Cases from the Delta outbreak rose to 277 total, but vaccination doses also hit 3 million. Here's the big developments from day 9 of Level 4.

Essential workers and a top Covid-19 expert are among a growing group calling for rapid tests to help New Zealand get ahead of the Delta variant spread.

One of the first stars of New Zealand television, Max Cryer spoke the first words on nationwide TV in 1969.

The Novotel Hotel in Auckland will become city's newest covid quarantine facility from midday tomorrow.

From Covid-19 remixes of kiwi classics, celebrating international dog day and some helpful wellbeing tips, here's some of the best uplifting and fun social media content from day 9 of lockdown.

A dedicated Covid-19 testing station for the largest sub-cluster of this outbreak opened today in Auckland.

A medical union says Canterbury DHB staff aren't the only ones being told that they can't work from home.

John Edwards - New Zealand's Privacy Commissioner - has been announced as the preferred candidate for the role of the UK's Information Commissioner.

Aucklanders are supportive of the prospect of a longer lockdown as new cases continue to erupt.

The prime minister says while Covid-19 case numbers are still rising, the lockdown is having a big impact in the fight against the Delta variant outbreak. Watch the latest government briefing here.

Some teenagers and principals are relieved the government has agreed to delay the start of NCEA and scholarship exams by two weeks.

A telecommunications commentator says people should switch on their backgrounds during Zoom, Teams or Google work meetings, but only when comfortable.

People trying to get out of Afghanistan to New Zealand are not being held back because of visa processing, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

A birthing centre run by a charitable trust in Lower Hutt will be mothballed next month due to a lack of funding.

Guardians of the Bays, which has previously won a legal battle against the airport over its plans to extend the runway, is considering options after a panel recommended the expansion go ahead.

There are 68 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, the Ministry of Health reports.

More than three million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been given in New Zealand, according to the Ministry of Health. See how the rest of day 9 of lockdown unfolded with RNZ's live blog.

The case is due back in court next month, but Judge Evangelos Thomas has previously said a substantive trial is still some way off.