Aucklanders are venturing out on the roads beyond the regional border for the first weekend in four months after lockdown travel restrictions were further eased this week. However, motorists are being warned to expect some delays…

More than 190 hectares will be set aside for a dedicated koala sanctuary near Port Macquarie, north of Sydney, in a bid to save the native animal from extinction.

The New South Wales Government announced they have bought 194 hectares of "prime koala habitat" as part of a joint purchase with Koala Conservation Australia (KCA)

The land is adjacent to the Lake Innes Nature Reserve, south-west of Port Macquarie.

READ MORE: Koala population on rapid decline after horror bushfires

The move is part of a mission to help double the marsupials' population in the state by 2050.

NSW's koala population saw a drastic decline after the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, with some scientists warning they're on track for extinction by 2050.

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Environment Minister Matt Kean said the purchase will protect the core koala habitat in the Port Macquarie region.

"There has been sustained community advocacy to see this land purchased," Mr Kean said.

"Our iconic koalas are increasingly threatened by the loss and fragmentation of habitat, this purchase will protect critical habitat from development and ensure the koala population in this area is safeguarded forever.

"Our plan is to add this purchase to Lake Innes Nature Reserve and declare it an Asset of Intergenerational Significance, which will provide the highest possible protections to this critically important population in perpetuity."

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the purchase is a victory for the many advocates in the local community who have fought so hard for this result.

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"The conservation of koalas on this land will be boosted by an ongoing partnership between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and KCA – a great demonstration of what can be achieved when government works closely with the community," Ms Williams said.

"It's such welcome news here in the Port Macquarie region that the NSW Government has recognised the significance of this land through our passionate local community campaign."

As well as the koala, three additional threatened species — eastern coastal free-tailed bat, glossy black cockatoo and grey-headed flying-fox — have been recorded on the property.

Police have released the identities of five children killed in a horror jumping castle accident in Tasmania yesterday as the tight-knit community mourns the tragedy.

Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Peter Dodt, all aged 12, and 11-year-old Addison Stewart all died in the accident in Devonport yesterday.

There were close to 40 grade five and six students taking part in the end-of-term activities at Hillcrest Primary School when the accident occurred.

READ MORE: Small community 'wrapping its arms around' families devastated by jumping castle tragedy

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said "the majority of those injured were in the jumping castle" when it was lifted by the gust of wind.

Three children are still fighting for their lives at the Royal Hobart Hospital, and one child was this morning discharged from hospital to recover at home.

Peter Dodt's sister expressed her pain after the death of her brother.

"It just hurts… knowing I won't be able to see him again," Peter's sister Chloe told 9News.

"We're not the only ones hurting, and we know that, it's horrible but thanks to those who are reaching out and helping," Jye Dodts, Peter's cousin, added.

Commissioner Hine said the whole Devonport region was feeling the loss deeply.

"Tasmanians are coming together to support each other at this very difficult time," said.

"Support those around you and ask for help if you are struggling."

Tributes for two of the children, Zane and Addison, have already been posted online.

Zane is being remembered as a "beautiful caring, gentle soul".

In an online fundraiser, a family remember of Addison wrote: "Everyone is devastated, she was always such a sweet kind, old soul."

Earlier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed his "deepest sympathies" for the families involved.

"I want to extend on behalf of the government and Jenny and I, our deepest sympathies to all the families and all the community in Devonport for this horrific tragedy, that's occurred with the loss of five young precious lives, and more that hang in the balance," he said.

"Our first responders each and every day are trained to deal with some of the most unimaginable things, but on this occasion it goes beyond what they could have imagined."

Ruapehu businesses that aren’t complying with Covid-19 rules under the traffic light system will be referred to police, Ruapehu District Council chief executive Clive Manley says.Police will undertake to educate and inform the business…

Dozens of COVID-19 cases have been linked to two Melbourne bars – including one Omicron infection – sparking fears of a superspreader event.

The Department of Health is investigating 28 coronavirus cases linked to the pubs of concern, with 16 connected to The Peel Hotel in Collingwood and 12 to Sircuit Bar in Fitzroy.

The outbreak jumped from seven to 28 today, prompting concerns it has become a superspreader.

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"One case is confirmed with the Omicron variant," the Department of Health said.

"Work is underway to determine if any of the other cases have the Omicron variant."

More than 700 people remain in isolation until tomorrow after the infected person visited the two pubs last Friday.

READ MORE: Growing Omicron cluster linked to Taylor Swift dance party in Sydney

Victoria now has a total of 19 confirmed Omicron infections, an increase of six from the previous day.

The state recorded 1510 COVID-19 cases today and seven more deaths.

There are 386 people in hospital, with 82 patients in intensive care.

A total of 92.4 per cent Victorians are fully vaccinated.

Police investigating the ‘execution style’ killing of David Kuka – an innocent man believed to be the victim of mistaken identity – have made an arrest nearly four years after his death.A 34-year-old man from Raetihi will be charged…

On December 17, 2011, Kim Jong-Un succeeded his father as leader of North Korea. Here are the highlights of his bizarre and secretive iron rule over the country.

Test your brains with the Herald’s afternoon quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for the morning quiz tomorrow. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.

Western Australia has tightened its border arrangements with Queensland and Tasmania in response to COVID-19 cases in both states.

From midnight on Sunday night, Queensland will move to medium risk, Premier Mark McGowan said today.

This means people will not be allowed to enter WA without an approval pass.

READ MORE: Arrest over alleged $530k fraud of COVID-19 micro-business grant

People coming in from a medium risk jurisdiction must quarantine for 14 days, and be fully vaccinated.

Tasmania will move to low risk, which means people who enter the state will need to be double vaccinated and complete two weeks of quarantine.

People from Tasmania can still enter WA without an approved pass, but must complete a registration and declaration.

A full list of the risk levels in Western Australia is available here.

A Morrinsville man who killed his dad after pushing him through a glass door during a whisky-fuelled rage has been jailed.Bahadur Singh, 42, in the High Court at Hamilton was today sentenced on a charge of manslaughter of Gurnam…