Covid-19 case numbers continued to drop, while new modelling showed that a 90 percent vaccination rate is needed to avoid future lockdowns.

Two days into Auckland's new-found alert level "three-doms," it hasn't been smooth sailing for the re-opened hospitality businesses.

The 27-year-old woman with Down Syndrome who was found dead in Mt Albert yesterday was the victim of foul play, and police are seeking a man seen on CCTV footage at the scene.

The union for nurses says Hawke's Bay Hospital is failing in its duty of care and is demanding change.

The principal of an Auckland primary school says not all families have been able to afford keeping data on their phones for students to engage with learning this lockdown.

An overnight and morning downpour today lifted the city's dams to 82 percent of capacity, after consistent rain through winter and spring.

An Auckland bus driver who was left with serious injuries after being attacked last night had also been the victim of another assault last month, with 35 reported incidents of abuse or aggression towards bus drivers in six weeks.

Tools used in the future to fight Covid-19 don't need to be as disruptive as the ones used now, as long as the country achieves a high vaccination rate, says the prime minister. Watch the latest government briefing live here.

The cruise ship industry says New Zealand is at risk of losing trips and companies if uncertainty around the border continues.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says people in the area are being urged to get tested, whether they have symptoms or not.

There are 15 new community cases of Covid-19, all located in Auckland, the Health Ministry says.

Horowhenua locals are counting an environmental win over the temporary end to dumping at a controversial landfill.

Police have arrested eight people after a six-week operation targeting the supply of methamphetamine in Wairoa.

New Covid-19 modelling shows that New Zealand will still need lockdowns to control the virus even if 80 percent of those over the age of five were vaccinated.

The fishing company Sanford has been ordered to pay $500,000 after one of its employees was killed while working on one of its vessels in 2018.

Holidaymakers are warning bookers beware as they're stung by cancellation fees from rentals booked during lockdown.

The head of a large construction firm says he's confident his workers will be adhering to Covid-19 rules and anyone seen not complying should be dobbed in.

The drive to boost the country's Covid-19 vaccination rate is gaining more corporate buy-in, with incentives offered to employees to get protected.