As it happened: Rain lashes North and South IslandsChina says a surge in illnesses is caused by flu and other known pathogensMan accused of North Shore kidnapping named; other suspect still soughtBiden holds 4 point lead over Trump, new poll showsOngoing withdrawals from savings pressure Brazil’s real estate marketVOX POPULI: History of ‘shunto’ spring labor offensive seems timely110,000 people to evacuate as floods swamp Russia, KazakhstanVOX POPULI: Long lost in the war, Okinawan treasures finally come home Road north of Kerikeri partly reopens after gas delivery truck accidentNew Zealand being considered as potential AUKUS Pillar Two partner