Two people have died in water-related incidents this afternoon - one in the Bay of Plenty and one in southern Otago.

One retailer says the humble brown onion has gone up 200 percent as difficult conditions and the increased prices of fertiliser and diesel impact growers.

Police have named the cyclist who died following a crash in the city on Thursday.

The owner of a horse that had to be euthanised after suffering serious injuries while trying to escape backyard fireworks is angry there is nowhere to report the death.

There has been another spate of ram-raids and burglaries in Auckland overnight.

Police said they would be unable to confirm the identity until a formal identification took place.

Tāmaki Makaurau is buzzing with Rugby World Cup fever as the Black Ferns prepare to take on England in tonight's final at Eden Park.

Detours are in place around part of State Highway 29 in Waikato following a serious crash.

Some newly-graduated doctors warn the lack of hands-on learning during their training has left them feeling ill-prepared for the reality of dealing with emergencies.

The search has resumed for a boy missing after a boat capsized in the Manukau Harbour nearly a week ago.

Many residents along the East Coast voluntarily evacuated after more than 185 millimetres of rain fell north of Tolaga Bay.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating after a person died in a one-car crash in Tokoroa early this morning.

The South Korean woman wanted for the deaths of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases will be extradited to New Zealand for trial.

This week Sam is breaking down another comic book film, Marvel Studios Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, directed by Ryan Coogler.

The government has signed a $55 million partnership with Ngāti Whakaue Lands Trust to build up to 1100 homes in Rotorua.

Rain and flooding is easing sooner than expected in Tairāwhiti, but some communities are cut off.

More than 2000 jobs were up for grabs at the Ministry of Social Development's Auckland job fair today.

Police Minister Chris Hipkins says he will consider cracking down on starter pistols as "a very large number" of the blank-firing handguns enter the country.