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
Seal playing in the surf at Te Awanga Beach
Te Awanga local and professional photographer and videographer Michael Farr captured the seal playing in the surf at his local break. Video / Michael Farr
Hawke’s Bay breast cancer survivors to represent NZ at Dragon Boat Festival in France
'It’s not just about competing ... It’s about strength, courage, rehabilitation.' Video / Rafaella Melo
Watch as overtake manoeuvre goes wrong on State Highway 2 near Wairoa
The driver of a white ute slams on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a crash into an oncoming vehicle overtaking a truck. Video / Supplied
Inside the Rovers: Road trip blues
Painful defeat for Napier City Rovers puts heat on National League qualification hopes.
Watch: Forestry skidder tumbles down cliff into river
A Hawke's Bay logging company in voluntary liquidation has had its machinery damaged in dramatic circumstances
Hawke’s Bay disability fitness programme recognised on national stage
Hawke's Bay disability fitness programme finalist in NZ awards again. Video / Rafaella Melo
Watch solo-duo winner Heaps Moore performing at the Hawkes Bay Smokefree Rockquest Regional Final
The solo-duo winner was Heaps Moore, interpreted by Lily Moore and Thomas Heaps from Havelock North High School.
Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway opens to motorists
Watch as the first motorists travel the new highway on opening day. Video / NZTA
Hastings District Council's Māori ward social media videos
Hastings Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr and Takitimu Māori ward councilor Ana Apatu talking about Māori wards. Video / Hastings District Council
2025 King's Birthday Honours List
Celebrating the Knights and Dames appointed in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Video / NZ Herald
On the Up: HB Jammers brings music and joy back to Hawke’s Bay disabled youth
StarJam's collapse in November 2024 affected over 60 young people in Hawke's Bay. HB Jammers was formed three months later to continue the music workshops.
On the Up: Weekly Napier’s Lunch Time Loops blends walking with networking on Marine Pde
Lunch Time Loops in Napier combines wellbeing with networking through a weekly 30-minute walk. Video / Rafaella Melo
Jet ski speeds through Napier's inner harbour
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says speeding in the harbour puts everyone at risk. Video / HB Regional Council
Volunteering goes digital: Hawke’s Bay charities embrace remote roles
Remote volunteering: "I don’t have to choose between spending time with my children and giving back." Video / Rafaella Melo - HBT
Flaxmere supermarket set to open on Saturday
Flaxmere's new supermarket opens tomorrow at 7am at the Flaxmere Village Centre. Video / Rafaella Melo
Power box fire after crash in Greenmeadows, Napier
A power box caught on fire after a crash in Greenmeadows, Napier, on Thursday. Video / Wiebe Armand Marinus
Boxing coach ‘Mr Positive’ Craig McDougall empowers youth amid cancer fight
For 13 years, Craig McDougall has transformed the lives of thousands of young people in Hawke’s Bay through boxing programmes. Video / Rafaella Melo - Hawke's Bay Today
Napier’s Tim Clayton secures silver at Winter Special Olympics in Italy, just 0.1s from gold
Tim Clayton claimed a silver medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. Video / Rafaella Melo
Hawke’s Bay woman among first females at national digger competition
The competition challenges operators with precision tasks, such as painting, pouring water into a glass, opening a beer bottle and picking up an egg.
Te reo Māori Shrek features Hastings' Jeremy Macleod as Lord Farquaad
A classic film, now told in te reo Māori. Shrek returns to the big screen, with a Hawke's Bay voice bringing Lord Farquaad to life. Video / Rafaella Melo - Hawke's Bay Today
Art Deco Festival: Flyover in one of NZ's oldest passenger planes
Flyover of Napier in one of NZ's oldest passenger planes, a de Havilland DH-84 Dragon, to celebrate Art Deco Festival. Video / Gary Hamilton-Irvine
Eskdale man refuses buyout, stays on ancestral land after Cyclone Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle floodwaters destroyed Waikato Gray’s Eskdale home in February 2023. He refused a council buyout, staying on his ancestral land in a caravan. Video / Rafaella Melo
Watch: Abundance of Marine Life in Hawkes Bay
Harry Machiela captured underwater footage of the healthy marine life off Hardinge Road, Ahuriri. Video / Harry Machiela
Napier’s Bella Hey wins top NZ jazz dance award for fourth year
Young dancer Bella Hey tops NZ jazz exams for the fourth consecutive year. Video / Rafaella Melo
Mascot race delights at Colgate Games in Hawke’s Bay
Swoop the Magpie, Hawky the Hawk, and Seamore the Seagull compete at the mascot race at the opening of the 2025 North Island Colgate Games at Mitre 10 Sports Park in Hastings.
Coastal litter sparks community concern
Awatoto and Te Awanga littered with rubbish, locals call for more bins. Video / Rafaella Melo
The Art Farm
A former mushroom farm turned creative hub for local artists hosts its first night market. Video / Rafaella Melo
Inside the Rovers: Table Toppers
Big guns await as Kieran Richards and Napier City Rovers eye potential National League grand final spot. Video / Neil Reid
Car crashes into The Coffee Club in Taradale, Napier
A car drove through the front of The Coffee Club in Taradale, Napier, causing damage to the front of the store. Video / Supplied
Aftermath of serious bus crash transporting RSE workers to Hawke's Bay
Watch emergency services responding to the bus crash carrying RSE workers. Video / Supplied
Hawkes Bay Today reporter test-drives bridge after truckers 'unnerved’ by creaking noises.
A truck driver says the drive across the bridge is “unnerving" because it creaks and groans. Video / Michaela Gower
Hastings store owner violently pushed to the ground by customer
Han Zheng said the man became angry over a 5G connectivity issue with his phone. Video / Han Zheng
Truck on fire explodes on Napier street
Witnesses say they think a tyre blew during the fire, with an explosion that sent a plume of flame and smoke out. Video / Margie McAleese
Tararua District toll road protest
Tararua District residents, including Mayor Tracey Collis marched to protest against the proposed toll on Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatu-Tararua Highway. Video / Hawkes Bay Today
Hawke's Bay Coffin Club celebrates 10 years of making coffins
Customise your coffin with the Hawke's Bay Coffin Club members. Video / Michaela Gower
Neil Paton and Brad Edwards prepare for firefighting challenge
Neil Paton and Brad Edwards prepare for firefighting challenge Championship in Nashville. Video / Michaela Gower
Cricket team tackle challenge for Blair Tickner's wife's cancer journey
Central Stags cricket team fundraising for Ozanam House Palmerston North and Cure Leukaemia UK. Video / Michaela Gower / Hawke's Bay Today