Covid-19

Covid update March 12: 18,699 new cases, 7 deaths

This brings the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in New Zealand to 105.

Covid update March 10: 21,015 cases, record high of 845 hospitalisations

There are now more people in hospital with Covid-19 than at any other point over the last two years.

Most MIQ facilities to close by end of June

By the end of June, 28 of the current 32 MIQ facilities will return to being hotels.

Covid update March 9: 22,545 new community cases, four deaths

There are currently 742 people with Covid-19 in hospital, 19 of them are in ICU or HDU.

Covid-19 isolation time shortened from 10 to seven days

The isolation length for Covid-19 cases and household contacts will soon decrease.

Rhythm and Vines Easter event cancelled

The Rhythm and Vines music festival in Gisborne has been cancelled.


Covid update March 6: 15,161 cases

618 people are in hospital. There has been one death reported today.

Covid update March 5: 18,833 new community cases, 10 in ICU

There are 597 in hospital, and five new deaths to report today.

Covid update March 4: Five deaths, 22,527 cases

There are 562 people in hospital. Of these, 11 are in ICU or HDU.

Covid update March 3: 23,183 cases

85 percent of today’s community cases were detected by a Rapid Antigen Test.

The day after: Parliament protest

Parliament grounds are closed but police say locals are free to move about nearby streets.

Fire on Parliament grounds, 60 arrested as Police remove protestors

Police have demolished tents and cleared the grounds.

Covid Update March 2: 22,152 new community cases, 10 people in ICU

There are now 405 in hospital. Of these, 10 people are in ICU.

New Zealand gets third Covid-19 vaccine

New Zealanders will soon be able to access a third Covid-19 vaccine, Novavax, this month.

Self-isolation rules for vaccinated travellers to end, border dates changed

From Wednesday evening, vaccinated travellers coming to NZ don't need to self-isolate.

Covid update Feb 28: Unvaccinated people more commonly being hospitalised for Covid-19

Unvaccinated people are four-times overrepresented in Covid-19 hospitalisations.

The anti-mandate protesters stuck in the South Island

They’d like to join the larger protest at Parliament, but they can’t get on a boat.

Covid update Feb 26: 13,606 new cases, 263 people in hospital

The protest at Parliament is a 'potential super spreader event'.

Covid update Feb 25: over 12,000 new cases today

There are 12,011 new community cases of Covid-19 today.

Covid update Feb 24: 6137 new community cases

There are 205 people in hospital, and one person has died.

Why it's taking so long to get your Covid-19 test result

But good news: Rapid Antigen Tests are available from today.

Covid update February 23: New Zealand hits a record high with 3297 cases

This is the first time New Zealand's Covid-19 case numbers have passed 3000.

Person arrested after trying to drive car into police during anti-mandate protest

Three officers need medical care after being sprayed with an unknown substance by protesters.

Covid-19 mandates and restrictions to ease once Omicron outbreak passes peak

The prime minister says now is not the time "to remove armour" just as the Covid-19 battle begins.

Covid Update Feb 21: 2,365 new community cases and 2 deaths

There are 116 people currently in hospital.

Covid update Feb 20: 2522 new community cases

Rapid antigen tests will be made available to certain people on Monday.

Covid update Feb 19: 1901 new cases today

More than 2.1 million boosters have been given nationally.

Set aside time to worry: Psychologist's advice on how to prepare for Omicron

It’s about finding the balance of what we can and can’t control, a psychologist says.

Omicron will keep going until it can't find any new people to infect, expert says

With Long Covid and lasting impacts - no, it's not a good idea to try to get Omicron.