Focus Live: Bloomfield and McElnay give Covid-19 update

Dr Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down as Director-General of Health. Video / NZ Herald

Focus Live: Chris Hipkins gives Covid-19 update

Cost of living: PM highlights minimum wage increase at Wellington event. Video / Mark Mitchell

Shane's children Summer, Jackson and Brooke Warne shared emotional tributes to their late father at his State Memorial service. Video / Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria

Air New Zealand in trading halt, reveals $2.2 billion recapitalisation. Video / NZ Herald

PM Jacinda Ardern alongside Grant Robertson and Michael Wood officially open Transmission Gully. Video / Mark Mitchell

Focus Live: PM gives post-cabinet press conference

March 25 2022 There are 15,871 new community Covid cases today and 13 new deaths. As rules relax from tonight, new figures show there are 899 people in hospital, with 27 of them in intensive care.

From 11.59pm on Monday 4 April, vaccine passes will not longer be required. The Government will not require mandates in education, police or Defence Force workers and those workplaces using them.

March 22 2022 Health Minister Andrew Little has launched a major recruitment drive for mental health nurses as the Government faces increasing scrutiny in the sector.

March 21 2022 PM Jacinda Ardern has announced a further $5 million in assistance to Ukraine to help it during the invasion from Russia. Ardern confirmed that Cabinet has signed off on decisions on vaccine mandates, certificates and the traffic light system.

A major search and rescue operation is underway after a vessel got in trouble off North Cape. Video / NZ Herald

March 18 2022 National Party leader Christopher Luxon says it is time to dismantle Covid restrictions and get back to normality.

March 17 2022 There are 19,566 new community cases of Covid-19 and 930 people in hospital, including 23 in intensive care. Ten Covid-related deaths were announced today.

March 17 2022 Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says mandates and vaccine passes are unlikely to be used as widely as before and Cabinet will review traffic light settings next week.

March 16 2022 Vaccinated Australians will be able to come to New Zealand without isolating from 11.59pm on April 12. Fully vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries will be able to enter the country from 11.59pm on May 2.

March 16 2022 National Party Leader Christopher Luxon has appointed his deputy Nicola Willis as National's new Finance spokesperson to replace the outgoing Simon Bridges.

March 15 2022 There are 21,616 Covid cases in the community today and a record 960 patients in hospital battling the virus.

March 15 2022 'A lot more to be done' says National Party leader Chris Luxon as Opposition give Govt 'fail' grade on fuel cuts.

March 14 2022 Kiwi motorists will get some relief from soaring petrol prices, with the Government slashing fuel excise duties and road user charges by 25c a litre each from midnight.

World Vision Emergency Communications specialist Brianna Piazza tells the stories from the front line at the Romania–Ukraine border as millions try to flee. Video / AP / World Vision

March 11 2022 There are 20,989 new Covid-19 cases in the community and seven new deaths today. That is the highest number of daily Covid-related deaths New Zealand has seen since the pandemic came to the country in 2020.

World Vision Emergency Communications specialist Brianna Piazza is covering the refugee exodus from the Ukraine-Romania border and speaks to World Vision ambassador Kimberley Crossman. Video / NZ Herald / AP

Focus Live: Grant Robertson addresses the media.

Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi on the TVNZ and RNZ merger.

March 9 2022 'We are deeply concerned about what will likely happen with energy prices", PM Jacinda Ardern said this afternoon.

March 9 2022 Chris Hipkins spoke just before the Ministry of Health announced there were 22,454 community cases and four deaths today. There were 742 people hospitalised including 19 in ICU.

March 8 2022 The Government is fast-tracking measure to support Ukrainians to stay in New Zealand or to return here immediately.

March 8 2022 There are 23,894 new Covid-19 cases today - including 9881 people in Auckland. Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said 756 people were in hospital and 16 were in ICU or HDU.