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

Fixing the public service
Opinion

Deb Te Kawa: Fixing the public service

Public Sector Act reform rightly aims at results, rather than cuts.

Off-the-shelf AI leading the way
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Off-the-shelf AI leading the way

Long-promised productivity gains from AI will soon be reflected in NZ's economy.

Peter Griffin 02 Apr 2025
Willis can do more to fix banking competition
Finance

Andrew Body: Willis can do more to fix banking competition

A competitive banking system needs more than lower capital adequacy ratios.

Andrew Body 02 Apr 2025
Rātā tests trust boundaries with fund buy
Opinion

David Chaplin: Rātā tests trust boundaries with fund buy

The community trust sector has been veering into more exotic investment territory.

David Chaplin 01 Apr 2025