Days after New Zealand joined its Western allies in firing a warning shot across China's bows, the trade minister says security and trade are separate issues.

Cabinet ministers have convened a special virtual meeting this afternoon to discuss the trans-Tasman bubble, including a potential pause of the entire arrangement.

District Health Boards could owe as much as $1.1 billion to current and former staff in incorrect annual leave payments, and that amount continues to grow.

The stranded orca calf being cared for in Porirua is being moved out of a temporary pool and into the sea pen for health reasons.

Heart inflammation may be a rare side effect of the Pfizer vaccine, particularly for young men, Medsafe says, but the Covid-19 vaccine is safer than the alternative.

Auckland's downtown waterfront has been gifted a new installment woven in to the landscape of the popular seaside walkway - carrying an important message about the health of the city's surrounding waters.

A kiwi bird has been killed by a dog on conservation land in Taranaki.

The Conversation: Something strange has happened to the perception of cyclists and cycling - one of the cheapest and most eco-friendly ways to get around has been labelled 'elitist'.

The crown in the trial of Eli Epiha claims he was intent on killing police officers last June - choosing the most efficient of two weapons and sauntering away when an officer was wounded.

The sinking of a yacht which left the skipper - an ACT Party candidate - dead could have been avoided if storm covers were fitted to the cabin windows, a Maritime NZ report has found.

The Defence Force is helping to remove flood-ruined furniture and belongings from Westport streets and homes today.

There have been more new positive cases of Covid-19 aboard the Mattina container ship reported, with three new cases also reported in New Zealand's managed isolation facilities, the Ministry of Health says.

The man who shot and killed police officer Matthew Hunt has told the High Court it was a "coincidence" he hit a second officer David Goldfinch four times.

Christchurch city councillors have voted to reduce the capacity of its new stadium, in a bid to stop ballooning costs.

Police are investigating reports the shots were fired at a Clendon Park house in the early hours of the morning.

The government is pressing ahead with plans to vaccinate the general population against Covid-19 even though only 20 percent of those in the vulnerable group 3 have had their first dose.

The umbrella term Pacific Islander or Polynesian has been criticised as degrading and insensitive at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care's Pacific inquiry.

The navy says it is safe to allow shore leave for more than 250 sailors from a visiting Canadian navy frigate without having to go through managed isolation.