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

Let the people hold the paintbrush
Policy He Poneketanga

Deb Te Kawa: Let the people hold the paintbrush

Central government works best when communities get a real say.

Deb Te Kawa 13 Jan 2025
BlackRock gives foreign investment a bad name
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: BlackRock gives foreign investment a bad name

If it had set out to be disliked in NZ, BlackRock would be succeeding handsomely.

Pattrick Smellie 13 Jan 2025
My top columns from 2024
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: My top columns from 2024

From Spark losing its literal Mojo to fleeing talent and overpriced houses. 

Dileepa Fonseka 11 Jan 2025