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A New Zealand scientist has created the compound which is now a front runner as a treatment option for Covid-19. Meanwhile a group of scientists have asked the government for funding, so that when an anti-viral treatment drug becomes available, New Zealand can manufacture it here. Without a vaccine

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay are providing an update on the Covid-19 situation and the government’s response. Watch the briefing live here at 1pm: There are five new cases, two confirmed, three probable. The total of cases is 1456. One of the new

As Southland prepares to move to Alert level 3, the initial regional economic impact of COVID-19 upon Southland businesses is being assessed. Southland’s Regional Development Agency, Great South, is coordinating the region’s business and economic response to COVID-19, which has included establishing

Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Kris Faafoi is announcing the first stage of support initiatives for the media sector. Faafoi has announced a package worth $50 million which will be deployed to help the media industry get through the Covid-19 pandemic. The intent of the pa

Air New Zealand is grounding passenger flights on its Boeing 777 flights until April next year, as it plans for a slow gradual entry back into international travel. Chief revenue officer Cam Wallace told Executive Traveller that use of the 777 fleet would depend how quickly borders reopen. The websi

A group of high school students have created a low-cost ventilator using pieces of wood, lego and a power drill. The eight students from St John’s College in Hastings took three weeks during lockdown to work on ‘Project Pear’, coming up with a $40 prototype which connects to a bag valve mask. Lead i

Civil Defence director Sarah Stuart-Black and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster are giving the latest update on the response during the Covid-19 lockdown. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says there have been 4452 breaches of the Health Act since lockdown began, with 477 prosecutions. Police will c

The All of Government COVID-19 National Response will provide two updates today: one at 1.00 pm, and a second update at 3.00 pm. Speakers: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health. Today we have two new confirmed cases and one new probable cases of Covid-19, sai