Soumya Bhamidipati

NSW has put up $4.5 billion to recruit 10,000 nurses, leading to fears it will worsen ongoing shortages here, while the Health Minister says a pay deal was snubbed.

Experts say the Clean Slate scheme, which gives some offenders the right to not disclose their criminal convictions, isn't working and some people who deserve to can't put their past behind them.

Staff illness is adding pressure to the healthcare sector and with tomorrow being the official start of winter and seasonal illnesses expected to spread, experts say it will only get worse. Audio

A Wellington school has called police in after two instances of racist graffiti in the toilets. The vandalism has been removed, but some students are worried it will happen again.

Tourism operators say pre-departure Covid-19 testing is putting off overseas travellers from coming here and they want the requirement removed.

The orange light setting has brought a sense of relief for parents, as the eased restrictions mean one less thing to juggle - but some Covid-related worries are still lurking.

MidCentral District Health Board is offering a $20 grocery voucher to people who return its pulse oximeters.

Pharmacists are putting their hands up to do more to help people get their rapid antigen tests (RATs) done properly and with more reliable results. Audio

If the Steps to Freedom grant had kept up with inflation, it would be about $700 today.

KiwiRail's oldest diesel shunt is rolling full steam ahead into retirement.

A Dunedin doctor says the government has repeatedly failed to deliver the tools frontline health workers need to do their jobs. Audio

The shift from MIQ to home isolation for vaccinated New Zealanders travelling from Australia kicks in today.

New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science president Terry Taylor says while the absence of one from the team will affect capacity, colleagues will fill in the gaps as best they could.

New electronic monitoring bracelets will not track wearers' sweat at this stage, but Corrections wants the option in future. A criminologist says the practice is too invasive.

Some offenders are having to go to prison because they do not live in an area where there is a good enough signal for electronic monitoring. Audio

The country's laboratories could be overrun if the government does not reconsider who it tests for Covid-19, a professional body says.

A vaccination grant specifically for ethnic minorities has made a Chinese group in Christchurch feel more connected to the wider community.

Health authorities have ordered 120,000 courses of antivirals to combat mild to moderate Covid cases.

Care workers who took their plea for enforceable minimum staff numbers to lawmakers today say they are having to choose who gets care and who misses out.

The future of 24 stolen dogs is up in the air as an animal welfare organisation refuses to hand them over, while police demand they are returned to the owner.

South Wairarapa locals are worried they could lose land they've bought and paid for when the government's Three Waters reforms kick in. South Wairarapa locals are worried they could lose...

Masterton's playground tractors might now be restored to the Kids Own Playground after another late reprieve from councillors.

Why young New Zealanders aren’t getting driver licences.

Three chefs driven to fuel the masses.

As politicians talk up their housing policies ahead of the election, renters share stories of stress, illness and why the current system doesn’t work.