Two women received minor shotgun pellet injuries while walking along a track beside the Clutha River in Alexandra on Sunday morning.Detective Sergeant Paul Slater of Queenstown police said the incident happened about 11am. “The…

A smouldered chilly bin of fish was all that remained after a boat was engulfed in flames and sank in the Manukau Harbour today, sparking a dramatic rescue.A family of three were about 300m offshore from Āwhitu when the engine…

The New Zealand High Commission in India has apologised to the Indian government after issuing an urgent plea for an oxygen cylinder on social media as the country grapples with its worst Covid-19 outbreak yet. Video circulating…

Whanganui has been rattled by an earthquake this afternoon.The 3.2 magnitude quake struck at 4.56pm. It was 17km deep.At least 400 people have reported feeling the quake according to Geonet.

Travellers arriving in Queensland who have visited any of WA's coronavirus exposure sites will need remain in hotel quarantine for 14 days under new state health orders.

Three people in Perth, a quarantine hotel worker and two contacts, tested positive to the virus yesterday.

WA Health has released a list of exposure dates dating back to 27 April, 2021.

READ MORE: WA avoids second lockdown as state records no new cases overnight

Queensland Deputy Chief health Officer Dr Sonya Bennett said as a result of WA's confirmed cases a new Interstate Exposure Venues Direction would apply to Queenslanders who had visited any of the locations.

"If you are entering Queensland and have been to any of the WA exposure sites at the time specified, you will need to quarantine for 14 days in government-arranged accommodation," Dr Bennett said in a statement.

"If you have been to any of these sites and are already in Queensland, you must call (13 43 25 84) to discuss your circumstances.

"You must immediately travel by private transport directly to your home or accommodation and quarantine until you receive further instructions from Queensland Health."

Queensland's COVID-19 total remains at 1,564, with no new cases in the past 24 hours.

Police have released the name of the person who died following a crash in Invercargill yesterday.He was Neil John Van Schaik, a prominent Invercargill real estate agent.Van Shaik was also part-owner of the race-horse The Chosen…

Pressure is mounting on the Government to reveal its position on a report National leader Judith Collins says will create “two systems by stealth”, with separate systems for Māori.Minister for Māori Crown Relations Kelvin…

Two divers missing this afternoon from Banks Peninsula have been found alive after getting washed away from the boat by strong currents. A man and women, both still wearing their diving gear and oxygen tanks, were brought ashore…

By RNZ The fishing industry in the top of the South Island ihas hundreds of roles needing to be urgently filled and is urgently crying out for more workers.The Nelson Regional Development Agency has joined three of the largest…

Human rights groups have slammed the federal government's move to enforce legal action against Australians attempting to return from India.

Under the new laws to come into effect on Monday, Australian citizens in virus-stricken India could face hefty fines of up to $66,000 and even jail time if they try to return home.

The decision was confirmed by Health Minister Greg Hunt yesterday.

READ MORE: Australians who fly home from India risk jail, hefty fines

The penalties, which are being invoked under the Biosecurity Act, are aimed at stopping people coming here from India via other countries such as Singapore or the United Arab Emirates.

Amnesty International Australia's Joel MacKay has told the Weekend Today show that the federal government has shown a "complete disregard" for Australians overseas.

"The Morrison Government promised to get stranded Aussies home by Christmas last year – yet we have thousands and thousands of stranded Australians right across the world

"The Human Rights Commission, the United Nations, us at Amnesty International – we've all been saying that the way that they're dealing with stranded Aussies violates human rights," Mr MacKay said.

READ MORE: NZ pauses travel bubble with WA after three new COVID-19 cases

"It is not just breaching human rights, but it is just an utter disregard and contempt for the way that they are working with stranded Australians."

He noted that the Australian passport contained a statement from the Governor-General that says Australians should have free access to travel around the world.

"Human rights are universal – they don't go away," he said.

"The Morrison Government promised to get stranded Aussies home by Christmas last year – yet we have thousands and thousands of stranded Australians right across the world and now around 11,000 in the crisis hot spot in India."

Mr MacKay called on the government to "turbocharge" the nation's quarantine system, lift travel caps and to consider home quarantine where possible.

READ MORE: Hospital fire kills 18 virus patients as India steps up jabs

It comes after the Australian Human Rights Commission released a stinging statement yesterday urging the federal government to scrap the new measures.

The body, which operates independently but is funded by the government, labelled the criminal sanctions both concerning and "extraordinary".

"The need for such restrictions must be publicly justified," the statement read.

"The Government must show that these measures are not discriminatory and the only suitable way of dealing with the threat to the public."

The Commission said it is also approaching the federal government directly with its concerns.