Auckland's quarantine facilities are full - so two new managed covid isolation facilities have been activated in Rotorua -- after the Stamford hotel in Auckland wasn't ready

Two-hundred and 32 returning New Zealanders have already been bussed from Auckland International Airport to the Ibis and Sudima hotels in Rotorua.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb says it's because they weren't satisfied with the Stamford - due to returnees having to share two air bridges and a fire exit with long-term residents.

He says an increase in arrivals returning home means they need to make alternative plans.



There are currently four-thousand-272 people in managed isolation facilities.
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A call to see Auckland Council's accommodation provider targeted rate binned once and for all.

The council is proposing to suspend the rate from April 1 this year to the end of March next year.

But Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief executive, Chris Roberts, says going further than that would inspire some confidence in accommodation providers that Auckland has a tourism future.


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Indonesia's most volatile volcano is spewing ash and hot gas six kilometres into the sky.

Mount Merapi's clouds of ash have blanketed several villages on the main island of Java.

A rumbling sound can be heard kilometres away.

The mountain is the most active of Indonesia's 500 volcanoes.
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Millions of people have watched as Britain marked the summer solstice broadcast online from Stonehenge.

Only a few people gathered in a field near Stonehenge to watch the sun rise on Sunday morning.

This year's ceremony was restricted to an online event under Britain's social distancing rules.
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A suggestion volunteer work could be a silver lining for newly redundant Kiwis.

One woman is urging those who've lost their jobs to consider donating their time to a worthy cause.

Anne Malcolm says it's hard to find purpose when you've lost your job.



National Volunteer Week starts today.