Auckland Region

An imprisoned gang member organised a bar tab for Corrections guards drinking at a pub after hours, in an attempt to corrupt them.

An IPCA report has identifed multiple failures by police officers who restrained Alo Ngata, who was on meth when arrested for assaulting an elderly man. He later died in hospital.

Auckland's mayor says the completed infrastructure work on the waterfront to host America's Cup was under budget.

A new 'mini cluster' of Covid-19 cases in Auckland identified yesterday is concerning to see on the cusp of the city lowering alert levels, microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles says. Audio

Public submissions on three massive private plan changes which are expected to transform Drury over the next 30 years are now being accepted and will close on 22 October.

On day one of a week-long Covid-19 testing blitz, one woman says people should get swabbed: "It's costing them nothing just to make sure the country's going to be free of it".

More than 600 Pacific families were served with food parcels, masks and advice on home ownership and budgeting in Auckland during the resurgence of Covid-19.

A former golf course owner in Auckland has been slapped with a $86,000 fine for discharging wastewater into a creek.

Auckland healthcare providers say the 70,000 testing target set out over the next seven days is achievable, despite the number of swabs taken in the community starting wane. Audio

A number of kaumātua living alone in South Auckland who have no phone or internet access are reliant on a network of community groups and volunteers for support during the lockdown.

More creativity and consistency from the government could create a less rocky ride through the lockdown rollercoaster for hospitality and entertainment businesses, operators say. Audio

Jacinda Ardern says it's possible that the country and Auckland will drop alert levels with cases linked to the Auckland cluster still being reported. Audio

Auckland will move down to Covid-19 alert level 2 from Monday if there's no significant change in the cluster's growth and trajectory.

There has been a 52 percent drop in reports of concern being made to Oranga Tamariki in the Auckland area, under the alert level 3 restrictions.

While the end to alert level 3 is in sight, Employers Manufacturers Association chief executive Brett O'Riley says Auckland's domestic border exemptions need sorting. Audio

An organisation which supports Māori living in urban environments says it has been flat out trying to keep up with demand for food parcels during the latest lockdown.

A bus trip covering a distance of 750 metres, made by three people who have since been confirmed to have Covid-19, is believed to have taken two and a half hours. Audio

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is disappointed that restrictions have been extended, but has urged the city to comply with government guidelines. Video

Researchers are urging the government to stop funding low-level tertiary courses that put young Māori into debt with no benefit to their future earnings.