Auckland

More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand's largest city

At least four people have died and a state of emergency order continues in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.

BBC reports about 350 people needed emergency accommodation, New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.

He added there had been significant damage across Auckland and the North Island.

The newly-appointed PM also highlighted climate change's role in the extreme weather event.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins: 'Still a very challenging time' for Auckland

Further downpours overnight led to five more rescues of people trapped by floodwaters and landslips, and a significant landslip in Titirangi.

Chris Hipkins said Auckland has a big clean-up ahead from the torrential rain that began on Friday causing unprecedented flooding around the city.

"And then of course we've got the uncertainty of what the weather's going to do over the next few days still ahead of us ... so it's still a very challenging time for Auckland."

Police seize $2.4m in cash, drugs and firearm in Auckland raids

The National Organised Crime Group Investigation named Operation Samson investigated a number of residential and commercial properties across Auckland linked to the New Zealand chapter of the Hells Angels.

A 30-year-old Hells Angel member was charged with money laundering and has appeared in the Auckland District Court.

Detective inspector Albie Alexander said this type of offending undermines the well-being of communities.

He said the investigation would continue to target those who accumulated assets and wealth through illegal means.

Homicide investigation launched after grandmother’s death in Auckland

Maria Brown was found dead at her home in Onehunga on Sunday morning after phone calls from a family member went unanswered.

There has been limited word from police on the circumstances of her death and no news of any arrests, but police say there is no threat to public safety.

"After the post-mortem examination, police can now confirm the death is being treated as a homicide investigation," Detective Inspector Scott Beard said.

Arrests made after gang-related shootings in Auckland

They face a variety of charges relating to firearms, drugs and bail offences.

Police said 10 warrants had also been executed and four firearms and 250 rounds of ammunition had been recovered.

Counties Manukau district commander superintendent Jill Rogers said Operation Dairylands led to police disruption and enforcement activities across the city.

"The gang members involved in this violence continue to show a blatant disregard for the safety of people going about their lawful business.

Police scramble to calm tensions after Auckland gang shootings

There have been 12 reported drive-by shootings in Auckland since Sunday.

This afternoon, police revealed there have likely been more.

But so far zero arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, innocent neighbours say they are terrified of being shot as they sleep, with bullets flying far from their intended targets.

Manakau Ward councilor Alf Filipaina, who was in the police force for 38 years, admitted: "Never ever have I seen the prevalence of the firearm incidents that we had last night. Never."

Covid restrictions mean a different look for Polyfest celebration

However, Covid-19 restrictions have meant that the event has taken on a different look from its usual cheering crowds. While the performers are live on stage, their audience is largely viewing online.

Crowd capacity limits and outdoor mask requirements are being dropped from 4 April. However, Polyfest organisers say that it's too late for them to change from the plans they put in place under the previous set of restrictions.

Papatoetoe High School teacher, Mikaela Bayly, said she is just thankful the event went ahead.

Auckland Domain closed to vehicles due to camping protesters

They moved there after thousands of people crossed the harbour bridge on foot yesterday, in a march organised by the Freedoms and Rights Coalition

Camping is not permitted in the Domain, which lies between the suburbs of Parnell and Grafton.

Auckland Council director of customer and community services Claudia Wyss said it was working with event organisers on a safety-first approach.

She said there was no timeline for reopening at this stage and the council apologises for any inconvenience.

Fears Covid-19 cases will surpass 1000 a day by Christmas if Auckland restrictions eased

It will confirm after its Cabinet meeting today whether to go ahead as planned and allow shops to open and increase the outdoor gathering limit to 25.

But with 319 new cases over the weekend, and more than 1000 in the past seven days, health experts fear daily numbers cases could hit 1000 a day by Christmas if the spread is allowed to escalate further.

Public health lecturer Collin Tukuitonga said it was not the right time to ease restrictions.

"The outbreak could explode and spin out of control," he said.

102 Covid-19 community cases in NZ today

The Ministry of Health said 94 of the cases were in Auckland and eight in Waikato. Thirty of the cases are household contacts.

Forty of the new cases remain unlinked and there are 199 unlinked cases in the past 14 days.

There were 60 new community cases yesterday.

All of the Waikato cases were in the Te Awamutu area, the ministry said. Seven had already been linked to known cases.

One of the Waikato cases travelled to Hawke's Bay last Friday, but returned to Te Awamutu before testing positive.