Stories by Amy Williams

A massive manta ray with a wingspan over 6m-wide has been spotted in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and marine scientists are asking boaties to report sightings of the giant fish for conservation records.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Education show 86 percent of schools in the region have reported cases in the past 10 days.

The cost of taking a train, bus or ferry will soon be temporarily halved to help counter the rising cost of living but not all commuters expect to rake in the savings.

Those on the front line of the Omicron outbreak are hoping for a swift move to phase three of the government's response.

A union representing workers across a range of sectors says even if vaccine mandates ended many businesses would keep them going.

Cafes and restaurants on the brink of collapse because of Covid-19 restrictions are being promised some relief by the government but still don't know what that will be.

Church pastors around the country are usually preparing to host services for tomorrow - but this year many worshippers will be watching pre-recorded services online.

A GP who has helped care for children infected with Covid-19 says families had expressed a wish to have vaccinations available to their school-aged tamariki.

Thousands more people could be eligible for their third booster vaccine dose this summer, and doctors on the frontline say they are ready for a speedier rollout.

Many businesses are giving the new Covid-19 traffic light system a tick of approval after this weekend's first big test.

Auckland cafes, bars and restaurants are reopening for table service under the new Covid-19 traffic light system, after months of lockdown.

Auckland's economic development agency is warning more businesses will close for good if the region doesn't move to Covid orange in a fortnight.

Stuck for months in a motorhome in Queensland, Sue Norton and her husband now have a firm date for returning home.

People working in sectors that require a vaccine pass must have their first inoculation by Friday week, including religious leaders, hospitality and retail workers. Audio

Travel will be allowed into and out of Tāmaki Makaurau when the boundary loosens on 15 December but tourism experts predict an exodus is coming.

As Covid-19 spreads to the Rotorua, Taupō and Tararua communities, authorites warn rural Māori are most at risk of the virus.

A Covid-19 case reported yesterday gave birth prematurely at Rotorua Hospital and their baby later died.

It's day one of alert level 3, step 2 for the city and retailers are flinging open their doors for an expected rush of pent-up demand, while many museums, zoos and libraries are gradually re-opening.

It is day 83 of lockdown for Aucklanders, and many feel that rising case numbers will overshadow any reprieve in restrictions this week.

Churches face a dilemma around whether vaccine certificates are needed when they welcome back physical congregations.

Trucking companies say a vaccine mandate at regional borders would be a problem because they are already struggling with a driver shortage and fragile supply chain. Audio

A group of principals will meet online with government officials today to discuss what needs to happen for primary schools to reopen in Auckland next month.

Auckland's economic agency says its team is hearing stories of business closures and although more people are out and about they are not spending more.

An Auckland inner city hotel and restaurant operator has decided it will take only guests who are fully vaccinated from November.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to working from home during lockdown while parenting, says chartered organisational psychologist Frank O'Connor.