COVID-19 updates
The regular COVID-19 media updates are now published as news items. They can be accessed from our news page.
Media releases
Latest media releases
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Media releaseIf you are symptomatic or a household contact, you can now order rapid antigen tests (RATs) through the newly launched RAT requester site. Read more02 March 2022
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Media releaseThe ASH Year 10 Snapshot Survey published today shows Aotearoa’s daily youth smoking rates continue to decline across all ethnicities, with overall rates falling to an all-time low from about 2% between 2015-19 to 1.3% in 2021. Read more28 February 2022
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Media releaseRapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be used as the primary test at Auckland community testing centres (CTCs) from today to help meet demand for testing as the Omicron outbreak grows Read more23 February 2022
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Media releaseMore than 3 million Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) have been distributed across New Zealand for workers who keep New Zealand’s critical services and supply chains moving, and those in our community most at risk from the effects of COVID-19. Read more17 February 2022
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Media releaseThe best thing New Zealanders can do as we move into Phase 2 of our response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is get boosted and give each other some space, said Director General of Health, Dr As Read more16 February 2022
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Media releaseDue to increasing COVID-19 cases, Tonga does not currently meet criteria to be eligible for quarantine-free travel (QFT) into Aotearoa New Zealand, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced today. Read more14 February 2022
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Media releaseThe Ministry of Health has launched a $1 million fund to help former nurses return to the healthcare sector, to focus on growing the workforce as pressures from COVID-19 continue. Read more14 February 2022
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Media releaseThe ninety percent first dose milestone was today achieved by Māori across Aotearoa says Patricia Joseph, Equity Group Manager at Ministry of Health’s Immunisation Programme. Read more04 February 2022
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Media releaseNew Zealand medicines regulator Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, for adults 18 years and over. Read more04 February 2022