TVNZ is refusing to comment about claims that Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria resigned only one month into the job after a complaint about his behaviour.

The family of Tom Coombes say he was walking home from university where he was pursuing his dream to be a photographer when he was fatally attacked earlier this week.

Motorists are being warned to prepare for hazardous driving conditions in Auckland tonight, with strong winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for the city.

Auckland Council is asking for public help after a spate of thefts, and vandalism to public art pieces across the region.

Police are asking for help in locating a 15-year-old girl missing since last week.

Christchurch City Council is to restart security patrols of part of the earthquake-damaged redzone due to increasing vandalism.

An international study co-authored by the University of Auckland suggests some animals may evolve faster than we previously thought, but some species aren't so lucky.

There have been nine more deaths of people with Covid-19, and 4841 more community cases of the virus detected, the Ministry of Health says.

MetService is warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms for the top of the North Island from this afternoon, which could cause some flooding.

The woman who died in a fatal crash in Gordonton, Waikato on Friday was 21-year-old Coral-Lee Thompson of Ngatea.

California's Governor, who met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in San Francisco yesterday, has tested positive for Covid-19.

One person has been killed in a car crash in Riverhead, north of Auckland.

Almost 200,000 people have now applied to become residents under the fast-track visa, and one in four has been approved.

The 22-year-old man being sought over a fatal knife attack in Mount Albert this week has been arrested by police this afternoon, while the 25-year-old victim has also been named.

A makeover for Wellington's outdated Johnsonville Mall is back on the cards after decades of stops and starts.

The Defence Force has helped police dispose of a suspicious package found in Hamilton.

The board of the Arise Church is promising changes as its founding members resign amid abuse allegations.

A Nelson based climate change group has launched a campaign to bombard politicians with postcards that show support for the emissions reduction plan.