New climate-focused initiatives include expanding the electric vehicle charging network.

Te Matatini gets an additional $34 million in funding over the next two years.

Free medicines, cheaper transport and childcare among initiatives.

Harete Hipango has been picked to run in Te Tai Hauāuru.

Government moves to new phase of Covid-19 response.

Hospitalisations remain elevated and pressure on the health system continues.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield gives his final Covid-19 briefing before leaving his job.

Meanwhile hospitalisation and mortality rates tell another story.

There are 692 people in hospital, including 30 patients in intensive care.

From 11.59pm on Monday 4 April, vaccine passes will no longer be required to be used.

It comes after she did a promo interview on the Australian breakfast show Sunrise.

The shift to self-isolation will begin from the end of this month.

'I will be returning to my home country New Zealand at the beginning of March.'

They've been described as "gamechangers" in the fight against Covid-19.

NZ enters the new traffic light system from 11.59pm on Thursday.

Govt announces support for business under new framework.

It comes as vaccine mandates kick in for teachers and health workers.

Today's announcement comes as a record number of new cases were reported.

Currently 87 per cent of eligible Aucklanders have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Cabinet will be today decide if there are any changes to Auckland's restrictions.

Auckland today enters day 50 of its lockdown as restrictions ease slightly.

It comes ahead of Auckland moving to the first step of its road map tonight.

It comes as two people tested positive at Middlemore Hospital overnight.

"It will be absolutely life-changing, and well overdue."

Modelling also suggests that vaccinations alone won't be enough to keep the virus at bay.

Less than half of all staff at one DHB are fully vaccinated.

Officials have confirmed how Auckland prisoner who sparked mini lockdown became infected.

It comes as three new cases emerged outside the Auckland lockdown overnight.

It comes as the 'Shot Bro' vaccine buses start doing the rounds.

The numbers come as testing and vaccinations in Auckland ramp up.

There are still 17 'mystery cases', those yet to be clearly linked back to the outbreak.

29 mystery cases under investigation, vaccination centre a location of interest.

It follows news an extra 250,000 doses are arriving from Spain this morning.

Thirty-one people in hospital, five in ICU or HDU, and three requiring ventilation.

New 'Delta 2' rules for gatherings and mask use being taken for a test drive from today.

It comes as 20 new cases were reported today - down from a peak of 84 over a week ago.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the bounce in numbers is not unexpected.

NZ has now split into two alert-level states as the country battles to eliminate Delta.

Auckland will stay in alert level 4 lockdown for at least two more weeks.

"The big risks are indoor spaces at the moment" - Dr Siouxsie Wiles

The total number of cases in the outbreak has now gone over 500.

Experts want an extension to further stamp out any risk of spread.

The first wave's peak is expected to hit in the next 48 hours.

Experts back NZ's elimination strategy despite criticism from Aussie PM.

The next few days will be crucial in determining the outbreak's spread.

There are now 107 cases in the latest outbreak.

Today the country recorded the highest number of daily cases in more than a year.

There are now more than 210 locations of interest as NZ spends the weekend in lockdown.

There are now 10 cases of Delta in New Zealand and almost 70 locations of interest.

A fully vaccinated nurse at Auckland Hospital has tested positive.

Fifteen locations of interest have been identified so far.

A relook at alert level settings comes as countries grapple with escalating Covid cases.

Vaccination bookings for the 55 and over age band will open on Friday, ministry says.

Seasonal workers from Sāmoa, Tonga and Vanuatu can enter NZ from September.

It comes with half the Australian population currently in lockdown.

Group 4 people will start receiving vaccine notifications from July 28.

Hipkins said he warned Kiwis abroad that MIQ demand would increase again.

It comes as 150,000 of the 1 million Pfizer doses expected through July arrived on Monday.

Kiwis stuck in NSW and Queensland will be allowed to come home on Saturday.

It comes despite expert advice Māori be prioritised due to the inequitable health system.

Of the infected traveller's 1752 contacts, 532 have so far returned a negative result.

Key question remains if traveller had 'explosive' Delta variant.

Around 265,000 children are in the 12-15 age group in New Zealand.

There will be an update this afternoon on the quarantine-free travel pause with Victoria.

More than 235,000 people are now fully vaccinated.

Pause in quarantine-free travel between NZ and Victoria extended for a further seven days.

Push back comes after Ministry of Health quietly updated its vaccination timeline.

Money for school buildings, tertiary students and vocational training announced.

$300m has been announced to accelerate investment in low-carbon technology.

Weekly benefit rates will be lifted by between $32 and $55 per adult by April 2022.

It includes nearly $100m for the new Māori Health Authority.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be speaking after Cabinet this afternoon.

All five returned from India.

The roads are expected to be extra busy this year after last year's lockdown Easter.

It's time to hit the beach.

It comes as 31 new cases revealed at the border, 19 of the new highly-infectious variant.

Health Ministry also reveals historical case - early last month from London via Singapore.