Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said the new community case from yesterday - which plunged Auckland into alert level 3 and the rest of New Zealand into alert level 2 - was the UK variant.
Latest Video
Sam Ruthe breaks NZ records in LA
The 16-year-old Tauranga runner lowered his own national U17 and U18 1500m records at the Sound Running Sunset Tour in Los Angeles. Video / Athletics NZ
Farmer's harrowing hours crushed beneath tractor
Peter was trapped under a tractor for hours on his Mangakino farm. Video / Philips Search and Rescue Trust
Weighlifters named NZ Team flag bearers
Weightlifters David Liti and Tui-Alofa Patolo have been named flag bearers for the New Zealand Team at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
Mount Maunganui's big summer of cricket
Bay Oval will host seven internationals this summer season. Video / Tauranga City Council
Police deal blow to Greazy Dogs' meth production
Police arrested members and seized more than $1.5m in assets in the Western Bay of Plenty. Video / Tom Eley
Aerial footage of flooded farmland in Bay of Plenty
Aerial footage shows flooding east of Pāpāmoa on Wednesday. Video / Oceania Helicopters Tauranga Ltd
2025 King's Birthday Honours List
Celebrating the Knights and Dames appointed in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Video / NZ Herald
Aircraft makes hard landing at Tauranga Airport
Emergency services have responded after an aircraft made a hard landing at Tauranga Airport.
Birdies for Remi
Dad thanks people for helping raise money to help treat his daughter's condition. Video / Jack Bouvier
Waipuna Hospice chief executive on its financial 'struggle'
Waipuna‘s Hospice chief executive David Bryant says the organisation is at “crisis” point with a funding shortfall of $8.1m this financial year.
Cyclone Gabrielle inspires ‘social housing underwater’ for crayfish
A new initiative to enhance the resilience of marine life to the effects of climate change and human impact has launched this week in Tauranga Harbour. Video / Deep Dive Division
Casey Brady walks with assistance eight years after paralysing back injury
Brady was told in 2017 she wouldn't walk again due to a spinal cord injury. Video / Supplied
Rochelle Zajko presents her petition to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee
The petition asks for the removal of the new barriers that block access to Wright Road, Aongatete Road, Dawson Road and workplaces from State Highway 2. Video / Office of the Clerk
Vetpost moves to Tauriko Business Estate
The business has experienced more than a 50% increase in orders since moving. Video / Megan Wilson
Restoration begins at historic Monmouth Redoubt
The tree removal is to protect underlying archaeological features and maintain the integrity of the redoubt.
Tauranga garage fire
A large garage fire in central Tauranga was attended by multiple fire crews.
Tauranga Special School: Diamond jubilee
Principal Barrie Wickens takes NZME on a tour of Tauranga Special School in 18th Avenue. Video / Tom Eley
Pāpāmoa East Interchange ramps set to open early
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford on one of the ramp connections at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange opening early.
SH29 truck undertaking incident shocks driver
A truck undertakes a vehicle after being overtaken on State Highway 29 in the Bay of Plenty. Video / Supplied
Otūmoetai Social Supermarket
Ōtūmoetai Social Supermarket provides affordable groceries for local families. Video / Tom Eley
Helen Clark thanks father on his 103rd birthday
Helen Clark with her father George Clark at home in Waihī Beach ahead of his 103rd birthday. Video / Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Parents' fight for 'justice' after daughter dies in crash
Vaishali McNeill, 15, died in a 2023 head-on crash with a truck. Parents Sarb Mann and David McNeill want harsher penalties for impaired drivers. Video / Andrew Warner, Supplied
Traffic build up after SH29 crash
Aerial view of traffic build up after SH29 crash on the Kaimai Range.
Pāpāmoa flooding
A heavy downpour of rain this morning has caused flooding in Pāpāmoa .
Traffic tail15km long: SH2 delays amid roadworks
Chipseal works cause heavy traffic and delays between Te Puna and Aongatete.
Mount Monster 2024
340 competitors took part in the prestigious Race One Surf Craft Mount Monster held at Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Video / Geoff Cox
Rotorua Lakes Council gets festive
Rotorua Māori ward councillor Rawiri Waru at the final meeting for the year. Video / Laura Smith
Mount Maunganui Primary School wins Jump Jam national title
Mount Maunganui Primary School's winning Jump Jam team, Mount Mystics.
Teens embark on 800km Cape to Cape charity journey
Tauranga school leavers Olly Dow, Thomas Winter and William Dunn are embarking on an epic expedition, raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation. Video supplied.
Mum who had surgery in Germany says the results have been amazing
Ten weeks post-surgery, she can eat and walk again. Video / Megan Wilson
Tauranga Art Trail montage
The Kiwi art trail is back this year with support from the Tauranga City Council from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 17. Video / Aleyna Martinez
Talented 8-year-old gymnast Azaria's big dreams
Azaria Tai is 8 years old and showing a lot of potential in her gymnastics. She hopes to one day go to the Olympics and represent New Zealand. Video / Ayla Yeoman
Man rescued after vehicle drops 15m on to roof
A man was airlifted to hospital after his vehicle dropped 15m off a road on to its roof in the Coromandel. Video / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Harry and Kowhai the assistance dog
The relationship between Harry, and his assistance dog Kowhai, provides a much-needed bond between the two and allows his parents to relax. Video / Tom Eley
Rescue helicopter takes off with injured paraglider
The paraglider was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after crashing on Mauao.
Matakana kura’s epic daily commute to Aims
Te Kura o Te Moutere o Matakana students are making their way from Matakana Island to the Tauranga mainland by boat for Aims Games.
Woolworths First Union members protest pay and working conditions
Woolworths First Union members protesting near the Cameron Rd, Tauranga store today for fairer pay and better working conditions.