Five people are dead after a boat with a group of bird enthusiasts on board capsized off Goose Bay in Kaikōura, police have confirmed.

Many people are sharing their memories of interactions with Queen Elizabeth a day on from her death, and say the wise and warm monarch will be dearly missed.

Police responding to reports of a racist flag being flown from a Wānaka property found the home was instead flying the colours of the Klingon Empire from Star Trek.

Gloriavale leaders claimed God must have blessed the food that killed one of the members at the Christian commune and lied about the circumstances surrounding her choking death, a former member says.

Police have recovered a body of a person who went missing in the Mangahauini River earlier today.

A major alternative route between Nelson and Blenheim reopened at midday today, after flooding three weeks ago caused extensive damage.

For 16 years from 1992 Feilding man Patrick Nolan was one of the Queen's bodyguards - the traditional kind, living in the Tower of London.

Condolence books are available around the country for people who want to pay tribute following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

"Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived," King Charles III said, before shaking hands with well-wishers and looking at floral tributes with his wife Queen Consort Camilla.

Former New Zealand journalist Simon Walker was the Queen's communications secretary for the Golden Jubilee and says she was a remarkable person to work for.

Life-long royalist Dorothy Galloway, 83, was one of the first in line at Napier's Waiapu Cathedral yesterday morning to sign the official condolence book for the Queen.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was Queen for 70 years - she was the second longest-reigning monarch in history, and the longest-reigning queen.

The Plain Language Bill now before Parliament aims to make clear communication more than just an ideal, write Andreea S Calude and Sam Campbell.

Lotto is being urged to drop plans to launch online Bingo, with an expert saying it could increase gambling harm in Māori and Pasifika communities

Whānau were left upset after two Māori students from Epsom Girls Grammar were asked to perform a karakia on human kōiwi (bones) found at the prestigious school.

An expert warns Lotto is impacting poor communities "by stealth" and says it has hidden in the shadows as the spotlight shone on pokies.

Sam Uffindell denies terrifying a flatmate but admits beating a younger student during his school days. He says boarding schools were full of 'rough and tumble'. Was violence and bullying really par for the course?

Kiwis can rest assured, their annual royal public holiday will still be observed - at the same time each year - even though Queen Elizabeth has died.