With New Zealand on the precipice of an Omicron outbreak and the economic upheaval that comes with it, the CTU’s annual Mood of the Workforce Survey shows the vast majority of kiwi workers do not have the financial resources to survive a period of unemployment.

The Onepū Wetland and Mountain Bike Park is now accessible to powered wheelchair users and the mobility challenged thanks to Bay of Plenty Regional Council funding.

A rāhui that was put in place following four drownings in the Manawatū River at Ahimate Reserve in Palmerston North over the new year period has been lifted today.

Buller is now in a restricted fire season.

The change from open to restricted occurred at 8 am Tuesday 18 January.

It means anyone planning to light an open-air fire will need to apply for and obtain a permit.

Hamilton City Council has thanked Te Papanui Enderley Community Trust for being the driving force behind proposed safety upgrades in Enderley.

Tearfund’s CEO Ian McInnes says the effects of the violent undersea volcano and resulting tsunami in Tonga are alarming.

"The main concerns for the Tongan community will be the lack of access to safe drinking water and the damages to crops.

Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) members are working with the Harbour Master and marina management to co-ordinate the safe recovery of wrecks, pollution management and health and safety matters for the recovery effort following the damage at Tutukaka marina.