A public health expert says the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19 could prompt a local lockdown with even one community case in New Zealand.

One of five teenagers killed in a horrific crash outside Timaru last night was riding in the boot of the car when it smashed into a power pole with such force the car broke in half.

Former Speaker and Cabinet minister David Carter says he has "zero confidence" in re-elected National Party President, Peter Goodfellow, after abruptly resigning from the board.

Six leg-hold traps have been found within a popular Christchurch recreation and dog walking area.

Heavy snow has blanketed parts of the South Island today, affecting many major roads.

The widow of a firefighter has been stymied in her efforts to get easier ACC cover for fire crew, with the government saying this would be unfair to others.

Youth care residences including one in Dunedin and another in Christchurch have been found to have kept residents for too long, which is having a significant impact on the safety and wellbeing on them.

A 43-year-old man who has been in Australia since before his first birthday has lost an appeal against being deported to New Zealand.

There have been five new cases of Covid-19 and one historical case reported in New Zealand's managed isolation facilities since Friday.

The Salvation Army says it fully supports a Tairāwhiti meth rehab programme based on one designed by the Mongrel Mob.

Health board investigators have yet to release their findings months after undertaking an inquiry into allegations of abuse and neglect at a Lower Hutt resthome.

A number of people have died after a single vehicle crash north of Timaru, police say.

It is secretive, often unseen, often unreported but, as Rosemary and Mike Riddell discovered, the impact of child sexual abuse is long-lasting and corrosive, Frank Film tells their story.

Wellingtonians are being asked to clear any blocked drains, ahead of forecast heavy rain and winds.

Sam's Take - The Suicide Squad is the latest film in the DC universe, Sam Rillstone looks at the reboot of the 2016 version.

Immigration officials have confirmed Google co-founder Larry Page applied for residency under a category for wealthy investors.

Two people are critically injured after a crash in Southland.

An inmate tampering with an electrical socket in his cell caused a fire at Mount Eden prison in Auckland last night.