New community Covid-19 cases drop to single digits, rules governing those allowed to leave Auckland from midnight are announced, and a self-isolation pilot scheme gets the thumbs up.

At least 18,000 people jammed into the online lobby for the 3800 MIQ room vouchers that were released this evening.

The police commissioner has warned the leader of Destiny Church about a planned protest in Auckland this weekend.

Using a location checking app and doing a facial recognition scan were part of a South Australian's daily duties during a home isolation trial.

The 35-seater electric bus is ultimately destined for Christchurch, but for the next month, it will be running up and down the hills of Dunedin.

The South Waikato deputy mayor admits he spoke in anger after accusing his fellow councillor of "following in the footsteps" of their German forebears.

Jacinda Ardern says the people eligible to leave Auckland will need to have a negative Covid-19 test in the 72 hours before their departure.

About now thousands of Kiwis are jamming into the virtual MIQ lobby for the next lottery of vouchers.

New houses will be exempt for 20 years from changed tax rules aimed at cooling the housing market, but developers of long-term rental developments may be given an incentive.

The arrival of seasonal workers from next week gives growers some certainty, but they fear the upcoming season will still be a big challenge.

A person has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after they were hit by a truck on State Highway 10 near Awanui in Northland.

One of today's new cases was confirmed after a person presented at Waitākere Hospital.

People using the Rotorua lakes are being asked to check their boats and gear are clean with trout fishing season getting underway.

Another 3800 managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) bookings will be up for grabs this evening in the second release using the online virtual lobby system.

A man was found seriously injured in a car at Ōkaihau north of Kaikohe last night and died at the scene.

An officer who struck a man four times while trying to remove him from a patrol car used excessive force, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.

Sixteen gang members and associates have been charged in relation to a large funeral procession for a gang member in Auckland in June.

Midwives are welcoming more ACC cover for maternal birth injuries but the sector says it's puzzled by news the government's Maternity Action Plan has also been updated, saying it's been kept secret for two years.