New Zealand

Covid update Feb 5: 243 new cases

More than 66,000 boosters were administered yesterday, the record number so far.

Covid update Feb 4: 209 community cases

Māori across Aotearoa will soon reach 90 percent partial vaccination today.

Covid update Feb 3: 147 new community cases

People going away for Waitangi weekend should have Covid-19 safety plans in place.

New Zealand's borders set to reopen in stages

The border will reopen in stages, starting from February 27. By October, it will open to everyone.

Covid update Feb 2: 142 new cases

6 people are in hospital with the virus.

Celebrating Lunar New Year without your family sucks

But it's not all doom and gloom, Sidney Wong writes.

More rapid antigen tests for New Zealand

New Zealanders will have access to more than 55 million rapid antigen tests in the next few months.

New gun law changes come into force today

Police Minister Poto Williams says the reforms reflect that owning a gun is a privilege not a right.

Covid update Jan 31: 91 new cases, more cases linked to Soundsplash

Covid-19 cases in Tairāwhiti have been linked to Soundsplash festival.

Prime minister tests negative for Covid-19

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was exposed to Covid-19 while on a flight.

Covid update Jan 30: 103 new cases, 1 death

A further 40 cases in Auckland are to be reported tomorrow due to technical issues.

Soundsplash festival worker says ‘only a handful’ of vendors wearing masks

An event worker at Soundsplash says they weren’t advised of Covid-19 protocols before the festival.

Govt's plan to tackle Omicron

The plan, which has three phases, aims to slow down and limit the spread of an Omicron outbreak.

Covid update Jan 26: 23 community cases, 15 new Omicron cases

There are 56 community cases that have been confirmed or suspected of being the Omicron variant.

Tougher mask rules, increase in Covid-19 testing capacity

New mask rules means no more scarves, bandanas or t-shirts pulled up over the nose.

Covid update Jan 24: 25 new Covid-19 cases

There are eight new cases of Omicron today.

Covid update Jan 23: 24 new cases

Sunday January 23

There are 24 new cases of Covid-19 today.

Of these, 2 are in Northland, 16 are in Auckland, 1 is in Waikato, and 5 are…

All of New Zealand is moving to Red at midnight tonight

The Omicron variant is beginning to spread in the community.

Covid update Jan 22: 43 new community cases

No-one is needing intensive care right now.

Life with Omicron overseas: What we need to prepare for

As Omicron arrives in the country, expats explain how they're living with it.

Covid update Jan 21: 23 new cases, Omicron case in Palmerston North

There is one new possible Omicron case in Auckland.

Covid update Jan 20: 39 new community cases

Genome sequencing is underway to identify new Covid-19 cases of concern.

Big Gay Out 2022 cancelled due to Omicron threat

Big Gay Out has been cancelled due to the threat of a potential Omicron outbreak in the community.

  • 19 Jan 22

Covid update Jan 17: 16 new cases, tamariki vaccinations begin

An investigation into how a MIQ worker became infected with the Omicron variant continues.

Covid update Jan 16: 25 new community cases

Auckland MIQ worker has Omicron

Covid update Jan 15: 29 new community cases

29 people are in hospital

Covid update Jan 14: 18 new community cases

More than 41,000 booster shots were administered yesterday.

Cook Islands travel bubble reopens

Vaccinated people can now travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Covid update Jan 13: 28 community cases

A technical error which delayed Covid tracer app notifications has been fixed.

Northern Bass festival cancelled

"To be very blunt, it's been a f**ker of a year," the organisers wrote on social media.