Thirty-three new community cases, seven suburbs examined for mystery Covid-19 cases, and alert level 4 extended for another week in Auckland - read RNZ's wrap of the main events of the day.

People in seven key Auckland suburbs are being encouraged to get a Covid-19 test even if they have no symptoms.

While some regions have struggled with Covid-19 lockdowns, Palmerston North has thrived, in part due to the many essential workers who live there, the city's mayor says.

Police were alerted to a couple who flouted lockdown rules by travelling to Wānaka from Auckland by people dobbing them in online.

Watch: Auckland will stay in alert level 4 until 11.59pm next Tuesday, while the rest of NZ will stay in level 2 until at least next Tuesday.

Building and construction teams across the country have just a few days' worth of some Auckland-based products left, according to suppliers, and some key materials are already unavailable.

As Auckland faces another week in alert level 4, Auckland DHB will only allow patient visits on compassionate grounds, after legal action challenging its policy around visitors.

The Ministry of Health says 32 of today's cases have been epidemiologically linked.

The road to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi remains closed due to high avalanche risk, which has been further triggered by heavy rain.

A homicide investigation has been launched by the police after a woman's body was discovered in the south Auckland suburb of Manurewa over the weekend.

An experienced tramper is stuck along the Tararua Forest Park, north of Wellington, with severe weather hampering rescue efforts.

Today's Covid-19 numbers support the argument for Auckland staying at alert level 4 for at least another week, Otago University epidemiologist professor Michael Baker says.

A leading immunologist says although widespread vaccination is the only long-term way to curb Covid-19, the immunisation rate should not be the only factor in ending the elimination strategy.

Auckland District Health Board will only be allowing patient visits on compassionate grounds, after a nurses union launched legal action challenging it's policy around visitors.

Heavy rain and severe gales are headed north to central New Zealand, reaching Auckland tomorrow afternoon, before a second hit in the North Island later this week.

Jim Boult wants to know what police will be doing to avoid another breach of lockdown rules and potential spread of Covid-19 in the local community.

New Zealand schools will need better ventilation to prevent Covid-19 Delta than the poor standard they have put up with for years, public health experts say.

Neighbours of a controversial composting and worm farming business in North Taranaki have had their noses put out of joint by a regional councillor questioning whether their olfactory organs are "calibrated correctly".