Thousands of women who had benefits docked because they did not name their child's father could be entitled to significant lump sum refunds, advocates say.

Port Taranaki will not allow the vessel with two Covid-19-positive mariners on board to dock.

A pause on quarantine-free travel with the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland has been extended.

A 100-year vision for the Mackenzie Basin is being created to help guide investment, future infrastructure and sustainable tourism.

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce chairman Daniel Fleming says the latest Covid-19 scare shows border controls will never be foolproof and that getting the population vaccinated should be the priority.

Oranga Tamariki is failing to tell most children about the outcome of any investigations into allegations of abuse or neglect.

Covid-19 Response minister Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health of Ashley Bloomfield speak to media on the vaccine rollout and cases. Watch live.

New Zealand doctors, nurses and medical staff are being canvassed about a possible deployment to Fiji.

Correct protocols were followed when two sailors who tested positive to Covid-19 were transferred from Auckland to Taranaki, their ship's agent says.

The shoe brand Converse is being accused of misleading people with its global public art campaign, Converse City Forests, in which it claims the murals it's painted are the equivalent of planting more than 9000 trees.

A concerning substance which led to the closure of Waikawa Museum in the Catlins has been disposed of.

A woman has been arrested after a member of the public was almost run over and a police car was rammed.

The Minister of Health, district health boards, and the Nurses Organisation all agree that if pay equity is settled then strike action could be avoided.

Parents want more health advice over skyrocketing cases of a virus that is potentially deadly to young babies.

A large scrub fire in North Canterbury is now under control, with helicopters and firefighters close to extinguishing any remaining flames.

The first translocation of kōkako has taken place to predator-free Kāpiti Island for more than a quarter century.

There have been 40 instances where Oranga Tamariki staff have physically harmed children in their care in the last two-and-a-half years.

Two mariners who were in Auckland yesterday have tested positive for Covid-19 and are isolating on a boat off the coast of Taranaki.