, according a new report.
Australia-based epidemiologist on NZ's Covid-19 measures
It seems New Zealanders are better at masking up compared with our Australian counterparts.
University of Melbourne Epidemiology Professor Tony Blakely has been visiting New Zealand, and says mask… Audio
Covid-19: Omicron BA.5 can reinfect faster
The Ministry of Health says the highly-transmissible BA.5 subvariant of Omicron will become the dominant strain of the virus in New Zealand in a matter of weeks. Yesterday there were nearly… Audio
'We see the data, we see the challenges' - Little defends health system
Health Minister Andrew Little admits waiting times at the Emergency Department are getting longer but says health entities are doing all they can to make improvements.
Four fires in seven months in emergency accommodation
A group opposing emergency housing on Rotorua's motel strip says a fourth fire in seven months is unacceptable.
Covid-19: How are Australia and NZ managing the rising winter wave?
There's a real risk in both countries that current policy settings will be insufficient to prevent health services being overwhelmed, write professors Tony Blakely and Michael Baker.
Pandemic leads to sustained backslide in childhood vaccinations - Unicef
The agency is warning of dire health implications after about 25 million children globally missed out on routine immunisations last year.
Most people don't see 'sharp end of Covid-19' in hospitals and mortuaries
Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations are surging across the motu, but lackadaisical mask wearing is becoming increasingly common, concerning public health specialists.
Three pints and a case of Covid, thanks
In the middle of a pandemic, how dangerous is dropping your mask and downing a few beers in a bar? Are you risking a side of Covid with your cocktail?
Mask up, save lives through winter Covid surge - health experts
Mask up and save lives - that's the message from experts and your average punter as Covid cases and hospitalisations surge across the motu.
Even as Covid accounts for about one in ten deaths in New… Audio
Covid-19 update: 10,470 new community cases, 16 more deaths
There have been 10,470 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and a further 16 deaths with the virus reported today, the Ministry of Health says.
Workplace shortages see Tegel staff internally redeployed
Volunteers from the company's head office, including accountants, planners and IT workers, have been drafted in to boost numbers on the production line due to the 'unprecedented' number of workers off…
