A group of public health experts are calling on the government to pump the brakes on loosening Covid-19 restrictions.

Officials trying to revamp the country's mental health services are accused of being a "sloth at the helm of the Titanic" - but they argue it is a long-term project.

"A true legend" is how Waikato man Mark Sanders is being described by his family, after he died in the Enchanter tragedy off North Cape.

A group who helped to run a Waikato car meet, in which some of the attendees attacked a milk tanker, say they do not condone that behaviour.

The Russian Embassy in New Zealand has published a video appearing to show an alleged arson attempt on its Karori building in Wellington.

Locals living near Mt Ruapehu appear unfazed by the signs of elevated volcanic unrest, despite the strong tremors and the lake heating up.

MetService says the rain has the potential to be an "extreme event" and people are urged to keep up to date with advice in case the warnings are escalated.

Doctors flagrantly broke rules for prescribing a safe-sex drug during 2021 Covid-19 lockdowns and say the requirements are "out of date" and require patients to detail their sexual history.

A fifth body has been found during the search and rescue operation off North Cape.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says there are also 25 people in ICU or HDU.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says analysis also shows case numbers nationally - not including Auckland - are also slowing.

A man remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries from the serious assault last Saturday.

A man who was shot by police in Invercargill is facing a number of charges including assault with intent to rob.

Opinion - Policing operations must be planned with a focus on ensuring life is preserved rather than taken, including from accidents, AUT law professor Kris Gledhill writes.

Auckland University says it made mistakes in responding to a student's allegations of sexual assault.

One of the men killed in the Far North fishing boat tragedy was worried about the weather forecast before he went on the trip, his devastated father says.

An Auckland man waded through flood waters with a live electric current to rescue a woman who had suffered an electric shock.

Police have been cleared of using excessive force during a 2019 arrest in Masterton.