The talent pool for Cabinet should be expanded to outsiders say professors Sonia Mazey and Jeremy Richardson of Canterbury University.

November 28 2021 There were 144 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today and another person has died of the virus.

November 27 2021 There were 145 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today - 127 were in Auckland, 13 in the Waikato, four in the Bay of Plenty and one in Canterbury. A person has also died of the virus.

November 27 2021 A rather pitiful group of about 100 to 200 people have drifted in for today's anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination mandate protest at Auckland Domain.

Max Carter (Scots College, Wellington) wins the 2021 Aotearoa New Zealand Spelling Bee.

Covid 19 Delta outbreak: There were 173 new cases in the community today. Video NZ Herald

Act Party leader David Seymour and business leaders say crime is on the rise in Auckland as hundreds of police are assigned to border duties in the region. Video / NZ Herald

MetService Wellington weather: November 27th.

MetService National weather: November 27th-28th.

November 26 2021. There are 173 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today. Of those cases, 154 are in Auckland, 15 are in the Waikato, one is in Northland, two are in the Bay of Plenty and one is in Lakes DHB. There is also a case in Canterbury, who was already in isolation.

In the first visit by a US warship in five years, the USS Howard, with crew members lining the deck, arrived in Wellington Harbour. Video / Mark Mitchell

Members of the Extinction Rebellion climate protesters support three of their members who have been charged with willful damage outside the ANZ on Queen Street. Video / Dean Purcell

Judith Collins spoke to Mike Hosking the morning after losing leadership of the National party. Video / Newstalk ZB

There were 178 new cases of Covid-19 across New Zealand today and another virus-related death. Video / NZ Herald

Dean Jamieson, The Madd Fun Company, Hastings has a bouncy castle that turns heads. Bouncy Boners is often hired out for adult entertainment. Video Warren Buckland.

Former leader Simon Bridges has revealed he is considering seeking a return to the role - saying National under Collins "haven't done a good enough job".

Deaf man Amir Jafary is assaulted outside the Countdown Metro Supermarket in Auckland's CBD. Video / Supplied

Erebus protesters have blocked the entrance of the Parnell Rose Garden after Council moved in to remove their camp. Video / Dean Purcell

MetService Wellington weather: November 26th.

MetService Christchurch weather: November 26th.

National MPs will elect a new leader on Tuesday after a bruising caucus session dumped Judith Collins on what has been described as "not our best day" for the party.

Health Minister Andrew Little laid out plans for New Zealand's ongoing COVID-19 response. Video / @AndrewLittleLabour

November 25 2021 PM Jacinda Ardern said Auckland will start at the red traffic light setting next week to make sure restrictions were eased in a careful way so case numbers don't balloon.

Police staff from Eastern District share their experiences of violence on White Ribbon Day. Video / NZ Police

Hairdressers opened in Auckland for the first time since the Delta outbreak began. Video / Jed Bradley

National MP Simon Bridges hit back at his demotion by leader Judith Collins last night, calling it 'truly desperate'. Video / Mark Mitchell

215 cases, fully vaxed Kiwis won't need to stay in MIQ next year. Video / NZ Herald

November 24 2021 The Reserve Bank has today hiked the official cash rate by 0.25 per cent to 0.75 per cent. That 25-basis-point hike was the first for the RBNZ in seven years.

Matching genetic material at crime scenes can help investigators identify suspects. Video / NZ Herald

Judith Collins on her leadership of the National Party. Video / Mark Mitchell