West Coast mayor relieved they aren't being "punished" in lead-up to Christmas.

Joe Pryor left a note saying he would be back by 10.30am, but never returned.

The news was revealed hours before the government's traffic light announcement.

The children from the centre with the virus range between eight months to four years old.

Gambian butcher Sainey Marong launches legal action from behind bars.

Ground and air operations ceased just before 6pm on Sunday.

South African scientists first raised alarm about the new variant this week.

Most new cases are still in Auckland, where another person has succumbed to the virus.

Some rain was expected for Buller and Westland in the coming days but not as severe.

Twenty-five Catholic churches also came together for a big pop-up event in Māngere.

The case was one of four announced in the Bay of Plenty today.

Detectives are working through new leads following news of killer's DNA discovery.

"The best-laid plans can get upset by what the virus does. I hope it won't be the case."

There were 173 new community cases yesterday, less than the seven-day average of 187.

Pool of money for directors almost $1m a year at the retailer.

Handguns and machetes were used in a fight between the Comancheros and Head Hunters gangs.

"It is the only way to prevent this happening again."

Cordons are in place as officers attend the incident on Dominion Rd.

Research shows the likelihood of a stroke increases if you are infected with Covid.

Armed person on the loose in Canterbury town, residents told to secure homes

The student was infectious while at Farm Cove Intermediate School in Pakuranga on Monday.

Wiki Mulholland's cancer diagnosis inspired a movement. She has died today.

Waka Kotahi moves to make the road safer ahead of the summer holidays.

So far this year 289 people have been killed on New Zealand's roads.

Providing surgical masks to every visitors ensures consistency of protection.