The flood crisis gripping Queensland and northern NSW has worsened, with some residents being forced to cut themselves out of their homes to survive.

Trials in two big Auckland courts have come to a halt after staff are believed to have attended a party with a work colleague who had Covid. Both jury and judge-alone trials at Auckland and Manukau District Courts have been temporarily…

The Labour Party has announced it is endorsing Efeso Collins’ independent campaign for the mayoralty of Auckland.The decision was made at the weekend by the party’s governing body, following consultation with members. Collins’ bid…

A Golden Bay trust which promotes sustainable living in harmony with one another has had to declare one of its residents a squatter to get him to leave.Joseph Angelo has been living on the 7.2ha hillside property Spirit of Nature…

Experts have welcomed the removal of self-isolation for vaccinated people entering New Zealand as a practical and sensible move amid dropping border cases – but have called for widening the term “fully vaccinated” to include being…

A car has been spiked by police following a report of a robbery at an Auckland dairy this afternoon.A witness said a Subaru Legacy fled from police and travelled down the Northwestern Motorway.”A number of tyres had been deflated…

An Auckland restaurant that failed to pay an international student’s full wages has been ordered to pay over $20,000, after the student was verbally abused and sacked when she raised concerns. Penrose’s Big Fish Eatery, owned by…

A man who claimed he was the “doormat” of the Comancheros gang in Auckland has been sentenced after he hid 10kg of methamphetamine in his garage, with a street value of around $1.8m. He pleaded guilty to his role in an operation…

A pontoon carrying a crane broke free of its mooring in Brisbane, sparking an evacuation warning.

Police have asked anyone at the Howard Smith Wharves, including people in surrounding businesses and on the riverside walkaway, to stay away from the area.

A police helicopter has flown over the area with sirens on, with a warning for residents to "move away from the water's edge".

READ MORE: Major flood emergency gripping Queensland and parts of northern NSW

Officers are also walking around the wharves on foot, asking people to keep clear of the area.

Some residents stood on nearby balconies to have a look at the pontoon.

"Locals are advised to avoid the area and unless absolutely necessary, stay home," Queensland Police said.

Brisbane City Council is on standby with drones, in order for council workers to assess the situation.

However, council workers will have to wait until the police helicopter lands.

Lake weed on the $40 million lakefront redevelopment is causing a stench in Rotorua and has so far cost ratepayers about $20,000 to clear.The regional and district councils say it is due to a storm and high winds and the smell…