While the level two announcement brought a sigh of relief for many across Auckland, South Aucklanders are still concerned about what the latest Covid outbreak may mean for the region. Another South Auckland outbreak of Covid has community support workers concerned about the impact it’s having on the mental health of its young people. Maria … Read more
With the Covid-19 immunisation programme beginning this Saturday, a South Auckland city councillor is warning not enough is being done to combat misinformation. South Auckland and Pacific leaders are calling for a concerted public information campaign to ensure those most needing the Covid vaccine aren’t put off from getting it. Auckland councillor Daniel Newman says … Read more
While lines for a Covid-19 test grow around South Auckland, as Justin Latif reports, those living at ground-zero of this latest outbreak remain determined not to let it overwhelm them. “Gutted.” That’s the reaction of fellow students of the Papatoetoe High pupil who tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend. “I was gutted when I … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for February 1. Contact us at info@spinoff.co.nz. Keep The Spinoff ticking by donating here. 5.45pm: NZ ‘deeply concerned’ about Myanmar coup The minister of foreign affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, has issued a statement in response to events in Myanmar (see 1.45pm). Here it is, in full: “Aotearoa New Zealand is … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 29, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Our members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us from as little as … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 28, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Our members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us from as little as … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 27, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Our members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us from as little as … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 26, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Our Members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us from as little as … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 25, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz Our Members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us from as little as … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 24. 4.05pm: Northland community case went through managed isolation The probable community case in Northland is a 56-year-old woman who has recently been through isolation at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland after returning from Europe, Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins told media this afternoon. The woman’s PCR … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s final live updates for 2020. It’s December 18. You can reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 3.25pm: Grace Millane’s killer keeps name suppression, for now The identity of the man convicted for the murder of British backpacker Grace Millane will continue to remain a secret, after a last minute appeal request to the … Read more
Despite the numerous setbacks and unexpected hurdles this tumultuous year brought with it, four pupils at South Auckland’s Māngere College say they’ve developed a resilience they didn’t realise they had. They sat down with Justin Latif. “A year of blessings.” That’s how Liona Vailea, 17, describes 2020. The Māngere College student isn’t deluded or ensconced … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 17. 12.10pm: ‘Beginning of the next phase’ for Ihumātao The Protect Ihumātao campaign Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL), which led the occupation of the land, has issued a statement responding to the announcement (see 12.00pm). “Today is a very significant day for our tūpuna and whānau of … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 16. Reach me at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum An interim report by the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care was released, detailing systemic failures in the state’s handling of abuse claims. The Treasury’s half year economic and fiscal update (HYEFU) said economic recovery will be … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 15. Reach me at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 8.00pm: The day in sum The government unveiled its Covid-19 summer resurgence plan, including an instruction for New Zealanders to isolate in their holiday bubble and not return home, should Covid suddenly return. A Covid-19 vaccine would be ‘unlikely to replace all … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 14. Reach me at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7pm: The day in sum Quarantine-free travel with Australia is expected to be permitted in the first quarter of 2021. A commencement date for the travel bubble will be announced in the new year. Jacinda Ardern refused to confirm if a deal … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 12-13. 6pm: The weekend in sum An Air New Zealand crew member has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in New Zealand on a flight from the United States on December 9. Early results from genome sequencing suggest they were infected in the US, not New Zealand. … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 11. Reach me at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 2.35pm: Disney announces possibly too many new films, TV series Culture editor Sam Brooks breaks down the literal shit tonne of upcoming releases: Today, Disney announced in their classic fashion – a massive Twitter thread – what they’ll be working on for … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 10. Get me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.15pm: The day in sum For the first time in nine months, no Covid-19 update was released by the Ministry of Health. Going forward, updates are to be released on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. An investigation is underway after two UK … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 9. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum A ceremony was held in Whakatāne to mark one year since the Whakaari eruption that claimed 22 lives. Parliament adjourned for the year. There were three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation facilities. A police … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 8. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 8.00pm: The day in sum The Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attacks was released, including recommendations to bolster support for ethnic minorities and expand the security state. Jacinda Ardern apologised on behalf of the government for failings prior to … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 7. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum The Human Rights Commission is investigating the pay gap and lack of equal employment opportunities experienced by Pacific communities in New Zealand. The Whakaari alert level for the volcanic island has been lowered to 1 (Green) … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 5. Get in touch at info@thespinoff.co.nz 2.00pm: Cases continue to surge in hotspots The sunny news of zero new cases in New Zealand finds its tragic contrast in ongoing reports around the world. In Brazil, for example, the latest officially reported tally recorded 43,209 new cases and … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 4. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 3.10pm: Pakistan cricket team’s MIQ training hopes dashed Ashley Bloomfield has chosen not to grant an exemption to the Pakistan cricket team that would allow them to leave their hotel to train in groups, while in managed isolation. “I have very … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 3. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum There were nine new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation, four active and five historical. The UK became the first Western nation to authorise a Covid-19 vaccine, with the rollout set to begin next week. The … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 2. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum Parliament formally declared a climate emergency, and the government announced it would be going carbon neutral. The auditor general issued a damning assessment of the University of Auckland purchase of a Parnell home for its vice … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for December 1. Get in touch at stewart@thespinoff.co.nz 8.10pm: The day in sum There were three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation, and the Ministry of Health issued a warning to be vigilant during the Christmas party season Auckland mayor Phil Goff released a proposal for a rates … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 30. Reach us on info@thespinoff.co.nz 7.00pm: The day in sum Worksafe has laid charges against 13 organisations and individuals in relation to last year’s Whakaari/White Island eruption. Two of those charged have been confirmed as government agencies. The government revealed its plan to double sick leave from … Read more
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for November 28-29. Reach me on aliceneville@thespinoff.co.nz Sunday, November 29 1.40pm: One new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation The Ministry of Health is reporting one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation today, and no new community cases. The new case is a person who arrived from Jordan … Read more