Extensive flooding across the Waitaki and Otago districts has closed multiple roads and a bridge and forced the evacuation of campers.

The National Party is calling on Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis to front up at Waikeria Prison, where a rooftop protest by 16 prisoners is into its fifth day.

A toxic algae watch is being carried out through the summer in rivers and lakes.

Boaties are encouraged to keep a lookout for rare dolphins this summer.

Families spending Christmas apart because of closed borders say they need hope of being reunited in the New Year.

Routine checks of Gisborne's inner harbour have revealed the return of the marine pest, the Mediterranean fanworm.

Locations which rely on international visitors like Te Anau and Milford Sound might struggle this summer, Tourism NZ says.

Police are defending an officer's use of force during riots in Whangamatā, in which a youth was kicked in the back.

Maritime police are patrolling some popular North Island beaches following reports of jetskiers travelling too fast and too close to swimmers.

People heading to a popular beach north of Auckland over summer are being told to keep out of a predator-proof bird sanctuary, to protect the endangered species that call it home.

Two people charged with murder in relation to the death of a man have appeared in the Christchurch District Court.

Wellingtonians were shaken by a 4.2 magnitude earthquake just before 5am today.

Visitors to the Waitaki district are being told they risk losing access to the local lakes if they continue polluting the water.

The Pope has appointed Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin to a new role in Wellington.

The 16 men on top of Waikeria Prison say Corrections need to start telling the truth about what is really happening, but authorities say the prisoners' actions are "clearly violent".

The mayor of Thames Coromandel says the parents of under-age drinkers should help to pay for the damage caused by last night's riot in Whangamatā.

Air New Zealand is set to haul 2,500,000 kilograms of Kiwi cherries to markets in Asia this month - the equivalent of around 21 Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Members of a Tauranga hapū will be taking time off the marae this summer to keep an eye on visitors to a dangerous waterfall that has proved irresistible to snap-happy tourists.