People shouldn't read too much into today's decline in Covid-19 case numbers, epidemiologist Professor Rod Jackson says.

National MP Maureen Pugh has claimed members of the party were talking with protesters on an almost daily basis.

Workers at Covid-19 testing sites are copping abuse as frustrations boil over at the limited access to rapid antigen tests amid the growing Omicron outbreak.

Residents who live near the occupied Cranmer Square anti-mandate protest in Christchurch say the ongoing disruption and noise is callous and selfish.

There was a true kiwi welcome at Auckland Airport this afternoon for the first group of New Zealanders returning home under the easing of Covid isolation rules.

Protest activity around the country is being monitored by police, who are calling for evidence of criminal acts following Wednesday's violent clash at Parliament.

The number of new community cases of Covid-19 has dropped below the 20,000 mark for the first time in several days, but the Health Ministry is still urging caution as it expects numbers to "jump around".

A person has died following a crash between a truck and a cyclist in Auckland today.

Homes on Auckland's North Shore are no longer under threat from a large bush fire burning in the suburb of Okura.

Financial mentors are urging people to seek advice as many households remain under pressure due to the impacts of Covid-19.

Waka Kotahi's move to speed up the opening of Transmission Gully is good news - as long as it does not compromise the quality of the new highway, the mayor of Porirua says.

Police are appealing for information about missing man Wayne Taylor after air and land searches failed to find him.

Three people were taken to hospital early this morning after a shooting in central Auckland.

There have been 22,527 new community cases of Covid-19 reported today, slightly down on yesterday's numbers, the Ministry of Health says.

After 23 days, the occupation at Parliament was finally brought to a chaotic and violent end. The Detail talks to reporters who were there as it all unfolded.

Opinion - As the MIQ system winds down the outcome of the court battle over border restrictions is now moot - but the principles are still important, two lawyers say.

The north and east of New Zealand is expected to become drier, and the west and south wetter, with considerable seasonal variation.

When a firefighter abused his young son, many in their small town refused to believe it. Fire and Emergency kept him on, and locals turned on the boy's mum, saying she'd made up the allegations.