BREAKING: Ashley Bloomfield stepping down

Wed, 06 Apr 2022

The face of the government's health response to the covid-19 pandemic, Ashley Bloomfield, has announced his resignation.The director general of health since June 2018, Bloomfield will leave the post on July 29, about a year before the end of his five-year term of appointment.He became a household name in 2020 from the daily public briefings that became appointment viewing for the nation during pandemic lockdowns and subsequent developments.However, as the head of the Ministry of Health, Bloomfield also effectively had the scale and scope of...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

World

Why are Americans relocating? The data shows surprises

Americans remain the most mobile among the populations of developed countries.

The Washington Post 5:00am

My Net Worth

My Net Worth: Megan Welch, Kathmandu CEO

From Crocs to Kathmandu: Megan Welch’s high-energy, say-yes approach to leadership.

Cécile Meier 5:00am

My Net Worth: Megan Welch, Kathmandu CEO

On the Money

On the Money: Kathmandu, the Warehouse, Luxon, and more

Your weekly dose of corporate fun.

Victoria Young 04 Oct 2025

On the Money: Kathmandu, the Warehouse, Luxon, and more

Sponsored

Fiji’s exclusive side revealed

Private islands and 5-star luxury, closer than you think.

Tourism Fiji

Sponsored

The double edge of AI in cyber security

Artificial intelligence has the potential to become both a lifeline and a liability for modern organisations, as a revolutionary tool capable of spotting threats at lightning speed, but also the ultimate weapon in the hands of cybercriminals.

Spark