Latest fromCovid-19
![Hospital opens first Covid ward in three years, warns of spike in respiratory bugs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Hospital opens first Covid ward in three years, warns of spike in respiratory bugs
A tricky new variant is already accounting for a third of Covid-19 cases in New Zealand.
![Troubled Laybuy companies placed into receivership](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Troubled Laybuy companies placed into receivership
The buy now, pay later outfit cites fraud and a flat economy among insurmountable hurdles.
![Auckland house-building outstrips population rise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Auckland house-building outstrips population rise
On the fringes, especially to the north, west and south, are where real growth occurred.
![Will NZ survive the next pandemic?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Will NZ survive the next pandemic?
OPINION: The risk of another pandemic like Covid-19 is increasing.
![Tricky new Covid variant on the rise as NZ’s sixth wave approaches peak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Tricky new Covid variant on the rise as NZ’s sixth wave approaches peak
NZ's sixth Covid wave is likely close to peaking, but new variant KP.3 is gathering speed.
![Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’
Covid backlog, ancient IT system part of problem, but upgrade request for latter rejected.
!['Not if but when': Covid commission on future pandemic and bird flu threat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
'Not if but when': Covid commission on future pandemic and bird flu threat
Commission head says it's watching international bird flu cases carefully.
![Workers fired for ‘simulating’ being at their keyboards](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Workers fired for ‘simulating’ being at their keyboards
Financial Times: 'Simulation of keyboard activity' claimed, finance company workers fired.
![Travel stats show tourist arrivals up but still below pre-Covid rates](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Travel stats show tourist arrivals up but still below pre-Covid rates
Traveller numbers were up in April despite early Easter weekend having an impact.
!['I felt exposed': Woman's fears after info stolen in Covid data breach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
'I felt exposed': Woman's fears after info stolen in Covid data breach
The woman feared a harmful person from her past could have accessed her information.
![Who owns Smith & Caughey’s? What now for $120m fortune?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Who owns Smith & Caughey’s? What now for $120m fortune?
Names behind one of New Zealand's oldest retail dynasties: what next for them?
![Heather du Plessis-Allan: Public inquiry needed over Te Pāti Māori allegations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Heather du Plessis-Allan: Public inquiry needed over Te Pāti Māori allegations
OPINION: All those involved in the allegations should want a proper inquiry.
![Brothers Beer liquidation: Major bank among creditors owed money](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Brothers Beer liquidation: Major bank among creditors owed money
The pre-pandemic business was popular and expanded hospitality outlets from one to seven.
!['Unsubstantiated' claims in independent radio station's anti-vaccine advert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
'Unsubstantiated' claims in independent radio station's anti-vaccine advert
The advert claimed "tens of thousands" of people had been harmed by the vaccine.
!['Happens in mob movies': Juror given $120,000 cash bag in multi-million dollar fraud case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
'Happens in mob movies': Juror given $120,000 cash bag in multi-million dollar fraud case
Seven people were charged with stealing $40 million from a programme for hungry kids.
![Craft brewer, gastropub business Brothers Beer tumbles into liquidation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Craft brewer, gastropub business Brothers Beer tumbles into liquidation
Sector at crossroads: 10-year boom cycle reaches plateau in tightening economy.
![NZ Covid-19 peak highest in 18 months, says expert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
NZ Covid-19 peak highest in 18 months, says expert
People over 30 are eligible for a booster every six months.
!['Hitting hard:' Winter illness hits NZ schools, worsens teacher shortage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
'Hitting hard:' Winter illness hits NZ schools, worsens teacher shortage
'This bout seems to be hitting as hard if not harder than last year'.
![Alleged wage subsidy fraud trial likely next year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Alleged wage subsidy fraud trial likely next year
Wage subsidy trial: Tax agency charges could be merged with $977k fraud allegations.
![CBD safety, New Caledonia and UK election | Focus Morning Bulletin May 23, 2024](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
CBD safety, New Caledonia and UK election | Focus Morning Bulletin May 23, 2024
Auckland businesses plead for greater police presence, more Kiwis rescued from New Caledonia and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calls a general election.
![Another Covid-19 wave on horizon: How big will it be?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=780)
Another Covid-19 wave on horizon: How big will it be?
NZ likely on cusp of another Covid wave similar in size to our last two, modeller says.