MetService severe weather warning: October 5th-6th

Lengthy lines at Raglan Covid-19 testing station. Video / Supplied

Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has unveiled plans to tighten political donations rules before the 2023 election and a wider review of election rules - including the length of the Parliamentary term - before the 2026 election.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces phased end to Auckland restrictions; Waikato at level 3; rest of NZ stays at level 2. Video / NZ Herald

National leader Judith Collins says the new plan on lifting restrictions was "nothing more than a vague wishlist".

October 4 2021 PM Jacinda Ardern has promised a phased end to Covid-19 restrictions in Auckland. From midnight Tuesday, bubbles will be able to mix, but only outdoors and with some restrictions still in place.

Emergency services at the scene of a car vs power pole in Raumanga, Whangārei. Video / Supplied

MetService National weather: October 4th-6th

Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton city and Huntly will be under level 3 restrictions for an initial five days after the discovery of two COVID-19 cases in Hamilton and Raglan. Video / NZ Herald

Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield on why he decided to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Video / Mark Mitchell

Director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says it’s a matter of when, not if NZ hits 90% vaccinated and what lies ahead for borders, future lockdowns and Covid treatments. Video / Mark Mitchell

There are 27 new cases of Covid-19 today with another possible exposure event at Middlemore Hospital's ED and anti-lockdown protests happening across NZ. Video / NZ Herald

A small pod of orca whales brought joy to onlookers on the Waitematā Harbour on Saturday. Video / Supplied

Motorbikes and dirt bikes were filmed taking over Central Auckland streets and riding up onto footpaths on Saturday morning. Video / Supplied

Brian Tamaki addresses as many as 2000 anti-lockdown protesters in the Auckland Domain. Video / NZ Herald

Parents Moe and Michelle have lost both sons Jake and Kalvin Hamilton when they died in car accidents one year apart. Video / Dean Purcell

NZME stars are supporting #rollupyoursleevesnz, let's get vaccinated! Let's get at least 90% of kiwis fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by Christmas. Video / NZME

Rozzi Pethybridge, sister of Thomas Phillips who went missing with his three children for 17 days: 'You feel like your heart's whole again.' Video / NZ Herald

MetService National weather: October 1st - 3rd.

MetService Christchurch weather: October 2nd.

MetService Auckland weather: October 2nd.

Wine writer and judge Yvonne Lorkin fears what Covid symptoms like loss of smell could do to her million-dollar nose. Video / Warren Buckland

Orcas were spotted at Kennedy park beach. Video / Chantelle Hutter / Raffy Laguda

Emergency services responded to the scene of a fatal crash in Mt. Wellington on Thursday night. Video / Supplied

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Anybody else feel like this when listening to the 1pm briefing? Video / Newstalk ZB

Leopard seal spotted making the most of Auckland's lockdown. Video / Supplied

There were 19 Covid cases in the community today. Video / NZ Herald

PM Jacinda Ardern explains why the boundary will remain even if the region does move to level 2 next week. Video / Pool

A father and his three children who were reported missing three weeks ago have been living in a tent in the bush. Police confirmed Tom Phillips and his three children had all been located in the South Waikato settlement of Marokopa since being reported missing.

An armed person has been shot by police after a vehicle pursuit spanning several suburbs in Auckland this morning.