Omicron arrives – we're all over it already

Omicron arrives – we're all over it already
Late preparations for rapid antigen testing remain an Achilles heel for the government. (Image: Dan Brunskill)
Pattrick Smellie
The first rumour came at 8.49am Sunday morning from our family Facebook messenger account.A “friend in government” was suggesting an 11am announcement about going to red for omicron.“Ah, the covid rumour mill – working already,” I thought and dismissed it. We’d seen this repeatedly in previous preludes to alert and traffic light level changes.More compelling evidence was soon to emerge.Driving into central Wellington through Thorndon, there was Grant Robertson getting into a car in a pressed shirt, carrying t...

More Opinion

All things macro ...
Opinion

Simon Robertson: All things macro ...

Talking about your macro trades at cocktail parties is top shelf.

Simon Robertson 16 Aug 2025
What to do about the entrepreneurship drain
Opinion

Peter Griffin: What to do about the entrepreneurship drain

NZ can’t control Australia’s salaries, but it can control the friction.

Peter Griffin 13 Aug 2025
Investment thriller: ‘Return of the IMF’
Opinion

David Chaplin: Investment thriller: ‘Return of the IMF’

Whether NZ complies with global best practice and licences custody could be moot.

David Chaplin 12 Aug 2025