The Ministry of Health has announced 126 new COVID-19 community cases with eight people in hospital on Tuesday.
Of the 126 new community cases, 84 are in Auckland, 20 in Waikato, 8 in Bay of Plenty, five in Northland, two in Tairāwhiti, two in Hawke's Bay, one in Lakes, one in Taranaki, one in Wellington, one in Nelson Marlborough and one Canterbury.
The ministry announced that there were eight people in hospital: one in North Shore, five in Middlemore, one in Auckland City, one in one in Waikato.
There are 79 new COVID cases at the border in Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).
The ministry said on Monday that since the Omicron variant has become the "dominant" strain, it will no longer be publicly advising the case variant in its updates.
What you need to know:
- There were 126 new community cases in New Zealand of any variant on Tuesday - Auckland (84), Waikato (20), Bay of Plenty (8), Northland (5), Tairāwhiti (2), Hawke’s Bay (2), Lakes (1), Taranaki (1), Wellington (1), Nelson Marlborough (1), Canterbury (1).
- There were eight people in hospital: one in North Shore, five in Middlemore, one in Auckland City, one in one in Waikato.
- The Prime Minister has returned a negative COVID-19 test result after going into isolation on Saturday night following potential exposure on a flight.
- COVID modeller Dr Dion O'Neale told Newshub daily cases could jump this week to as high as 500.
These live updates have finished.
6:20pm - The way we die needs a fundamental rethink, according to a group of international experts, who say COVID-19 has shed a harsh spotlight on care for the dying.
Death has been "overmedicalised" and millions around the globe are suffering unnecessarily at the end of their lives as a result, with healthcare workers in wealthy nations seeking to prolong life rather than support death, according to an expert panel convened by the Lancet medical journal.
At the same time, around half of people globally die without any palliative care or pain relief, particularly in lower-income countries. The Lancet Commission – involving patients, community experts, philosophers and theologians as well as experts in health and social care – are calling for change.
"How do we create a balanced way to support people as they are dying?" Commission co-chair Dr Libby Sallnow, a palliative medicine consultant and honorary senior clinical lecturer at University College London, said in an interview. "At the moment we are not managing it as we could be."
Although the Lancet Commission's work began in 2018, Dr Sallnow said the extremes seen during the pandemic had given it a new focus. She recalled treating COVID patients at home and in hospital during the pandemic, with those in hospital able to access therapeutics and pain relief, but only able to speak to their loved ones via an iPad held aloft by medical staff.
5:45pm - Charlotte Bellis has accepted an emergency MIQ spot and will be returning to New Zealand at the beginning of March.
"Overnight we have received approval of our re-activated emergency MIQ application," she said in a statement posted to Twitter.
"We want to thank New Zealanders for their overwhelming support. It has been stressful and your kind words and encouragement helped Jim and I immensely.
"We are disappointed it had to come to this. I will continue to challenge the New Zealand government to find a solution to border controls to keep New Zealanders at home and abroad safe and their rights respected.
"Unfortunately, the approval was not granted on the basis of medical needs but on the risk factor of our location. We were denied based on medical needs because MIQ assessed we had no supporting information of a need for time-critical, scheduled treatment. Unfortunately, the government fails to recognise that a birth is not a scheduled event. Therefore, this does not address the lack of a pathway for other pregnant New Zealand Citizens to rightfully give birth in their home country."
5:15pm - As mentioned earlier, pregnant New Zealand journalist Charlotte Bellis has been offered an MIQ voucher today.
The government has been defending its border controls after Bellis said she had to turn to the Taliban for help after not being able to fly home.
Having been declined an emergency spot in MIQ Bellis was assured by senior Taliban officials she would be safe in Afghanistan, where she and her partner have visas.
Bellis said her MIQ application has been met with "technicalities and confusion" and she had been asked to apply under a different category.
Her plight has attracted media coverage in many countries.
At a post-Cabinet media briefing this afternoon, Robertson urged her to take up the place in MIQ made available for her.
He said her case does not mean people will get preferential treatment if they are overseas and make a fuss.
4:50pm - There are five new locations of interest. They are:
- Wainui Marae Kaeo, 11am on January 21 to 3pm on January 23
- SkyCity Casino Hamilton, January 25 from 5:33pm to 6:38pm
- Countdown Whangārei, Okara Park, January 25 from 7pm to 8:30pm
- Flo & Frankie Nelson, January 26 from 11:51am to 12:25pm
- Stanley Avenue Wine Bar & Bistro, Milford, 4pm on January 28 to 12:30am on January 29.
4:37pm - The press conference has now finished. To briefly sum up:
- An additional 36 million rapid antigen tests have been secured over the next two months
- Two more types of rapid antigen tests have been approved, bringing the total to 11
- A spot in MIQ has been secured for Charlotte Bellis, should she choose to take it.
4:35pm - If a Cabinet minister is struck with COVID, Robertson says all ministers have the ability to work at home if they're forced to isolate.
He says it's slightly different for Parliament, and a plan is being made for that.
4:32pm - The time between bosters in continually under review, Robertson says.
4:23pm - Robertson says he isn't aware if Hipkins has sought Crown law advice over Bellis' case.
4:18pm - The Ministry of Health is working through whether vaccine passes will be upgraded to include boosters, Robertson says.
4:14pm - General access to rapid antigen tests will "come with time", Robertson says.
4:13pm - Robertson says Cabinet has had discussions about opening up New Zealand, but there'll be more to say on Thursday.
4:10pm - Bellis' lawyer is also representing other pregnant women. Robertson says they won't necessarily get MIQ spots since their circumstances are all different.
Robertson says the Government wants people to be able to come back when they want, but COVID has made it not always possible.
"We should do all we can to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," he says, and he thinks Kiwis would agree.
4:08pm - Robertson says Bellis' lawyer is planning legal action after Hipkins talked publicly about her personal situation.
He says that MBIE has worked hard for an outcome for her to return home and he has "enormous sympathy" for people in those situations.
4:06pm - On Charlotte Bellis, the pregnant Kiwi who is currently stuck in Afghanistan after being rejected from MIQ, Robertson says there is a spot in MIQ for people like her and there is a secured place for her.
He says this has been communicated to her today.
When asked if the Government should have said publicly that she was given consular assistance, Robertson says it's a legal matter so won't comment on it.
4:05pm - Two more types of rapid antigen tests have been approved, bringing the total to 11. More are under review, Robertson says, and the Government only wants to approve the best and most-accurate ones.
4:04pm - The Government has secured enough rapid antigen tests for a widespread outbreak in the coming months, Robertson says.
An additional 36 million COVID-19 rapid antigen tests over the next two months will arrive in the country, as modelling shows demand could reach 9 million a week at the peak of Omicron.
There are currently 5.1 million rapid tests in New Zealand, with 16.9 million already confirmed for delivery in February. The additional 36 million to be delivered over the next two months brings the total to 58 million over the next eight weeks.
"A total of 123 million rapid antigen tests [RATs] have been ordered through to June, which will allow for regular and widespread testing to occur," Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said on Tuesday.
4:01pm - Robertson has arrived.
There will be a vaccine update tomorrow, and on Thursday will be Ardern's announcement about opening up to the world.
Robertson says there's been 24 percent increase in people getting boosted, 66 percent of people who are eligible. He warns we need to be prepared for more cases and the Government is preparing for phase 2 of the Omicron outbreak.
3:55pm - Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson is due to hold the Government's post-Cabinet press conference at 4pm.
He is filling in for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is finishing her isolation period. The Prime Minister on Monday returned a negative COVID-19 test result after she was deemed a close contact and had to self-isolate. She is required to continue isolating until the end of Tuesday, February 1.
Robertson is expected to provide an update on COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.
You can watch the livestream here. This page will also be updated with new information.
3:40pm - As New Zealand farmers prepare for Omicron cases to rise, an Australian farming leader says dealing with the virus is difficult but being flexible is key.
Farmers here have been advised to come up with a checklist for how to run their farm in case they are to sick, and the sector is in talks with the government to ensure food supply chains face little disruption.
Across the ditch, Omicron has ripped through New South Wales and Victoria, exposing testing regimes and decimating supply chains.
The National Farmers Federation represents farmers and the agriculture industry across Australia. Chief executive Tony Mahar said rural areas had not been hit as hard as the big cities but food production had been affected.
"I've heard some reports of farmers sending livestock to market and the processor not having the capacity to actually deal with the stock because they don't have enough staff but luckily that hasn't been a regular occurrence and has only been isolated incidents. There has been a lot of disruption but for the most part we've been able to manage."
3:10pm - The Ministry of Health has announced seven new locations of interest including two close contact locations.
The close contact locations are:
- Polo in the Bay Mount Maunganui *GENERAL ADMISSION AREA POLO LOUNGE BAR PATRONS* - Saturday, 22 January from 2pm to 4pm
- Polo in the Bay Mount Maunganui *GOOD GEORGE GIN CARAVAN* - Saturday, 22 January from 2pm to 4:30pm
The ministry asks anyone at either of these two occasions at the exposure times to self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health.
The other locations are:
- Polo in the Bay Mount Maunganui *ALL ATTENDEES* - Saturday, 22 January from 12:57pm to 6:15pm
- Rotorua Regional Airport - Thursday, 27 January from 9:54am to 10am
- Bulls public toilet - Tuesday, 25 January from 2pm to 2:30pm
- The Free House Nelson - Tuesday, 25 January from 8:15pm to 9pm
- Pelorus Bridge Café & Motorcamp, Nelson - Thursday, 27 January from 12:15pm to 12:35pm
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
3pm - The New Zealand Golf Open has been cancelled for the second straight year because of COVID-19.
The tournament has been called off because of the country's move to the red traffic light setting of the COVID-19 response framework.
In what would have been the 102nd edition of the New Zealand Open, the tournament was to be held at Arrowtown's Millbrook Resort from March 31 to April 3.
Read the full story here.
2:18pm - The Ministry of Health has announced seven new locations of interest at 2pm.
The locations are:
Z Hawera - Wednesday, 26 January from 12:45pm to 1pm
Godzilla Clothing, Nelson - Tuesday, 25 January 11:07am to 11:30am
Sweet As Café, 270 Trafalgar St Nelson - Tuesday, 25 January from 1:26pm to 1:45pm
Milton Street Sprig & Fern, Nelson - Monday, 24 January from 6:43pm to 7:40pm
The Suter Art Gallery Nelson - Tuesday, 25 January from 2:26pm to 2:50pm
Lilliput Fun Zone Hamilton - Monday, 24 January 5:15pm to 6:15pm Napier
Intercity Bus Terminal - Friday, 28 January from 1pm to 1:150pm
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
1:19pm - Here are today's regional updates from the Ministry of Health:
The ministry is reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, and Canterbury.
In addition, due to the Ministry’s daily cut-off period for reporting, we are also announcing out-of-cycle cases for Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and Canterbury.
Northland
Today we are reporting five cases in Northland, with four linked to previous cases and one under investigation.
Of these five cases, three are in Kerikeri, one is in the Bay of Islands, and one is in Whangārei.
Auckland
There are 84 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 1,177 people in the region to isolate at home, including 427 cases.
Waikato
There are 20 new cases to report in Waikato today, with 18 linked to previous cases and two under investigation.
Lakes
There is one new case being reported in Rotorua today, with links established to a previously reported case.
Bay of Plenty
Today we are reporting eight cases in the Bay of Plenty, with all linked to previous cases.
Of these eight cases, two are in Tauranga and six are in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Tairāwhiti
There are two new cases to report in Tairāwhiti today, both linked to previous cases.
Taranaki
There is one new case to report in New Plymouth today, who is a household contact of a previously reported case.
In addition, there are a further three South Taranaki cases being announced today, which will be officially added to the Ministry’s case numbers tomorrow. These three cases are all known contacts of the previously reported case in Hawera and have been self-isolating since the original case was identified.
Hawke’s Bay
Two new cases are being reported in Hawke’s Bay today, both linked to previously reported cases.
In addition, a Hawke’s Bay case, with links yet to be established, is being announced today and will be officially added to the Ministry’s case numbers tomorrow.
Wellington
Today we are reporting one new case in Hutt Valley, who is a household contact of a previously reported case.
Nelson Marlborough
There is one new case being reported in Nelson Marlborough today, with links established to a previously reported case.
Canterbury
One new case is being reported in Canterbury today, with links established to a previously reported case.
In addition, there are a further four linked cases being announced today, which will be officially added to the Ministry’s case numbers tomorrow.
1:17pm - Here is the latest data from the Ministry of Health on the outbreak and vaccination campaign:
There were 22,508 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,324,160. Also, 5,826 paediatric doses were given yesterday, bringing the total to 169,316.
With Omicron in New Zealand, the best thing you can do is get your booster as soon as it is due.
Boosters lower your chances of getting very sick and being hospitalised. Being boosted also helps slow the spread of the virus. If you’re over 18 and your booster is due, please get it now. Evidence to date is that the rate of adverse reactions to a booster dose is similar to people receiving their second dose.
COVID-19 vaccine update
- Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 4,041,784 first doses (96%); 3,962,959 second doses (94%); 1,324,160 booster doses (68%)
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 691 first doses; 1,141 second doses; 5,826 paediatric doses; 22,508 booster doses.
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 512,429 first doses (90%); 485,571 second doses (85%).
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 277,258 first doses (97%); 269,210 second doses (94%).
- Paediatric vaccines administered to date (percentage of 5-11-year-olds): 169,316 first doses (36%)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 22,079 first doses (19%)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 5-11): 12,273 first doses (25%)
Vaccination rates for all DHBs (percentage of eligible people aged 12 +)
- Northland DHB: First doses (90%); second doses (87%)
- Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Waikato DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (92%)
- Lakes DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
- MidCentral DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- Tairawhiti DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (89%)
- Whanganui DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%)
- Hawke’s Bay: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- Taranaki DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (92%)
- Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (95%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)
- West Coast DHB: First doses (93%); second doses (90%)
- Canterbury DHB: First doses (99%); second doses (98%)
- South Canterbury DHB: First doses (95%); second doses (93%)
- Southern DHB: First doses (97%); second doses (96%)
Hospitalisations
- Cases in hospital: 8; North Shore: 1; Middlemore: 5; Auckland: 1; Waikato 1,
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 55
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 0
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (N/A cases / 0%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (N/A cases / 0%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (4 cases / 80%); unknown (1 case / 20%).
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 84
- Seven day rolling average of border cases: 46
- Number of new community cases: 126
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 79
- Location of new community cases: Northland (5), Auckland (84), Waikato (20), Lakes (1), Bay of Plenty (8), Tairāwhiti (2), Taranaki (1), Hawke’s Bay (2), Wellington (1), Nelson Marlborough (1), Canterbury (1).
- Number of community cases (total): 12,131 (in current community outbreaks)
- Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 9,145
- Number of active cases (total): 876 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 16,245
Contacts
- Number of active contacts being managed (total): 9,280
- Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 77%
- Percentage who has returned at least one result: 71%
Tests
- Number of tests total (last 24 hours):18,110
- Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 20,705
- Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 8,812
Wastewater
- No unusual detections to report.
NZ COVID Tracer
- Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,001,672
- Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 47,122
My Vaccine Pass
- My vaccine pass downloads total: 5,000,044
- My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 10,282
1:13pm - The Ministry of Health has announced 126 new COVID-19 community cases on Tuesday.
Of the 126 new community cases, 84 are in Auckland, 20 in Waikato, 8 in Bay of Plenty, five in Northland, two in Tairawhiti,two in Hawke's Bay, one in Lakes, one in Taranaki, one in Wellington, one in Nelson Marlborough and one Canterbury.
The ministry announced that there are eight people in hospital with none in ICU or HDU.
1:05pm - While we wait for the ministry to announce Tuesday's COVID-19 case numbers very shortly, the Ministry of Health has announced six new locations of interest including one close contact location.
The close contact location of interest is:
Air New Zealand Flight NZ8193 Wellington - Timaru - Friday, 28 January from 9am to 10:30am
The ministry asks anyone on that flight to self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health.
The other locations of interest are:
Gisborne Intercity Bus Terminal - Friday, 28 January from 9:15am to 9:45am
Connor Westfield Manukau - Friday, 28 January from 1pm to 9:30am
Timaru Airport Terminal - Friday, 28 January from 10:30am to 10:45am
Pak n Save Hawera - Wednesday 26 January from 2:11pm to 2:41pm
New World Kerikeri - Saturday 29 January from 12:58pm to 1:15pm
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
12:57pm - The Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has announced three Omicron infections in Hāwera.
According to Ngarewa-Packer the three cases won't be announced until Wednesday as they came after the Ministry of Healths cut off time.
12:35pm - As usual, the Ministry of Health will release its daily statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak at around 1pm.
Stay tuned as we will publish the newest developments live as soon as the statement is available.
12:22pm - For Kiwis sitting in limbo in Australia waiting for the Government to decide on dates for the border reopening, news might not be far away.
The latest plan states that from the end of February, vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia, and possibly elsewhere, will be allowed to skip managed isolation and isolate at home.
Ministers have been reviewing those dates, and RNZ News reports Cabinet will finalise, but not announce them, today.
Read the full story here.
12:10pm - The Ministry of Health has announced 13 new locations of interest at 12pm.
The locations are in Whangārei, Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Welllington, Nelson, and include:
- The Warehouse Whangārei - Monday, 24 January from 1:42pm to 2:30pm
- Palmerston North Intercity Bus Terminal - Friday, 28 January from 5pm to 5:30pm
- Countdown Hamilton - Wednesday, 26 January from 3pm to 8:30pm and Tuesday, 25 January from 11:58am to 8:30pm and Thursday, 27 January from 1:59pm to 8:30pm
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
11:50am - Meanwhile in Victoria, they have recorded another 11,311 new COVID-19 community cases and 34 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Victoria Health announced that the number of people in hospital after contracting the virus has fallen to 851, down from 873 on Monday.
It was also reported that 106 people are in ICU with 30 people on a ventilator.
Of the new cases, 7,060 were detected by rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 4,251 by PCR test results.
It brings the total number of official active cases to 72,710, down from the 76,335 reported a day earlier.
11:43am - In Australia, New South Wales has announced 12,818 new COVID-19 community cases while 30 people have died from the virus in the last 24 hours.
This marks a decline from Monday's 13,026 cases.
NSW Health reported that 2,749 people are in hospital while 186 people are in ICU. Of those, 70 are ventilated.
11:38am - The National Party has outlined their plan for the Omicron outbreak if they were in power.
National leader Christopher Luxon announced, the isolation period for COVID-19 cases and contacts would be slashed to a week and all schools would get rapid antigen tests for twice-weekly checks.
"National would provide every school with sufficient rapid tests to conduct twice-weekly surveillance testing for all students, teachers and staff, like they're doing in New South Wales and Victoria," Luxon said.
Read the full story here.
11:08am - The Ministry of Health has announced nine new locations of interest including two high risk locations.
The high risk locations are:
Jett's Gym Eden Terrace Auckland - Thursday, 27 January from 8:45pm to 9:45pm
Countdown Whangārei, Okara Park - Tuesday, 25 January from 7:30pm to 8pm
The ministry asks anyone at these locations during the exposure time to Self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health.
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
10:59am - As New Zealand closes in on the two-year anniversary of our first nationwide lockdown, the "team of five million" sentiment feels like years ago for some.
Clinical psychologist Dr Sarb Johal said years of living under the so-called "new normal" is adding up.
"When people first started having to go to the shops to get their own food and having to think very carefully about every single step that they took, in terms of managing their exposure, getting out of the car, getting into the supermarket, getting it home, all of these actions start to add up and it feels quite wearing," he said.
Read the full story here.
10:27am - The Ministry of Health has announced three new locations of interest in Whangārei at 10am.
The locations are:
Turkuaz Cafe Whangārei - Tuesday, 25 January from 7pm to 8:30pm
Countdown Regent Whangārei - Wednesday, 26 January from 8:15pm to 11:30pm
Casablanca Motel Whangārei - Tuesday, 25 January from 7am to Thursday, 27 January 9pm
The ministry said anyone at the venues at the exposure times needs to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result".
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
10:18am - Winston Peters has called the Government's "be kind" mantra, nothing but "PR and bulldust" in a tweet about the Charlotte Bellis story.
9:50am - ACT leader David Seymour has slammed COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins for his "reckless and nasty" use of Charlotte Bellis's personal information to publicly attack her.
"Hipkins released a statement yesterday [Monday] in a desperate effort to save face over the Bellis saga," Seymour said. "Charlotte has now confirmed on social media that the Minister did not have her permission to release private details of her case.
"It's always wrong for Ministers to breach the law, and it appears he has breached the privacy Act, but in these circumstances it is menacing.
"Hipkins should have asked himself the simple question 'what could happen if I reveal personal information about a citizen in a dangerous part of the world?'
"Imagine being in a dangerous part of the world, knowing that your own Government will breach your privacy to publicly reveal information about you.
"Throughout this pandemic the Government has repeatedly said it can't comment on individual cases, that was until an individual case threatened the Government's popularly.
"Charlotte Bellis said on Twitter last night that she did not give her permission for Hipkins to give details of her case. Worse still - many of the details were incorrect.
"Her lawyer has since confirmed that she wasn't in Afghanistan in December as Hipkins claimed and since then she hasn't been offered consular assistance."
Seymour has called on Hipkins to apologise.
"Hipkins needs to apologise to Charlotte Bellis. It's entirely unacceptable for a Minister of the Crown to release private details without permission, especially when they're wrong, just to save face. Ministers have previously been sued for releasing private details," he said.
"But more importantly, it's time for the Government to use this as a wake up call. Instead of scraping with New Zealand citizens, use their energy to scrap MIQ for fully vaccinated and negative tested New Zealanders.
"It's time to do what's right and let Kiwis come home. Jacinda came in promising kindness. If ever one event betrayed a lie, Hipkins behaviour towards Bellis shows this Government is actually nastier than any since Muldoon."
9:20am - The Ministry of Health has announced three new locations of interest in Auckland including two high risk locations.
The high risk locations are:
Stanley Avenue Wine Bar & Bistro, Milford Auckland - Friday, 28 January 4:30pm to Saturday, 29 January 12am and Thursday, 27 January from 4:30pm to 11:15pm
The ministry asks anyone who was at the Bar and Bistro at the exposure times to self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by Public Health.
The other location of interest is:
Auckland Regional Airport - Saturday, 22 January 7:30am to 8:40am
The ministry asks anyone at Auckland Airport at the exposure time to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
For the relevant dates, times and public health advice - and updates to existing locations of interest - click here.
8:45am - A person at Ōtāhuhu College has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a post on Facebook, the school said it is working to identify any close or casual contacts.
"There's a confirmed COVID-19 case in our community. We're working to identify any close or casual contacts of the confirmed case.
"The health and wellbeing of our children, staff and community is our top priority. We will keep you posted on any new developments.
8:20am - Officials in New South Wales are raising the alarm as the Australian state battles record high COVID deaths and thousands of hospitalisations.
Australia's shadow health minister Ryan Park told 2GB on Monday the health system is "in absolute crisis and at breaking point".
"We cannot simply have a health system that goes on like this, because there is too much strain on our health workers," Park told the Sydney radio station.
It comes after NSW recorded its deadliest day on Sunday with 52 deaths.
8:08am - New Zealand's COVID-19 response has been recognised by the OECD's 2022 Economic Survey.
The survey noted New Zealand's low mortality rate and resilient economy.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson welcomed the recognition.
"New Zealand’s strong health response to the pandemic has been our best economic response, with unemployment at record lows and wages rising. The Government’s books continue to outperform forecasts and we have one of the most favourable debt positions in the world," Robertson said.
8:02am - Cabinet ministers are meeting today to discuss their plan for reopening the border.
A staged plan was outlined last year but was pushed back due to the Omicron variant.
7:51am - Te Pūnaha Matatini modeller Dr Dion O'Neale told Newshub daily cases could jump this week to as high as 500.
"We've got about a hundred cases per day at the moment, in three days time we'd expect to see around 200 cases a day, O'Neale said.
"So that's the middle of this current week, and it probably means finishing up the end of the week with around 400-500 cases a day."
