Hamilton City Council will pitch a suite of environmental initiatives to the Government as part of its plan to help the city recover from COVID-19.

Tropical Cyclone Harold remains a Severe Category 4 cyclone today as it brushes past the south western and southern sides of Fiji.

Finding the right support and essential services during the Covid-19 response lockdown has just become a lot easier in Wellington with the launch of an online interactive map and directory.

Two tuatara hatchlings have recently been sighted at Orokonui Ecosanctuary by University of Otago researchers and are the first to be seen since adult tuatara were released at the ecosanctuary in 2012.

"In recent years many oil and gas companies have pulled out of operations in Aoteaora yet current legislative requirements for proper decommissioning and clean up remain grossly inadequate, despite years of government promises to close legislative loopholes," continued Bailey.

Police is urging New Zealanders to stay safe by staying home this Easter.

Police will be ramping up visibility in communities and on the roads including operating checkpoints over the Easter period, making sure people are safe and complying with the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions.

Waikato Regional Council is considering options for a rates relief package for ratepayers facing financial hardship.

Three people have been arrested following a four-month-long investigation into the flow of methamphetamine into Queenstown and the surrounding area.

This morning the operation culminated with Police executing search warrants in Queenstown and Christchurch.

Police are asking for the public's help finding 71-year-old James Edwards, commonly known as Jim, who has been reported missing from his Morris Spence Avenue, Napier address.

He left Morris Spence Ave early this morning and has not been seen since.

Around 3000 requests for food parcels have been received by an Auckland Council call centre in the first week of its operation, says Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.