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COVID-19 Response
Now apologise for MIQ
June 22, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Good on Chris Hipkins for belatedly apologising for breaching Charlotte Bellis’ privacy, but the Government now needs to apologise for the whole of MIQ, National COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government should apologise, not appeal
June 20, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government should quit while it’s behind and rule out appealing the Grounded Kiwis High Court judgment says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
National welcomes removal of pre-departure testing
June 16, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government has finally done the right thing in belatedly abolishing pre-departure tests for travel to New Zealand, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
High Court says MIQ breached Kiwis’ rights
June 15, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Declarations issued by the High Court today confirm that the operation of MIQ in late 2021 breached the fundamental right of New Zealanders to return to their home country, says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
PCR testing backlog predictable
June 14, 2022
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Chris Bishop
A report out today shows the backlog of PCR testing was foreseeable and Ministers should take responsibility for a lack of action, National’s Covid-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Drop pre-departure testing right now
June 13, 2022
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Chris Bishop
New Zealand should follow the United States’ lead and drop all pre-departure testing requirements for incoming passengers, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Govt paused RAT applications for two months
May 07, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Only three types of rapid antigen tests were approved by early December 2021 because the Labour Government didn’t bother processing applications for two months, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Court confirms MIQ was state sponsored cruelty
April 27, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Grounded Kiwis court ruling is a victory for the many Kiwis who wanted to come home and couldn’t because of the lottery of human misery that was the MIQ system, National Party spokesperson for Covid-19 Response Chris Bishop says.
Government panic over RATs laid bare
April 12, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Internal Ministry of Health emails reveal how panicked the Government was in January when it became clear that they hadn’t ordered enough rapid antigen tests early enough, says National’s Covid-19 Response Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
NZ poor cousins to Australia, yet again
March 24, 2022
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Chris Bishop
As New Zealand moves into the next phase of the pandemic, the Government needs to move urgently on next generation treatments for Covid-19 and make them available to Kiwis, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Good first steps but Govt must cede control
March 23, 2022
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Chris Bishop
National welcomes today’s announcement that vaccine passes and scanning requirements will be abolished, outdoor gathering limits will be scrapped and some vaccine mandates will be phased out, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Quiet unvaccinated rule change raises questions
March 20, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s quiet move to allow unvaccinated New Zealand citizens and other travellers back into the country is welcome, but further calls into question their Traffic Light Framework, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Time to get New Zealand back to normal
March 18, 2022
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Christopher Luxon
With Auckland past the peak of Omicron and the rest of New Zealand approaching that point, Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon and Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop say the Government should take immediate steps to get New Zealand back to normality.
National welcomes wider reopening of NZ
March 16, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s move to bring forward the reopening date to international tourists is overdue but welcome news, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay say.
What’s happening with boosters for 16 year olds?
March 12, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government needs to urgently explain what on earth is going on with COVID booster vaccinations for 16 and 17 year olds, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Tertiary Education spokesperson Penny Simmonds say.
Hipkins breaches privacy against MFAT instruction
March 10, 2022
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Chris Bishop
New information reveals that Chris Hipkins not only breached Charlotte Bellis’ privacy by releasing her personal details, but also ignored Ministry of Foreign Affairs instruction that those details were ‘not for public comment’, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Govt to blame for testing shambles, not Bloomfield
March 02, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government needs to stop throwing Ashley Bloomfield under the bus and take responsibility for its failures to ensure New Zealand’s testing capacity was ready for the surge in Covid-19 cases, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Massive backlog of tests comes as no surprise
March 01, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Ministry of Health’s admission that it has a major backlog of tests will come as a surprise to no one and is emblematic of the shambles that is the Government’s testing regime, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Drop isolation rules for incoming travellers
February 28, 2022
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Christopher Luxon
Travellers entering New Zealand should be able to enter the community immediately provided they have a negative Covid test on arrival, Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon says.
High Court rules police, defence mandates unlawful
February 25, 2022
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Christopher Luxon
The High Court’s decision that vaccine mandates for police officers and defence force personnel are unlawful and not justified must be a wake-up call for the Government over every other vaccine mandate given Omicron is in the community, says Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon.
Govt failures to blame for RAT debacle
February 24, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government has failed to prepare New Zealand for the move to Phase 3 with still nowhere near enough rapid antigen tests for everyone to be able to exercise their individual responsibility, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National launches rapid test petition
February 23, 2022
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Chris Bishop
National is launching a campaign to demand that the Government allow pharmacies and supermarkets to sell rapid antigen tests, Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Overloaded PCR test centres prove need for RATs
February 20, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government must urgently ramp up the supply and availability of rapid antigen tests with PCR testing stations across the country becoming increasingly overwhelmed, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Children and teachers shut out of RAT scheme
February 17, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s failure to order enough rapid antigen tests is causing chaos for New Zealand’s children and schools, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Education spokesperson Erica Stanford say.
Hipkins confirms Govt doesn’t have enough RATs
February 15, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government has admitted that the reason why their bureaucratic ‘test-to-work’ regime for close contacts doesn’t apply to every worker is because they don’t have enough rapid antigen tests, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says
Make RATs available to everyone now
February 14, 2022
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Chris Bishop
With the surge in Omicron cases and the move to Phase 2, the Government needs to make rapid antigen tests available to anyone who wants them, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
More RAT confusion for workers
February 10, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government has managed to make an already-confusing situation for companies grappling with isolation rules even more baffling, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government admits it took tests already in NZ
February 07, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Ministry of Health’s admission that its confiscation last month of rapid tests ordered by the private sector included tests already in the country is deeply concerning and Ministers need to front up on the matter, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National release 10-point Omicron plan
February 04, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Given the Government has listened to National’s policy to end MIQ for vaccinated travellers and recognised the importance of rapid tests, National is proposing more ideas to improve the response to Omicron, says National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Say yes to the dress, no to the mask
February 01, 2022
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Chris Bishop
Brides will be walking down the aisle wearing a mask this summer because of the Government’s nonsensical mask rules that kick in on February 4, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson says.
Rapid antigen test confiscation gets worse
January 28, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s confiscation of rapid antigen tests ordered by the private sector has gone from bad to worse, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
More questions than answers in wafer-thin plan
January 26, 2022
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Chris Bishop
After dropping the ball so badly with Delta, it’s staggering the Government didn’t spend the summer developing a proper plan for Omicron, says National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Government hiding incompetence by seizing rapid tests
January 25, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government is seizing rapid tests from the private sector to try and hide their incompetence from not ordering enough of them sooner, National Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Govt must move fast on next generation Covid-19 treatments
January 25, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The Government must move as fast as possible to approve and order supply of promising new Covid-19 treatments, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Lottery of human misery now just misery
January 19, 2022
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Chris Bishop
The lottery of human misery that is MIQ has now just become human misery for the million Kiwis abroad who are shut out of their own country, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Where’s the urgency on boosters and kids?
January 10, 2022
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Chris Bishop
It’s ridiculous that the Book My Vaccine website will not allow people to book in for booster vaccinations four months after a person’s second dose, and still doesn’t allow parents to book in for kids’ vaccinations, says National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Rapid COVID test plan needed for omicron
January 04, 2022
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Chris Bishop
“The Government must get ready for the transmission of omicron in the community by ensuring we have enough supply of rapid tests in New Zealand and making them available to vaccinated and unvaccinated people through pharmacies and supermarkets, says National’s COVID-19 Response Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Govt must act on boosters, kids vaccines and rapid tests
December 30, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The government must urgently move to allow people vaccinated four months ago to get their third booster jab, bring forward the timeline for kids’ vaccines, and stop the perverse ban on rapid antigen testing, says National COVID-19 Response Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Boosters should start now
December 23, 2021
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Chris Bishop
People who want to get a third ‘booster’ shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine shouldn’t have to wait until early January to do so, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson, Chris Bishop says.
National welcomes booster changes
December 21, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s good news that the Government has reduced the standard gap between the second dose and booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine from six months to four months, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Zero Covid cases in fully vaccinated travellers from Australia since August 23
December 14, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government should immediately allow fully vaccinated travellers from Australia to come to New Zealand and skip MIQ before Christmas in light of Chris Hipkins’ admission in Parliament today that there has not been a single positive Covid case in fully vaccinated travellers from Australia from August 23 to December 6, National’s Covid-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
NZ should accelerate boosters
December 13, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealand should be seriously considering following the lead of the UK and Australia and bring forward booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for New Zealand, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Officials recommended South Island go to Green
December 09, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Under questioning in the House today Chris Hipkins has finally revealed that Ministry of Health officials’ initial advice was that Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and the whole of the South should have entered the Traffic Light Framework at Green, National’s spokesperson for Covid-19 Response Chris Bishop says.
Which regions could be at Green?
December 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government should front up and be honest about which regions Health officials said could be in “Green” at the start of the Traffic Light Framework, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Traffic lights still not ready to go
December 01, 2021
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Chris Bishop
With less than 48 hours before New Zealand moves to the traffic light system, Labour still hasn’t put in place key elements to make the system work, National Covid-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Arrogant Government rams through traffic light Bill
November 24, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s Bill to give effect to the Traffic Light Framework shows a Government that is contemptuous of Parliament, contemptuous of the New Zealand people and contemptuous of the rule of law, says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Jacinda steals Christmas from Kiwis in Australia
November 24, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s panicked MIQ announcement goes nowhere near far enough and means that Jacinda Ardern will be stopping Kiwis in Australia from coming home for Christmas, says National COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Zero fully vaccinated Aus travellers test positive in MIQ
November 23, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Chris Hipkins admission in Parliament this afternoon that zero fully vaccinated travellers from Australia have tested positive in MIQ since August 23 should prompt him to immediately open the Trans-Tasman Bubble, says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Traffic lights to become law without any scrutiny
November 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s intention to ram through the traffic light framework legislation under urgency this week with no opportunity for public consultation is an outrageous abuse of power, says National’s Covid spokesperson Chris Bishop.
MIQ stumps NZ Men’s U19 Cricketers World Cup hopes
November 18, 2021
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Chris Bishop
“The lottery of human misery that is MIQ has forced the New Zealand Men’s Under 19 Cricket Team to cancel their attendance at the 2022 U19 Cricket World Cup, says National’s COVID-19 Response Spokesperson Chris Bishop
Government wasn’t ready for home isolation
November 17, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The first appearance before the Health Committee in almost two months by Chris Hipkins and Dr Ashley Bloomfield has revealed just how poorly prepared the Government was for Delta, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Government only signed vaccine pass contract in October
November 16, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The disclosure by Chris Hipkins in Question Time today that the Ministry of Health only signed its contract with MATTR to develop a vaccine pass for domestic use in New Zealand on October 13 is staggering, says National’s Covid spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Kiwis still out of pocket for over 14,000 MIQ stays
November 16, 2021
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Chris Bishop
There are over 14,000 people who stayed in MIQ prior to 24 March 2021 who still haven’t been invoiced, says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Booster boost comes better late than never
November 15, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Today’s decision on Covid booster shots is positive but overdue, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Australia opens up as NZ remains a fortress
November 15, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealand should be following Australia’s lead and opening up to the rest of the world by scrapping MIQ for fully vaccinated travellers, says National’s Covid Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Auditor-General slams saliva testing procurement
November 11, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is deeply troubling that the Auditor-General has identified “serious concerns” about aspects of the Government’s saliva testing procurement process this year and the need for an urgent independent inquiry has never been greater, says National’s COVID-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Minister of Health says Ministry of Health should release Māori health data
November 11, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Since the High Court delivered its resounding view that the Ministry of Health should release critical individual data to the Whānau Ora Commission Agency to improve Māori communities Covid vaccination rates, everyone’s still waiting – despite the Minister of Health agreeing with the Court’s view.
More than 230,000 people have never secured MIQ spaces
November 09, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Never before released data shows the scale of the humanitarian disaster that is New Zealand’s MIQ system, says National’s Covid spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Experts support end to MIQ
November 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
As National’s petition to ‘End MIQ Now’ ticks past 75,000 signatures, public health experts have backed the idea that current MIQ requirements for vaccinated arrivals to Auckland could be dropped for most without increasing risk to Aucklanders, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
50,000 sign up in less than a day to end MIQ
November 05, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National’s campaign to end MIQ has had an incredible response, with 50,000 people signing the petition less than 24 hours after launch, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
National launches campaign to end MIQ
November 04, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The time has come to end the lottery of human misery that is MIQ, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
More than 600 Covid test results returned later than 24 hours
November 03, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is staggering that, 18 months into the global pandemic and after repeated warnings about testing capacity, more than 600 positive tests for Covid in this current outbreak took longer than 24 hours to be returned, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Health Minister dithered for five months before arranging MIQ spots for critical health workers
November 03, 2021
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Erica Stanford
It is unforgivable that Health Minister Andrew Little took five months to act before arranging priority MIQ spots for critical health workers, say National’s Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford and Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
MIQ hotel all but empty while Kiwis stuck offshore
October 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is unbelievable that the Wellington Grand Mercure MIQ hotel had a grand total of just one guest for a week while over 100 rooms in the hotel remained empty, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government still hasn't ordered Covid vaccine for kids aged 5-11
October 28, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Chris Hipkins’ admission in Parliament today that the Government hasn’t yet ordered paediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year-olds, and that Pfizer hasn’t yet applied for approval of use in New Zealand should prompt him to move with urgency to sort the situation out, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
MIQ changes don’t go nearly far enough
October 28, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s changes to the cruel MIQ system are a start but they need to go much further and much more quickly, says National’s Covid spokesperson Chris Bishop.
National halts Labour’s local government power grab
October 28, 2021
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Christopher Luxon
National has forced the Government to back down on an electoral power grab buried in a Covid bill.
Time to end the lottery of human misery
October 26, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s time to end the lottery of human misery that is MIQ, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop, ahead of the Government’s announcement of long-awaited changes to the failed system.
Back of the pack again – this time vax certificates
October 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is unfathomable that after 10 months of the vaccine roll-out New Zealanders still don’t have easy access to vaccine certificates, National’s Covid-19 Spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Just two Covid cases in vaccinated travellers on day eight in MIQ since August
October 20, 2021
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Chris Bishop
On the eve of another MIQ lottery, the fact that only two fully vaccinated travellers have tested positive for Covid on day eight of their 14-day quarantine since August 23 proves it is past time for the Government to loosen MIQ requirements, says National’s Covid Recovery spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Government wakes up to National’s call for MIQ spots to be allocated to health workers
October 20, 2021
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Erica Stanford
The Government has finally got its act together and adopted National’s policy calling for MIQ spots to be allocated for critical health workers, says National’s Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford and Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Government sat on vital DHB vaccine ‘equity plans’ for Māori and Pasifika
October 19, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government has had week-by-week breakdowns of how many Covid vaccinations for Māori and Pasifika people each district health board said would deliver but has sat on the information for months, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Why did Ministry tell Rako to not reserve any public testing capacity?
October 14, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Extraordinary revelations from Rako Science today before the Health Select Committee raise further troubling questions about the way the Government has handled saliva testing, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Vaccine certificates delayed – again
October 13, 2021
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Chris Bishop
News today that it will be won’t be until late November that Kiwis will be able to prove their vaccination status in easily downloadable and printable form is disgraceful, says National Covid Recovery spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Urgent need for saliva testing inquiry
October 12, 2021
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Chris Bishop
News today of a leaked study into saliva testing in New Zealand raises troubling questions which can only be answered by a full and independent inquiry, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Where are the vaccine boosters?
October 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Six weeks on from Dr Bloomfield saying discussions with Pfizer were at a “crucial stage” and six months on from the initial lot of border workers having their second jabs, Kiwis deserve to know what’s happening now with vaccine boosters, says National’s Covid Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Testing expert group slams Government response
October 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s own independent technical advisors on testing have slammed the Government’s inaction on using saliva testing and rapid antigen testing, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Govt kept Pfizer waiting six weeks before first meeting
October 06, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Pfizer first approached the Government for a meeting to discuss their Covid-19 vaccine in June last year but it took six weeks before the Government got around to meeting with them, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government must buy Covid treatments now
October 05, 2021
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Chris Bishop
News from Merck that their antiviral pill, Molnupiravir, reduces the chances that patients newly diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised by about 50 per cent is incredibly encouraging and should prompt the New Zealand Government to urgently contract for this drug and other next generation Covid treatments, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government has choices and needs to make them now
October 04, 2021
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Chris Bishop
In the absence of a coherent strategy or plan from the Government to deal with the ongoing outbreak in Auckland other than abject surrender, National’s Chris Bishop says there are a number of actions the Government can take immediately to enhance the Covid response.
Time has run out on Government’s incoherent Covid strategy
October 04, 2021
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Judith Collins
The Government’s incoherent and timid approach to the Covid pandemic shows it lacks the courage required to make tough decisions for the benefit of New Zealand, says Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins.
What is the Government’s Covid strategy?
September 30, 2021
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Judith Collins
Talk from the Prime Minister that Auckland could move to Alert Level 2 next week but keep its boundary highlights the Government’s lack of strategy underpinning the current lockdown, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.
Govt wants power to delay local elections through 2023
September 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government must urgently explain why it wants to give itself the power to delay next year’s local body elections limitless times through to 2023, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Local Government spokesperson Christopher Luxon say.
National seizing immigration opportunities
September 29, 2021
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Erica Stanford
Opening up to the world doesn’t just give Kiwis the opportunity to come home, but it also gives New Zealand opportunities to attract talent from overseas, National’s Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford says.
National planning for a strong health system
September 29, 2021
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Dr Shane Reti
National’s Covid-19 Plan, ‘Opening Up’ includes a strong priority on improving our hospitals, expanding our ICU capacity and funding treatments for Covid-19, National’s Health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health spokesperson Simon Watts say.
Ten steps for vigorous suppression of Covid-19
September 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The time will soon come for New Zealand to pivot from an elimination strategy to one of vigorous suppression, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National’s plan allows for vaccinated travel
September 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National’s plan to reopen New Zealand would reunite Kiwi families, allow New Zealanders to travel overseas for business and pleasure, boost tourism and international education, and end the depressing and outrageous human lottery that is the MIQ debacle, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National launches plan to open New Zealand up
September 29, 2021
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Judith Collins
Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins today launched National’s comprehensive plan to tackle Covid-19, end lockdowns and reopen New Zealand to the world.
Government delayed vaccine rollout by two months
September 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Leaked internal documents from the Ministry of Health show New Zealand’s entire stock of Pfizer vaccine was due to be delivered by the end of September but the Government consciously slowed down the deliveries, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
MIQ lobby debut a depressing debacle
September 20, 2021
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Chris Bishop
This morning’s debut of the new ‘virtual lobby’ system for MIQ allocation was both depressing and a debacle, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Rapid testing should be used at Auckland border
September 16, 2021
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Chris Bishop
News that a truck driver who passed through the Auckland border has tested positive for Covid-19 highlights why rapid antigen testing should be used at the Auckland boundary for essential workers, National Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate to avoid lockdowns
September 14, 2021
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Chris Bishop
While National welcomes the Prime Minister’s recognition that lockdowns can be avoided if we get as many people as possible vaccinated, we continue to call on her to be honest with New Zealand and give us the conditions for when this can occur, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
‘Short and sharp’ lockdown will be the longest ever
September 13, 2021
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Judith Collins
The Government had no choice but to extend the Auckland Level 4 Covid lockdown and ongoing restrictions elsewhere in the country because of its own ongoing failures, says Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins and Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Government rules out vaccinating in MIQ
September 13, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is ridiculous the Government has no plan to stand up vaccination clinics in MIQ facilities, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
No mention of Delta strain in Government plans
September 09, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s lack of planning for a Covid-19 Delta outbreak is starkly illustrated by the fact that it is not mentioned even once in its two most recent Covid-19 plans, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Turns out we could get vaccines earlier
September 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
After months of being told there was no way to speed up the vaccine supply into New Zealand, it turns out all the Government needed to do was go and ask, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Time to introduce rapid antigen testing
September 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s effective ban on rapid antigen testing made no sense before and makes even less sense now in light of the new testing requirements for essential workers crossing the Auckland border, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Saliva testing welcome but long overdue
September 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s move to introduce saliva testing as additional surveillance testing technology is welcome but long overdue, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour must release Māori and Pacific vaccination plans
September 06, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government must release the week by week plans showing what the expected vaccination rates are for each District Health Board for their Māori and Pacific populations, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour’s failure to plan means Covid cases isolating at home
September 03, 2021
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Chris Bishop
A lack of planning by the Government for a Delta outbreak has meant as of 1pm yesterday 78 Covid-19 positive people were isolating at home, having not yet been moved into quarantine, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Answers needed over MIQ escapee
September 02, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Answers are needed quickly from the Government over how a Covid positive person escaped from the Ibis Novotel Ellerslie MIQ facility, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National’s plan to fix managed isolation allocation system
September 02, 2021
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Judith Collins
It’s clear Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) is going to be with us for some time, so it’s past time we fixed the festering issues with our current system. National is proposing five sensible improvements to the beleaguered Managed Isolation Allocation System.
National’s plan to fix managed isolation allocation system
September 02, 2021
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It’s clear Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) is going to be with us for some time, so it’s past time we fixed the festering issues with our current system. National is proposing five sensible improvements to the beleaguered Managed Isolation Allocation System.
Labour has dropped the MIQ ball
September 01, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Reports today that Wellington's Covid-19 cases are being allowed to exercise in an underground car park are a further illustration that the Government has not moved quickly or robustly enough in response to the Delta variant of Covid-19, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour recklessly delayed vaccine shipments
August 31, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Labour Government has recklessly delayed vaccine shipments to New Zealand, putting the health and freedom of all New Zealanders at risk, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
PM says too much vaccination demand
August 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s incompetent and negligent vaccine contracting is coming back to haunt them as the Prime Minister warns the country risks running out of vaccines, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government must release more outbreak data
August 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government needs to be much more upfront and release more comprehensive data about the current Covid-19 community outbreak, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National launches plan to supercharge vaccination
August 26, 2021
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Judith Collins
With the Delta variant of Covid-19 having well and truly arrived in New Zealand, the National Party is calling on the Government to supercharge the vaccination rollout throughout the country with a new strategy, says Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins.
Crowne Plaza passing infection audits unbelievable
August 25, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Confirmation that the Crowne Plaza passed all its infection control audits, including as recently in June, beggars belief, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Where on earth is saliva testing?
August 25, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop is asking why we aren’t using saliva testing in the community as part of the fight against the current delta outbreak.
Gobsmacking: Hipkins claims vaccine rollout has not been slow
August 24, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Kiwis will be shaking their heads in disbelief at Chris Hipkins’ comments to the Health Committee today that he doesn’t think the vaccine rollout in New Zealand has been slow, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Hipkins’ vaccine supply claim dodges fact – we could and should have got it earlier
August 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Chris Hipkins’ claim there was nothing New Zealand could have done to secure Pfizer vaccines any earlier flies in the face of hard facts, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Lack of planning causing chaos
August 20, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s become very clear since the Level 4 countrywide lockdown started that the Government has done absolutely no planning around how testing would be scaled-up and vaccination would continue under lockdown, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Opening New Zealand still hinges on vaccine rollout
August 12, 2021
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Judith Collins
Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says the announcements from the Government around reconnecting New Zealand to the world are a step in the right direction, but speeding up and effectively rolling out the Covid-19 vaccination programme is the most important thing to do right now.
Government blocks Bloomfield recall, again
August 11, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government continues to block transparency around its response to Covid-19, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
No urgency on port worker vaccinations
August 10, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government needs to explain why it hasn’t acted sooner to increase the uptake of vaccinations against Covid-19 at our ports, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
60 per cent of Bay of Plenty port workers without a jab
August 09, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s deeply concerning that 60 per cent of port workers in the Bay of Plenty haven’t had a single vaccine especially when there are 11 cases of Covid-19 in a ship off Tauranga, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Bloomfield “all over” UN worker transfer
August 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Dr Ashley Bloomfield’s letter to Parliament’s Health Committee apologising for providing incorrect information about the Covid-19 infected UN worker raises more questions than it answers, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
New Zealand hasn’t ordered any extra Pfizer doses
August 06, 2021
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Chris Bishop
While the rest of the world orders hundreds of millions of extra Pfizer doses for 2022 and 2023 to be used as ‘booster’ shots, New Zealand hasn’t bothered, National’s Covid-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour has no intention to meet end of year vaccine target
August 04, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Newly-released DHB plans show the Labour Government is planning to break its promise that everyone eligible in New Zealand will be offered a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the year, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
$8 million in overdue MIQ payments
July 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Latest figures released to National show there is about $8 million in overdue MIQ payments and that only in the last couple of weeks has the Government started to use debt collectors to chase the money, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government’s vaccine rollout a shambles
July 28, 2021
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Judith Collins
The Government’s excruciatingly slow and chaotic vaccine rollout shows it has no idea how to get the lifesaving vaccine to New Zealanders, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.
DHB vaccine targets meaningless
July 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National has analysed the DHB vaccination numbers against their populations and it turns out the ‘targets’ DHBs are using to track their progress are essentially meaningless, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
NZ only ordered Pfizer vaccines on January 29 this year
July 21, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealand remaining last in the OECD for the speed of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out can be partly explained by the fact New Zealand only ordered Pfizer vaccines on January 29 this year, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Taxpayers shouldn’t foot MIQ bill for mariners
July 16, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealanders abroad who can’t get a MIQ spot for love or money will be outraged to hear that COVID-19 positive mariners are getting a free ride on the taxpayer, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National calls for an investigation into ‘graph-gate’
July 15, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is critical we get to the bottom of why the Minister of Health turned up to a press conference and released a manifestly inaccurate and misleading graph on New Zealand’s vaccination roll out, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Saliva testing delayed – again
July 14, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s been ten months since the Government’s own experts said ‘all efforts’ should be made to introduce saliva testing as soon as possible, but the Government has delayed the roll out yet again, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
New Zealand now last in OECD for full vaccinations
July 12, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealand’s vaccine roll out is going from bad to worse, with New Zealand now last in the developed world for the percentage of the population who have been fully vaccinated as well as for vaccination doses delivered per 100 people, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
45 per cent of port workers still without a single jab
July 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The National Party has obtained a document showing nearly half of port workers have not had a single COVID-19 vaccine dose, despite the port being a gateway for COVID-19 into New Zealand, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government told saliva testing should be main test
July 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government has been told by its own independent expert advisory group that there is a ‘strong case for adopting saliva testing as the main method for testing in New Zealand’, yet it’s still done nothing about it, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
What’s happening with Canterbury’s vaccine roll out?
July 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government needs to work out urgently what’s happening with Canterbury’s vaccine roll out, which is looking increasingly shambolic and slow, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government incompetence over saliva testing
July 06, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government’s sheer incompetence on rolling out saliva testing is staggering, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
$6.5 million in MIQ fees overdue and unpaid
July 01, 2021
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Chris Bishop
After nearly a year of charging for MIQ, it’s staggering the Government hasn’t made paying for MIQ easier and made more of an effort to go after those who aren’t paying their fees, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Hipkins’ comments staggeringly naïve
June 30, 2021
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Chris Bishop
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins’ comments that ‘there’s no major downside’ to New Zealand’s slow vaccine roll out are staggeringly naïve, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour expects NZ to believe vaccine rollout is successful
June 17, 2021
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Chris Bishop
New Zealanders were promised that they would be at the ‘front of the queue’ but the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues to be behind schedule and poorly communicated, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour break MIQ promise leaving families split
June 15, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The government has quietly broken yet another election promise, resulting in thousands of critical workers being unable to enter New Zealand and migrant families separated, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
No more excuses for the Govt’s vaccine shambles
June 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Confirmation that a million doses of the Pfizer vaccine coming in July removes the last remaining excuse for the Government’s pathetically slow COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, National COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government to blame for border testing bungle
June 03, 2021
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Chris Bishop
A report released today shows the Government is squarely to blame for the border testing bungle that resulted in a security guard at a MIQ hotel going five months without being tested when he should have been tested fortnightly, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour once again stops Covid scrutiny
June 02, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Labour’s repeated refusal to allow senior officials to be questioned before Parliament’s Health Select Committee is an abuse of power, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
OECD criticises New Zealand’s slow vaccine rollout
June 01, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The OECD’s criticism of our slow vaccine rollout should serve as a grim warning to the Government that it needs to pick up the pace, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Govt’s taken eight months to act on saliva testing
May 26, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It’s taken far too long for the Government move on saliva testing at the border but National welcomes the announcement nonetheless, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government is hiding vaccination delays
May 26, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Once again the Ministry of Health has quietly updated it’s timeline for vaccinating New Zealanders, this time pushing out the start date for when the majority of Kiwis can begin to be vaccinated, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
OAG issues stark warning on vaccine roll out
May 18, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Auditor-General’s audit of the government’s vaccine roll-out presents a very worrying picture of a lack of progress and significant concerns about whether it will achieve its goals at all, says National’s COVID-19 Response Spokesperson Chris Bishop.
MIQ shouldn’t operate under an honesty system
May 17, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government should be doing more to make sure people who use our MIQ facilities are paying what they owe in a timely manner, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Labour blocks Covid scrutiny
May 12, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government that said it would be the most open and transparent ever has once again done the exact opposite, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
“Front of the queue” to sign contracts for slow vaccines
May 11, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Prime Minister’s comments today in Question Time that Chris Hipkins’ promise that New Zealand would be at the “front of the queue” for Covid-19 vaccines actually meant that we would be at the front of the queue in terms of signing contracts are baffling, says National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop.
Govt hid how long security guard went without a test
May 10, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government knew how long the security guard who tested positive for Covid-19 had been without a Covid test for six days before finally coming clean to New Zealanders, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
SPEECH: Our approach to COVID-19 and the vaccine roll-out
May 09, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Delegates, it is good to be with you today. Hawke’s Bay holds a special place in my heart. It is warmer than Wellington. It’s where Jenna and I got married. And the wine is fantastic.
Just 339 saliva tests in MIQ carried out so far
May 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
A mere 339 saliva tests have been carried out in New Zealand’s MIQ facilities since they began in January, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Govt not interested in full transparency on COVID-19
May 05, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is deeply disappointing that the Government has not agreed to National’s call for a new COVID-19 Select Committee, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
New Zealand 116th the world for vaccinations
May 04, 2021
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Chris Bishop
As we embark on Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan, new data shows New Zealand is ranked as low as 116th in the world in terms of vaccination doses administered, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
What is the point of the Roche COVID-19 group?
May 03, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Reports the Sir Brian Roche group hasn’t provided any formal advice to the Government in relation to the recent positive Covid-19 cases at the Grand Millennium rightly begs the question, what is the point of the group, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
New Zealand slipping due to slow vaccine rollout
April 27, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is worrying that the Government’s slow vaccine rollout has caused New Zealand to slip behind Singapore in Bloomberg’s index of the best places to be during the COVID-19 pandemic, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Another day, another National border suggestion adopted
April 23, 2021
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Chris Bishop
News the Government will move to a risk-based approach for overseas arrivals is welcome but well overdue, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National calls for Epidemic Response Committee to return
April 14, 2021
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Judith Collins
Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee must return to allow proper scrutiny of the Government’s Covid-19 Response, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins and National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop say.
Where is the ‘smart border’ we were promised?
April 08, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National is urging the Government to adopt five simple steps for strengthening the border, in light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases arriving on our shores, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Government needs to move faster on Pacific bubble
April 07, 2021
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David Bennett
National supports the call by Hawke’s Bay orchardists and businesses that are reliant on seasonal work to open a travel bubble with the Pacific Islands, Horticulture spokesperson David Bennett says.
New Zealand second last in OECD for vaccinations
April 07, 2021
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Chris Bishop
Not only is New Zealand second bottom in the OECD for the number of Covid-19 vaccinations but in information leaked to National we are nowhere near where the Government planned for us to be back in January, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Bubble should be first step reconnecting NZ to the world
April 06, 2021
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Judith Collins
The Government should not consider a trans-Tasman bubble ‘job done’ when it comes to reconnecting New Zealand to the world, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.
Govt should set a Covid-19 vaccination target
March 29, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National is calling on the Government to make a statement of intent about protecting New Zealanders from Covid-19 by setting a target of having at least 70 per cent of the adult population vaccinated, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Major IT scandal raises questions about vaccine roll out
March 27, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National’s spokesperson for Covid-19 Response Chris Bishop has this evening released further details of a major IT scandal, raising serious questions about the Government’s Covid-19 vaccine roll out.
Changes needed to Emergency Allocation MIQ process
March 27, 2021
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Chris Bishop
National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop and Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford have written to the Government offering constructive suggestions to improve the MIQ and Emergency Allocation process in order to prevent further tragic outcomes in the future.
What’s the hold-up with the Cook Islands bubble?
March 26, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The time it’s taking the Government to sort out quarantine-free travel between two Pacific nations with no COVID-19 community cases is staggering, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Where is the Govt’s travel bubble back-up plan?
March 23, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government clearly had no back-up plan when engaging in the interminable discussions with Australia over opening a trans-Tasman bubble because if it did we would have a date for travel by now, National’s COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Action needed on bubble, not more announcements
March 22, 2021
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Judith Collins
New Zealanders are being let down by a Government that talks a lot about delivering a trans-Tasman bubble but keeps falling short, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.
The people have spoken, they want a travel bubble
March 22, 2021
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Chris Bishop
More than 42,000 people are backing National’s call for a safe trans-Tasman travel bubble to open, National’s COVID-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
National launches trans-Tasman bubble petition
March 16, 2021
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Judith Collins
The National Party has launched a petition calling on the Government to get a move on with the trans-Tasman travel bubble, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.
Govt’s IT systems aren’t ready for vaccine rollout
March 12, 2021
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Chris Bishop
It is worrying that on the eve of the largest vaccination programme New Zealand has ever seen, three of the four key parts to our vaccine IT system aren’t ready to go, National’s Covid-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Businesses deserve certainty on Australia bubble
March 11, 2021
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Todd McClay
Reports that Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has said a travel bubble with Australia won’t happen until January next year if we’re lucky is creating confusion and will mean many more businesses face closure, National’s Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay says.
NZ Govt must act unilaterally on travel bubble
March 11, 2021
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Chris Bishop
The Government should make a unilateral decision to have quarantine-free travel with Australia now that we know talks between the two countries have collapsed, National’s COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Morrison wants a travel bubble; why doesn’t Ardern?
March 10, 2021
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Judith Collins
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the only thing holding up a two-way travel bubble with New Zealand is our Government’s lack of urgency, Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins says.