Hon Chris Hipkins

New Zealanders who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations will be able to download an updated My Vaccine Pass from 24 May.

New Zealand is fully reopening to international students and the Government is committed to help reinvigorate and strengthen the sector, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced a major package of reforms, which include an early opening of New Zealand’s border and a simplification of immigration settings, to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.

Significant improvements are being made in New Zealand workplaces to better protect whistleblowers.

The Government is extending support for trades training programmes that see tens of thousands of New Zealanders in jobs and training, helping accelerate our economic recovery.

The Government is broadening the ability for residence class visa holders to re-enter New Zealand, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins has announced.

The Government is committed to improving student attendance at school and kura, Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti said in a pre-Budget announcement today.

People who have genuine reasons for not being able to wear a face mask can access a new personalised exemption card from the end of May.

Kiwis will be able to enjoy the long weekend with greater freedoms across the country from 11:59pm on Wednesday as New Zealand moves to Orange.

Public consultation has opened on a proposal for primary schools to only offer healthy drinks, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins announced today.

From tomorrow, young people aged 16 and 17 can receive a free booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months after completing their primary course.

New Zealand is seeing a drop in cases, but as Omicron takes hold in our regions, public health advice tells us now is not the time for the country to move to Orange.

The Government has launched a new targeted rural service of rapid antigen tests for those who live in remote rural areas.

The Government has a plan to improve how and what our kids are learning at school, Education and Associate Education Ministers Chris Hipkins, Jan Tinetti and Kelvin Davis announced today.

Every young person in school and kura will soon start learning about how Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories have shaped our lives, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today.

New Zealanders once again have the opportunity for life-changing education experiences overseas, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today.

Nearly a million more rapid antigen tests are being made available and easier to access in schools and early learning centres, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced appointments to the boards of Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

Managed Isolation and Quarantine is beginning to scale down its operations as international travel starts back up, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced today.

The isolation period for COVID-19 cases and their household contacts will be reduced from 10 to seven days, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins announced today.

New Zealanders will soon be able to access a third type of COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today.

The Government is removing the self-isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers to New Zealand and enabling Kiwis to come here from the rest of the world sooner.

The Government is ensuring schools and kura are prepared for Omicron, with access to masks and rapid antigen tests where needed, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today.

Ministers have confirmed a move to the next phase of the Government’s Omicron response from 11:59pm tonight (Thursday, 24 February), COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today.