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28 Jan 2026 4:48
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  •   Home > News > Politics

    The Covid Response Minister's defending keeping Auckland roped off

    The Covid Response Minister's defending keeping Auckland roped off


    It's been revealed the Health Ministry advised Cabinet to open the border last Friday when the country moved into the traffic light system.

    The advice was in the Director-General of Health's affidavit to the Waitangi Tribunal, for a hearing on the new Covid-19 framework.

    Cabinet isn't relaxing the border until next Wednesday.

    Minister Chris Hipkins says they want to give the rest of New Zealand chance to hit 90 percent vaccinations first.

    He says when cases begin to spread out of Auckland, it will ensure we're in the best shape possible to stop a spike.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

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     Today's News

    Business:
    Tauranga's mayor says the council want their own answers into what went wrong leading up to the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide - as the Government confirms its own enquiry 4:37

    Politics:
    Tensions in Minnesota could send the US into another government shutdown — here's why 4:37

    Entertainment:
    Chris Pratt will not let artificial intelligence (AI) actors end his acting career 21:31

    Health & Safety:
    The mother of a near full-term stillborn baby says hospital staff caused her irreparable harm 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Patsy King has died at the age of 95 21:01

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift will be the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame 20:31

    Entertainment:
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    Entertainment:
    Michelle Pfeiffer "hated" her iconic Scarface bob 19:01

    Law and Order:
    The Police Minister's welcoming new senior Police appointments 18:57


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