Current alert level settings to remain in place for another two weeks in Auckland

Current alert level settings to remain in place for another two weeks in Auckland; Waikato to stay at Level 3 until at least Friday; Northland to join rest of NZ at Level 2

18th Oct 21, 4:15pm by Jenée Tibshraeny

Jacinda Ardern. Press Gallery pool photo.

The current alert level restrictions will remain in Auckland for another two weeks.

That is, Auckland will remain at Step 1 of Level 3. Gatherings are still limited to no more than two households, including fewer than 10 people, meeting outdoors.

Waikato will remain at the original tighter version of Level 3. The settings will be reviewed on Friday.

Northland will move to Level 2 at 11:59pm on Tuesday.

The rest of New Zealand will remain at Level 2.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Finance Minister Grant Robertson is working towards providing businesses with more support. Details will be unveiled on Friday. Ardern wouldn't say whether support would be targeted at certain industries or made available to businesses that suffer revenue falls of 'x percent' due to Covid-19.

The Government will on Friday also reveal a vaccination target and outline a detailed plan for tackling Covid-19 beyond the near-term. The plan will consider how vaccination passports can be used. Ardern didn't say when people might be able to start travelling in and out of Auckland.

Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield expected 90% of Aucklanders to have had both doses of the vaccine in about four weeks’ time. Nearly 90% of Aucklanders have had their first dose.

Ardern recognised some epidemiologists have been calling for a "circuit breaker", or for Auckland to move to Level 4. However she said advice from the Ministry of Health, including from public health officials on the ground, was that putting Auckland in a tougher lockdown wouldn't help, given the nature of the outbreak and compliance levels.

Ardern said the additional financial support she's flagged for low-income households would be "quite targeted". She couldn't put a date on when she would detail what this support will look like.

Ardern also reiterated the Government is looking into shortening overseas arrivals' stays in managed isolation. More of these spaces are likely to be required for Covid-19 cases.

The Ministry of Health is already working towards getting more Covid-19 cases to isolate at home, raising the question around why overseas arrivals, who are unlikely to have Covid-19, are still being made to queue up for a spot in managed isolation.

Here is the latest vaccination data from the Ministry of Health:

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164 Comments

by chebbo | 18th Oct 21, 4:20pm 1634527202

The Government will on Friday also reveal a vaccination target

Well that didn't take long. How are we supposed to trust anything this government says?

by dumbthoughts | 18th Oct 21, 4:22pm 1634527348

Wasn't 90% the vaccination target?

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 4:25pm 1634527509

It was until we realised we will never make it.

I am guessing it wasn't revealed today because we have already made it. Most other countries are around 80%.

by chebbo | 18th Oct 21, 4:30pm 1634527844

Ardern has said from the very start that she wouldn't set a vaccination target. The 90% figure comes from the roundly criticised "7000 deaths per year" report by Shaun Hendy, and the media (particularly the Herald) have picked it up and run with it.

by jerry_NZ | 18th Oct 21, 4:37pm 1634528256

The thing is that the push to vaccination is based on those predicted deaths. Then .. .they are not happening.... in Canada there should be 4-5k deaths and .... nothing.

The moment there are incentives (various types, paid by the tax payers) to do something - a natural instinct should say ....' hold on ....where is the catch?' Did you every get anything free from the gov of any country ??

by morepork | 18th Oct 21, 5:34pm 1634531683

Hmm...

I get free roads, free healthcare, free fire service, free museums, and I could go on. Of course they are all ultimately paid for by the taxpayer, just like the covid vaccine. But "free" is not exactly a novel concept for the government.

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:19pm 1634527191

Omg an announcement about an announcement.

Obviously 90% isn't enough. Why waste 5 more days to let us know?

Sick and tired of being pulled through this stupid PR exercise.

No leadership or courage.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:21pm 1634527292

Ardern can f#$% off.

They are going to ruin Auckland.

by morepork | 18th Oct 21, 4:25pm 1634527550

Auckland's already been ruined by the runaway house price increases over the last 25 years, if anything this might help fix it

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:26pm 1634527592

Whatever, it'll only increase costs due to supply constraints and uncertainty.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:29pm 1634527788

Yeah nah, this is the final nail in the coffin

by kpnuts | 18th Oct 21, 4:42pm 1634528534

yes especially given the massive increase in housebuilding costs ........

by Lapun | 18th Oct 21, 4:33pm 1634527981

I went for a drive today; Auckland seems quite pleasant - the best it has been for a couple of decades.

Genuine wealth creation occurs in the South Island and rural North Island - Auckland is just very good at spending the wealth created elsewhere.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:40pm 1634528433

If you said that to cafe owners they may well knock you out.

by Zen20 | 18th Oct 21, 4:33pm 1634528007

Didn't Jafa's already do that?

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:42pm 1634528555

Civil disobedience is the only way forward. We need to force the Government to accept reality and use common sense. They are completely delusional.

by Passerby | 18th Oct 21, 7:30pm 1634538650

We have done everything they have asked of us while they have done absolutely nothing right by us. Isn’t it also extremely ironic that all these ‘experts’ calling for Auckland to be locked down and for limiting our freedoms don’t live in Auckland? I am so sick of this. I am up for teaching them not to take advantage of our compliance and patience. Everything has its limits and I feel we have reached the limit in Auckland!

by youngdumbandbroke | 18th Oct 21, 4:21pm 1634527296

Kia kaha Auckland. just 2 more weeks

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:24pm 1634527460

I now start to feel sympathy for the influencer mob.

We are over it.

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:25pm 1634527556

2 more weeks then another announcement about another announcement?

F&@&! sakes while they sit in the Beehive being fully paid FROM OUR WALLETS!

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:31pm 1634527861

This Government is a complete, unmitigated, utter disaster.

When a government lies in the face of the public, when the rules become nonsensical, and when the public feels like it is being taken for a ride, I am starting to think that civil disobedience will, in the near future, become the only way forward for Auckland.

I hope that some businesses will start ignoring level 3 rules, will be joined by many others, and that will force the government to get a grip on reality.

by streetwise | 18th Oct 21, 5:24pm 1634531097

Mr Frank

So, I understand you and your new political party will contest the 2023 election. Can I suggest a new name for it: "The I can do better party". Good on you for walking the talk.

Are you hoping to contest the election from your basement armchair?

You seem to have the numbers if your supporters on this post are anything to go by; can you pick some of them now to show us what your shadow cabinet would look like? Who would you pick from the above as your Health Minister to slay the Covid dragon?

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 5:42pm 1634532123

Let's put it this way, the standard Labour is setting it wouldn't be hard to find someone better. Full stop.

by Pa1nter | 18th Oct 21, 9:21pm 1634545308

Appears to be pretty hard for the opposition.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:13pm 1634534002

Frankly, that's disingenuous.

by wortho | 18th Oct 21, 9:03pm 1634544212

It’s shocking! Ardern says they have a target, but smugly smiles, we won’t tell you today! FFS you K… we immediately went into anxiety and guess mode. We are all vaxed, yeah double since August, all locked up, can’t visit our kids, we are in punishment northland, yeah we let hookers and drug runners through, plus we probably won’t vote labour again, once bitten. Happy Az for L2 on Weds. happy our houses will rise another 30% this summer, gonna sell up an head to Raro. Fight or flight, they took our guns already, but not my fish8ng rods…

by Sluggy | 18th Oct 21, 4:21pm 1634527270

I love the way she prefaces the no change in Auckland with a veiled threat of level 4 so it feels like she is giving you something.

Completely over this bollocks.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:23pm 1634527409

This govt are challenging Shipley's as the worst in the last 50 years.

Actually I would say this mob are the worst. At least with Shipley you basically knew what you were getting, unlike this mob who are full of lies.

by morepork | 18th Oct 21, 4:28pm 1634527730

You're a bit out of touch. This government was voted back in with the highest support of any party since MMP was introduced, and in the most recent poll they had 46% support. Perhaps this is due to the alternatives being far worse, but public opinion has them clearly being the best of the bunch.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:30pm 1634527841

It's changing.

And I never said the opposition are any better....

by wortho | 18th Oct 21, 9:11pm 1634544685

Yeah, that’s a poll eh, conducted of MSM readers? Just saying.

The groundswell out here in rural worker land is way different. Just saying.

I’m still challenged by the fact Jacinda got to be leader by rushed not followed normal labour union rules, then got in by a party with 7% vote who chose her (I reckon surely whisky Winnie is rueing that now).

by DD62 | 18th Oct 21, 6:11pm 1634533876

Right on the money Housemouse!!!

To reiterate what I have said many times now:

Adhern is the emperors new clothes!! She will be recorded in history as our worst ever PM ( knocking Shipley out of that spot) and her government as the worst in New Zealand's history!!!

I love this country, but I really fear for our future. If she gets another term with the greens then the country is toast!

by Nifty1 | 18th Oct 21, 4:28pm 1634527689

Yeah what a setup leading into the conference

by Sluggy | 18th Oct 21, 4:34pm 1634528060

Im beginning to feel like the whole thing is staged, bloomfield this morning talking about the short circuit, its in the media, aucklanders get to worry about that all day, then Aunty says its OK kids, Ill look after you.

It is just wrong. Manipulative crap.

by Nifty1 | 18th Oct 21, 4:36pm 1634528190

100% that's how they're playing it...

by Passerby | 18th Oct 21, 7:33pm 1634538789

I am surprised it took this long to realise this. I am sick of her media manipulation and facade. They have done nothing in the last 2 years to improve hospital facilities instead she has jumped on vaccination bandwagon. Now we are all getting vaccinated she just keeps dragging her feet through this. By the time she opens, the vaccine efficacy would have waned and she won’t open until boosters. This is beyond ridiculous. I have zero respect for you Jacinda. Lies, lies and more lies fed with a tilt of the head and a smile. I am so over it! I hate the anti lockdown protests but I’m thinking of joining them next time because this has gone on too long. She has taken us for idiots.

Asking her ‘Expert’ friends to scoff up some garbage about level 4 and trying to act like the generous angel in keeping us at level 3. How does she live with her garbage? Pass me the bucket. She missed her true calling… Hollywood!

by AJ123 | 18th Oct 21, 10:29pm 1634549383

And she is still most favorite, I am looking for people who vote for her.. Pathetic job

Feel like house arrest all the time without any reason.. It is now overdone only deceit and lies is what we get from this govt.

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:32pm 1634527946

This promises to be the worst government that NZ has ever had. A complete shamble.

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 4:49pm 1634528955

Yes the level 4 threat was a rather bald straw man wasn’t it. The government is completely at sea in a black storm, aback and awash, not knowing how to set a sail. Other countries with very high vaccination rates have evidenced there are still significant hospitalisation numbers from covid. But they are coping. Even the UK’s much maligned NHS is coping. Our government does not think though, that NZ’s hospitals can cope. There is no other explanation. The modelling has had sufficient time to produce the relative curve and provide some good detail as to a timetable based on it, for opening up. Nothing has been forthcoming, and based on the information given, or more importantly not given, Auckland will need to remain as is, even if vaccinations meet 95%. I mean in two weeks time, what can possibly have changed to allow a change. And then two weeks, and two weeks more. On and on it goes, that is the only rationale at play, it is far too obvious to see.

by FCM | 18th Oct 21, 4:23pm 1634527409

Never seen the goal posts moved so much....70-80-90 nope 95%...feel for you in AKl really do

by thinktank | 18th Oct 21, 4:23pm 1634527415

I’m sure I’m not the only Aucklander who has no intention to continue following this crap.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:24pm 1634527484

Exactly.

by Sluggy | 18th Oct 21, 4:25pm 1634527514

Im with you.

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:27pm 1634527653

I am not even a business owner but I F!@U@ feel angry at how Ardern and co are playing with people's lives.

Look at NSW - well done, that's leadership.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:31pm 1634527902

Me neither, but I have two close friends who are, and they are teetering on the edge

by morepork | 18th Oct 21, 4:31pm 1634527903

Still have another 6 weeks or so until Auckland's lockdown extends as long as Sydney's one. Not sure why you'd prefer that leadership

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:39pm 1634528349

Guess what? At least they had a plan and a target from the start. Duh!

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 4:44pm 1634528669

I am not sure sticking to a bad plan is better than changing the plan as information come to light. But it is time for Labour to loosen again as it promised to do 2 weeks ago. Just because some nutters who call themselves experts are asking for level 4, that doesn't mean they can't keep loosening as vaccination rates increase.

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 5:58pm 1634533113

Here then is a good question to any one of the government’s relative ministers, “ what precisely do you see changing in the next two weeks that would allow a relaxation from Auckland’s present status?”

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:15pm 1634534126

Yes, nice and simple.

by davef | 18th Oct 21, 6:16pm 1634534195

Second dose vaccinations, currently about 70%, but should get up there in a three weeks or so.

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 6:31pm 1634535066

Optimistically you may well be right. But if new cases are still arriving daily at present numbers, or as the government has conceded likely larger, in three weeks time, how does that then allow the current guidelines/criteria to be relaxed. The fact might well be in two months time case numbers are continuing to rise day by day, despite vaccination levels. What then?

by davef | 18th Oct 21, 6:38pm 1634535496

NSW went from emphasising cases towards hospitalisation/death in their press conferences... I expect we'll follow the same path. 90% double doses, go a step down in level 3 for a couple of weeks (takes two weeks for 2nd shot to kick in). Then level 2 a week or so later.... at least something like that is the closest I can see to a credible plan.

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 6:55pm 1634536523

Aye, good reasoning. It would seem though, and so far justifiably that the NSW authorities have more confidence in their hospital capacity than our government does relatively? Just to jump ahead a bit on that, what I see as an abysmal failure in governance is that the real fear remains as the potential of hospitals to be overwhelmed by covid. As such two facets, as enlisted by other nations have been ignored by this government in precisely the same manner as they were lax and complacent in getting vaccinations underway. Firstly boosters. This would assist the aged and/or preconditioned to avoid hospital admission. Secondly saliva testing, especially self testing. Early detection provides early intervention. As far as I can see the government has been doing nothing but their standard escape clause “working on it” for over a year. In truth they are recreating exactly the same failure as to vaccinate timely. They have learnt absolutely nothing, and the ordinary folk of New Zealand are about to pay for it.

by sharetrader | 18th Oct 21, 7:58pm 1634540335

it will take 2 weeks for the antibodies to be at a good level after the second jab, so in two weeks 71% of auckland will be fully vaccinated and it will increase daily from there. if you check the maps you will see big patches of auckland that are hitting 95% first jab, it is south auckland that lags way behind, we have tried the carrot long enough it is time for the stick approach, time to bring in things those that are double jabbed can do if not too bad

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 8:50pm 1634543440

Honestly, all hope that the rate of vaccination will eventually curb the rate of infection. However the question remains as to what happens if it doesn’t do so in a span of time that is viable. To date there is no indication of any slowing of infections, and bear in mind the government is actually saying expect them to rise into the daily 100s, and at the same time refusing to publish a vaccination target that would achieve said outcome, ie vaccination besting infections. On figures and reasoning to date, in two months time, Mr Delta could easily be leading Mr Pfizer hands down on the scoreboard. What then?

by Fluffybunny | 18th Oct 21, 8:59pm 1634543978

3 weeks and 20% extra won't mean diddly squat in the long term.

This will not go away until we develop heard immunity. Let's get our kids back to school and start building up thier immunity now.

People will die. Let's accept this and move on.

There is no magical other solution aside from never ending level 3.

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:38pm 1634528281

I am completely with you, and I hope that business owners will start a movement of civil disobedience against this nonsense.

by Brutus Iscariot | 18th Oct 21, 6:49pm 1634536194

This government is losing legitimacy by the day. It's controlled by unelected bureaucrats who are overriding our normal rights and laws without end, making us jump through hoops and shifting the goalposts no matter how well we do. What a waste of time that Vaxxathon was.

Almost our civic duty to start disobeying (in a safe way of course).

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:52pm 1634536371

I think Ardern has put so.much stock in her so called 'world leading' covid response that she and her cronies are petrified of that mantle crumbling before her very eyes...

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 7:12pm 1634537563

The bureaucrats are chewing this government up, and spitting them out with contempt. The bureaucracy has the bit between the teeth, the jockey a feeble weak rider, no hope of wresting back control. Said it before and say it again a bureaucracy that is opinionated, self serving and unaccountable is a threat to society as we know it and democracy itself. Folks, this government has let the cow run away with the spoon, over the hills and far away. Let’s all sing together in joyous refrain, “ Red Flags in the Sunset.”

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 8:20pm 1634541650

Not sure about that. I did some contract work in a ministry a few years back and it was the politicians who directed and bossed the bureaucracy, not the other way around.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 8:28pm 1634542084

Resoundingly my experience also Housemouse

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 4:24pm 1634527446

Prime Minister: We want to provide more certainty going forwards. We don't want to plan week to week.

Prime Minister 5 minutes later: Jokes, we will annouce our plan for moving forwards on Friday.

Prime Minister another 5 minutes later: More Jokes, our plan for friday will be based on a milestone no. of vaccinated not a date, so will float week to week or it may never happen.

Listening to the presser everyone is sounding a lot more tense. Will Australia opening provide a catalyst for us to get over our Lockdown = good response.

by dumbthoughts | 18th Oct 21, 4:25pm 1634527515

"The vaccine is all about opportunities".

Namely the opportunity to sit at home for another two weeks, waiting for a target to replace what you already thought was the target.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:26pm 1634527579

If National can find a semi- decent leader then they are home and hosed to win next election in coalition with Seymour. Especially with the economic hard times coming.

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 4:37pm 1634528272

That is one giant IF.

The numpties that used to say Muller was better than Bridges, then said Collins was better than Muller, are now saying Luxon is better than Collins.

I have some news for them.... None of them are even remotely compentent. If Luxon is the best they have, they might as well just jump ship to ACT.

We have no leaders in this country, at best we have some mid level managers.

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:40pm 1634528423

I would vote for the opposition right now even if the leader was a Teletubbie.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:43pm 1634528637

I would vote for them, or at least Seymour, as a protest vote.

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:45pm 1634528722

I could not agree more. This government has completely lost touch with reality. This is pure lunacy.

by Macawsley | 18th Oct 21, 5:07pm 1634530062

To be fair that's always been the case with National's tribal 20%

by dollar_bill | 18th Oct 21, 5:13pm 1634530412

Chloe FTW

by bpmhopper | 18th Oct 21, 4:26pm 1634527595

People, we will need to stand up and not lay down, allowing ourselves to give away our freedoms and our childrens futures.

If you are vaccinated, shouldnt you be allowed your freedom now?

If we are to open up fully vaccinated (90%+) then why cant vaccinated congregate? I makes no difference.

This is Not about your health, they will only allow you 'freedom' when they can monitor your movements via tracking and compliance app

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:28pm 1634527722

Honestly, I have never been at a protest before but boy, if there was one I might even consider it this time.

HAVE

HAD

IT

I am not encouraging illegal behaviour. I am just venting my anger.

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 4:35pm 1634528132

Yet the media aren't even asking these questions. Melbourne has similar vaccine rates, loads of deaths and cases a day, and they are going to level 2. Why do they think we need to wait more when we have 0 deaths a day?

by jerry_NZ | 18th Oct 21, 4:32pm 1634527923

You are missing the point - it has nothing to do with health!

It is about control and dividing the society. You need conflict and fear to easier influence people.

by kraken | 18th Oct 21, 6:15pm 1634534154

Great Reset.

by guwop | 18th Oct 21, 7:28pm 1634538492

@bpmhopper

Wow, if you would have said this six months ago you would have been flagged a conspiracy theorist and be booted off this site by Dave.

by jerry_NZ | 18th Oct 21, 4:28pm 1634527685

Moving target - AGAIN!

The inconsistency is incredible!

Now - more and more spin to vaccinate 5 years old - it is MADNESS!

Sure, stay at home, then crowd at vax station and the head to KFC for a healthy meal!

What did goverment did to encourage citizens for healthy wellbeing?

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 4:29pm 1634527756

How does Labour get 45% in the polls?

Are they polling people in Dunedin only?

NUTS

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 5:07pm 1634530070

There's a good chunk of the population who are on benefits, in cushy govt jobs, or in cushy private sector jobs, comfortably retired, or are living in the relative freedom of level 2 and are effectively oblivious to the pain that many are suffering.

by rastus1 | 18th Oct 21, 7:25pm 1634538351

If you think inflation is bad now, just you wait.

When people are paid to produce nothing then we have in increase in cash to fund an increase in nothing. i.e more cash chasing the same stuff.

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 4:32pm 1634527953

So 60 odd cases a day, 0 deaths a day (significantly less than the road toll), 80% will be double vaxed in 2 weeks (more than most other countries), yet for some reason we still need lockdown? When do we not need lockdown? This is getting crazy. No wonder people are breaking the rules.

by Lapun | 18th Oct 21, 4:40pm 1634528447

Just look at the figures for Singapore for the last month.

But you are right they will need to bite the bullet and open up soon.

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 4:46pm 1634528760

Look at the figures for NSW. Cases going down despite loosening of restrictions.

by MortgageBelt | 18th Oct 21, 6:15pm 1634534103

Time to travel to the South Island for 2 weeks, then a one-way green flight to Australia - one way.

by kpnuts | 18th Oct 21, 4:47pm 1634528840

about 160 heart related deaths this week -- 180 cancer related -- but 60 bill borrowed to tackle covid not get MRI machines and scan people before they have a heart attack or are stage 1 and 2 not stage 3 and 4 cancer? If you wanted to be vaccinated you are -- and if you chose not to be -- isnt that what living in a FREE democratic society is all about ?

by jerry_NZ | 18th Oct 21, 5:31pm 1634531488

note 'heart related deaths' wording.

I watched interesting program in the TV recently. One of the European countries (i guess it was Poland) was averaging 410.000 deaths per year in 2018 and 2019. In 2020 they got 485.000 (!) where 25.000 was related to Covid (covid infected only (200 cases) or with other issues (the rest)).

So, there is 50.000 more deaths related to 'other reasons' which are 'not clear'. I will let you draw conclusions on that...

I also suggest to watch tightly filtered news by NZ media regarding what is happening in this space around the world.

by thinktank | 18th Oct 21, 4:34pm 1634528047

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

by waymad | 18th Oct 21, 5:10pm 1634530238

C S Lewis...

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 5:26pm 1634531198

A total genius.

by fortunr | 18th Oct 21, 4:35pm 1634528115

Breaking news: the vaccination target that will be declared by our Dear Leader is 101% of the eligible population (subject to further upward revision, of course).

by Davo36 | 18th Oct 21, 7:49pm 1634539758

Maybe they could disinter some people and jab them too aye? That'd get the numbers up!

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:39pm 1634528356

Covid announcements attract the punters here like house prices used to!

Great distraction for the govt!!!

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 4:47pm 1634528827

Well it's the only thing the Journos can remember to post an article on (Present site excluded). One thing in their little brains at a time.

We don't get stories on Child Poverty, Homelessness, Kiwibuild, Pausing immigration, Pike River, fees free, cost of living...

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:56pm 1634529418

Light rail

by pigeonbox | 18th Oct 21, 10:38pm 1634549938

Are you possibly overdoing it in the comments section here mate.

by bw | 18th Oct 21, 4:43pm 1634528590

Ardern was going to be "Damned if she did, and damned if she didn't" today. She must have known that.

Yet she chose to try to do neither. ("I'll tell you on Friday" for God's sake)

By that one action, she lost us all.

by mikekirk29 | 18th Oct 21, 4:41pm 1634528472

They deny that S Auckland is the problem

Then Bloomfield admits at least 4 weeks to get Maori to 90% (ha)

Which means not reached by Nov 3rd plainly

Plan for future but nothing for present

by VeteranGolfer | 18th Oct 21, 4:41pm 1634528517

They'll do anything to stop it spreading to Wellington.

by Nifty1 | 18th Oct 21, 4:45pm 1634528742

Level 4 is coming, watch this space...

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 4:48pm 1634528882

Totally wouldn't surprise me, sadly.

You couldn't make this shit up!!!

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 5:11pm 1634530274

Unlikely. Listen to the presser, Compliance is slipping. Going into L4 we were at 2% vaccinated, we are now over 80. A move up a level at this point to any part of the country would just incite riots.

by Nifty1 | 18th Oct 21, 5:15pm 1634530558

So what are they going to do when cases hit tripple digits, covid starts spreading around the country, more deaths occur?

Let's face it, for Labour It's all about Christmas. They need to open the country up in December for the sake of the polls. A circuit breaker lockdown prior to this could fit in perfectly...

by Noncents | 18th Oct 21, 6:08pm 1634533688

What are they going to do?

They will announce that they will announce the announcement to the announcement of their plan at some point.

The real question is who gets first pre-vetted pointless question? Tova or Jessica?

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 8:03pm 1634540582

Oh, thanks for that. Even though it is said without fail, every time, it is so fast, my old hearing had it down as Tessica or Java, Now not quite so confused, Should sleep better now, maybe.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 4:51pm 1634529063

Yeah na. I'm happy to be moving to level 2 in a day but this is not fair on Aucklanders. They've done about as well as any large group of people could do in the developed world under these circumstances.

The rest of the country needs to accept that covid is coming for them, they've had long enough to prepare, Auckland needs to be allowed to open up.

F* the epidemiologists at this point, their extreme risk aversion is completely out of touch with social considerations and if they can't provide relevance at this point they need to be put out to pasture.

This is a decision that needs to be changed. Another 2 weeks is too far wrong.

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 6:33pm 1634535215

Yes I think the problem being that 66% of the voters are better off with Auckland in level 3 or 4 forever, so they are getting what they want. The sooner Aucklanders rebel the better by the looks of it. I noticed the media going on about some kids that had a party as if they were the devils, but can you really blame them, especially if they are vaccinated, why shut down your whole life forever when there seems to be no consideration for the affects of that and everything is about saving the lives of people who don’t even want the vaccine.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 7:07pm 1634537233

And even if they were unvaccinated and got covid they'd be fine at that age. Yes they might bring it home to grandma, but if grandma isn't double vaxxed at this point, then she was probably never going to get vaxxed and would likely have had some degree of serious problem in the next 3-6 months (depending on age).

I think the country has done great in looking out for the more vulnerable populations to date. But people can't sustain that forever. We are fundamentally selfish beings if we don't allow people to live their lives they will eventually throw the baby out with the bath water.

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 7:44pm 1634539479

Hey come on, 25 people under 18 died of Covid in the UK, that is a whole 0.000041% of their population. Surely we need to keep them locked down and out of school forever.

by waymad | 18th Oct 21, 5:12pm 1634530345

Arden to hospo, retail et al:

This is my Kind Middle Finger......

by Pat.T | 18th Oct 21, 5:22pm 1634530952

I feel so sorry for you in Auckland, I'm getting frustrated listening to this government's BS, no clear direction or targets, the unvacinated are holding you to ransom.

This weak government will never weild the big stick as it may effect their voting base.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 5:29pm 1634531356

Yep it's all about politics.

Don't think because she's 'kind' that Jacinda is any less calculating than any leader NZ has ever had...

by C_T_20 | 18th Oct 21, 7:36pm 1634539011

How about the woefully underfunded health system is holding us all to randsom? Why haven’t the good doctors and nurses started striking together until successive governments have increased funding to reflect immigration levels and any number of other issues such as woeful buildings costing fortunes to build, leak and maintain and replace with more leaky buildings…? And that’s just for starters before we could ask why in earthe there has been zero mention by the PM of any specific alternative treatment and preventative measures to reduce likely demand from Covid infections…?

by Foxglove. | 18th Oct 21, 8:07pm 1634540855

Because the regionally elected members of the DHBs are gagged. The latest press releases by the DHBs, are no different, they have been written by the MoH in Wellington. And thus the government is to remove all local community representation and centralise all power and authority in Moscow.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 5:39pm 1634531948

Goodness me, many of my neighbours have piled on lots of weight, including a couple who have been walking quite a lot. I have stacked on about 5 kilos, I too walk reasonably frequently.

by sunchap | 18th Oct 21, 5:42pm 1634532138

Surely today has confirmed that she is our worst PM ever? On her watch; debt has ballooned by $55 billion; house prices have doubled; and she has sent us back to Weimar Germany with the stealing of fundamental freedoms... Go, go, go.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 5:45pm 1634532344

She's up there.

And pretty much everything she vowed to improve has got considerably worse.

A total phoney.

Unlike me, much of the left seem very forgiving...

by Nifty1 | 18th Oct 21, 5:54pm 1634532851

But hey covids to blame..."national wouldn't have done any better"...

by Brock Landers | 18th Oct 21, 5:57pm 1634533048

It's heartwarming to see so many people waking up to her true nature.

by Mr Frank | 18th Oct 21, 6:03pm 1634533387

Goodness we have something we agree on Landers.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:18pm 1634534319

I voted for her first time around, although I was suspicious. Didn't make the mistake a second time!

But many centre-lefters seem oblivious to her fakeness!!!

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 6:34pm 1634535255

I didn't vote for her first time but did second time. I wouldn't take that back. Her government (while she has to take the role of being wholly responsible I strongly suspect she does not make all the decisions) have been making difficult but good decisions on this front so far. Nothing at any point I have thought - "I could have done better". It is a totally sh*tty and complex situation end of. My gut tells me any other crew would have totally ballsed it by now, this far in.

However the decision today is just wrong. It needs to be reversed. Covid is coming, it's happening, we can't put our heads on the sand any longer. And we need to stop punishing Aucklanders, they have done everything right (within reasonable tolerances).

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 6:37pm 1634535424

Fully agree. I think they got it mostly right until now. They said there would be further easing as vaccination rates increased yet it will be at least 4 weeks without any despite vaccination rates increasing rapidly.

by Essen | 18th Oct 21, 7:33pm 1634538821

The problem is that the Labour Government have boxed themselves in. At some point, there needed to be a brave and upfront message that, at the end of the day, this was a pandemic, there were going to be cases, and some people were regrettably going to die. But they've committed themselves to a cause that is unsustainable and many at home are also fearful of the alternative (think the "lockdown lefties" on their own side that attacked them when they relaxed settings in Auckland). This means they can't change course. Although I don't like her policies, I respect her political nous, but I also believe they're going down the wrong track (politically) because they're going to upset the center. If National had a half-respectable leader, Labour would be in trouble, but it's possible Seymour will continue to surge and become the opposition.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 8:23pm 1634541818

Yep, boxed themselves into a corner indeed.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:55pm 1634536533

I am not simply judging on covid...

by Solve_it | 19th Oct 21, 7:34am 1634582096

I'm proud of them for giving the middle finger to investors. Long overdue and not something the opposition would have done (obviously). Took them too long, they are a true centrist govn so far (which is usually worse than useless to the vast majority), but they did get there eventually.

As for the rest of it, I have very low expectations of politicians so try not to look too closely as it's depressing. But hey, one or two good policy changes and up till yesterday what I thought was a good covid response and I'm willing to call that a general win. I don't expect governing a country with all the moving parts is an easy job.

by Believer1980 | 18th Oct 21, 7:19pm 1634537978

It is too soon to know who go it right. 10 years from now, we would be able to see if they were right or not (with consequences of their actions materialise).

by C_T_20 | 18th Oct 21, 7:44pm 1634539451

You will know within 2-3 years from now at the latest. The overall death rates will increase mysteriously, you just wait and see… Don’t expect any admissions of guilt however. This will be a tragedy already baked in. I am just glad I am not going to be one of the numbers. This government is not going to force me or my family into any experimental injections, but you are all welcome to it if you think it will be your salvation. What’s more, line up for boosters!

by Pragmatist | 19th Oct 21, 12:04am 1634555042

You're cracked mate

by Brutus Iscariot | 18th Oct 21, 6:28pm 1634534903

We're hostage to Maori.

The gangs spread the virus. Young maori don’t vaccinate. Then the rest of us get blamed for some ludicrous "genocide" and have to twiddle our thumbs waiting for the impossible.

by Brutus Iscariot | 18th Oct 21, 6:33pm 1634535182

Never thought I'd say this, but we need Key.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 6:36pm 1634535360

The issue is, he probably never would have locked us down. I'm not convinced that would have been the best decision for NZ. We were going pretty bloody well I thought. Until today. Today's decision for Auckland is not ok.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 6:57pm 1634536669

I was not and am not a Key fan.

But I suspect he would have handled this in a more balanced manner.

by Essen | 18th Oct 21, 7:36pm 1634538968

He would have. Ardern was reluctant to close borders and then slow to lockdown. Her hand was forced by health technocrats and Key's would have been forced in the same way. Remember, Key was a pragmatist (perhaps that's being kind, focus group driven may be more accurate), not ideological like Collins.

by Solve_it | 19th Oct 21, 7:42am 1634582542

His links with business were too strong for my liking. An obsession with economic metrics to the detriment of this country via mass immigration (infrastructure, social cohesion etc etc).

I don't really agree with you that he would be willing to act in the public good if it overrode the lobbying of his business groups. But I guess we will never know.

I suspect he would have opened too soon and we would have missed the hey days we had up till September when everyone else was wallowing.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 6:41pm 1634535717

Double post

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 6:50pm 1634536220

I wonder what these vaccination targets will be? I sure hope it doesn’t include a racial component because that will create hatred (can you imagine the talkback if we are in lockdown waiting for Maori to vaccinate).

I’m guessing it will be 90% double jabbed, that is still a long way away and a lot further away than any other country has waited.

by Brutus Iscariot | 18th Oct 21, 6:56pm 1634536598

They've already said it will be based on demographic sub groups. Race relations in NZ are about to take a major turn for the worse.

by Solve_it | 18th Oct 21, 7:00pm 1634536855

Yep and if you look at the vulnerable age demographics Maori have got the job done. So the young ones aren't vaccinated. It will spread quicker in that population but due to their age they are statistically very likely to come out of that totally fine.

What is the actual risk that we are trying to manage here? Our hospitals were never going to cope with anything more than their current loads pre covid. It's going to be a mess, let's just get on with it. I don't see anything we can do from here on in making a material difference.

by MortgageBelt | 18th Oct 21, 6:59pm 1634536777

95% Vax rate needed in ALL micro-communities now before Auckland can get to level 2.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300432929/covid19-auc…

So that may mean a long time.

At some stage lockdowns need to cease regardless and businesses return to business. Elimination is now futile.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 8:54pm 1634543661

There's no chance we'll get to that level...

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 9:42pm 1634546523

I don’t think logic comes into it with our supposed scientists. They would have us in lockdown for years to prevent a few hundred deaths if they had their way. God apparently we can start easing once we hit 90% double vax but not go to level 2! At what vax rate can we go to level 1?

by Believer1980 | 18th Oct 21, 7:27pm 1634538464

If vaccination is so important that we need to lock up 1.5 million people for few weeks so the vaccine hesitant get vaccinated, surely the government who professes the necessity of the vaccine, its utter significance etc, should be brave enough and compel vaccination.

If not so absolutely necessary as to require compulsion, then surely the same government could not justify keeping everyone locked up.

This government wants to achieve two completely opposite objectives.

by guwop | 18th Oct 21, 7:34pm 1634538857

The irony is we can't even really blame Jacinda & co.

Who do they get their orders from?

Who are the men and women behind the curtain?

In six months from now most of you will start to ask these questions as well.

by sunchap | 18th Oct 21, 7:49pm 1634539762

I think our PM is a follower, not a leader. After the CCP shut down a province, she followed.

The Swedes had a leader. And now have no Covid and beers in their hands...

by JimboJones | 18th Oct 21, 8:09pm 1634540946

And a 10% unemployment rate

by sunchap | 18th Oct 21, 8:32pm 1634542372

About 8% and Covid debt per person about 70% lower ...

by Zachary Smith | 18th Oct 21, 9:58pm 1634547528

Plus their unemployment rate has always been high.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 8:55pm 1634543750

As per higher up, my experience is that it's the politicians who are bossing a pliant bureaucracy, NOT the other way around.

by Davo36 | 18th Oct 21, 7:54pm 1634540087

You know what? This announcement didn't phase me much at all. Because I decided to do whatever the hell I want to some weeks back. And yes I'm vaccinated.

This is not a dangerous disease unless you're very unwell or very old.

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 8:29pm 1634542169

Good attitude.

Between work commitments I am going to get out to beaches and reserves 2-3 times per week, might as well make the most of nature, given there's little else to do!

by CWBW | 18th Oct 21, 10:31pm 1634549468

The Labour government is like a broken diode- neither is it able to decide whether to permit a positive or a negative direction nor produce any legible or half decent sinusoidal wave.

by 1986 | 18th Oct 21, 9:07pm 1634544426

I reckon they are targeting February 2022 for opening up.

First up, hopefully some hot summer weather and everyone is outside which will see cases numbers being low.

Our last xmas closed off from the world, traffic light system starting to be used, low cases start spreading throughout North Island.

Vaccine passports.

Jan 1st mandatory vaccinations for teachers comes in to effect, school starts in one month. (plus more to follow but mandated by businesses so govt doesn't look bad), AirNZ mandatory vaccinations for all international travellers Feb 1st.

Feb 1st would allow plenty of time for people to be vaccinated and maybe a few different vaccine options for the mRNA hesitant have arrived later in the year. Non mRNA Booster shots begin being rolled out too...

by kiwichas | 18th Oct 21, 9:43pm 1634546614

Cabin fever, just what a hungry virus needs

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 9:55pm 1634547305

And a whole lot of people getting fatter and unhealthier!

by kiwichas | 18th Oct 21, 10:04pm 1634547878

Dormice in hibernation??

by HouseMouse | 18th Oct 21, 10:16pm 1634548568

nice, squeak

by kiwichas | 19th Oct 21, 7:17am 1634581032

They don't want to get too fat and tasty

EEK!

Dormice favoured by Italian mafia seized in drugs raid

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58938494

by Belle | 18th Oct 21, 10:49pm 1634550593

I am sort of amused. You all did as you were told and took the experimental jab. For what? She suckered you all.

She is and always was a liar. You bought hook line and sinker. Good luck with that.

by Solve_it | 19th Oct 21, 3:29am 1634567389

The frustration here today has zero to do with your antivax rhetoric.

Absolutely it still stands that if you are not vaccinated today without a medical exemption you are a f*ing idiot, and dumber than the dumb decision made by Jacinda and co today by a long shot.

by Roy1 | 18th Oct 21, 10:55pm 1634550941

She has ru out of luck.

by Uh Oh | 18th Oct 21, 10:57pm 1634551041

Yes well.... another example of moving goal posts with no clear direction... what did we really expect...? I mean they did say it's a fluid situation right?

I think this govt is alienating most of the population especially Auckland with its PR rubbish

Can't wait for labour to be out - now just need a viable alternative party that doesn't have self interest at it's core