Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by more than 1000 people at a community vigil on Thursday night at Coronation Park in Tauranga.

Carpets of caulerpa, described as the world's worst marine pest, have mysteriously disappeared on a massive scale in Northland and the Hauraki Gulf.

Pencils, pens, textbooks and a full uniform might seem like the basics for any school student, but many families are struggling.

Swedish Måns Loke Bernhardsson was travelling around New Zealand with friends.

The Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa has been without a full-time dentist for the last five years.

A putrid stench lingering in Christchurch's eastern suburbs from the city's wastewater treatment plant is expected to persist for at least another week.

On average each year, the clean up usually collects around 1500 litres of rubbish

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence said it was working alongside Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou and the defence force to deliver emergency supplies to isolated communities.

He was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship.

A burst water pipe has sent silt and discoloured water into Wellington's Oriental Bay on Thursday afternoon.

The case is likely linked to overseas travel.

A single vehicle was involved.

The pilot and passenger, whose bodies have been recovered, were working on Transmission Gully.

The bus driver was taken to hospital in a moderate condition.

The mayor says flood-affected residents will be supported with small grants of $1000 or $2000.

Efforts to stamp the pests out, including using AI cameras and detection dog Scout, have been going for years.

Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended just after 10.30am.