Scores of people spotted a series of bright lights followed by a sound akin to a "sonic boom". A space scientist thinks he knows what it was.

A group of former Southland Times staff have found a novel way to give their historic old office building a final send off before it becomes part of a new development.

Rivalry over gang territory ended with a Mongrel Mob member dead on Black Power turf. A court has heard the shot man was brandishing a gun.

Members who aren't vaccinated will be required to work from home while Covid-19 remains in the community.

Changes have been made to the Government’s notification system after the DHB was only alerted to a person with Covid-19 being in the region after a family member told them.

The incident happened south of Wakefield on State Highway 6 shortly before 5pm on Monday.

Alert levels are set for the scrap heap, with each region's starting colour in the new traffic light system to be decided on November 29, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

Fresh from career-best bowling figures, the opening bowler is putting top-order batters on notice again.

REVIEW: Streaming on Māori TV OnDemand, this is a complex, compelling tale which draws the viewer into the emotional maelstrom of a doomed dalliance.

Melanie Lynskey headlines a new time-spanning thriller that's kind of Lost-meets-Mare of Easttown, while a fantasy series might just be the new GoT.

The latest additions take the Ministry of Health list to 163 locations.

Immigration New Zealand misapplied the law and failed to consider a humanitarian exception even when the Afghans had a "compelling" case, judge finds.

A human rights lawyer took the case to the international body as part of a wrongly arrested Wellington woman's long-running battle for justice.

The airline estimates 20,000 customers will be affected as it cancels trans-Tasman flights through to the end of the year due to border uncertainty.

A floating fun park with an ecological twist is to open in Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch.

The MidCentral District Health Board confirmed on Monday a fourth positive case of the virus had been identified in the area, in Palmerston North.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said hairdressers will trial vaccine passes because they "pose the lowest risk by reopening" from restrictions but there will be strict rules.

Coach Leon MacDonald said not even the lockdown has managed to slow down star recruit's transition from league.

Notices at the property demanded no Māori be spoken and New Zealand should not be called Aotearoa - leaving one guest shocked and scared.

A 'much-needed investment' will see 12 marae receive new water tanks and treatment systems.