A giant swastika-like symbol has been removed from a maunga in east Auckland by Police, after it was discovered by disturbed residents on Saturday.

There are 2,618 new community cases and 557 people currently in hospital with Covid-19 today.

This is the lowest number of community cases since late February this year.

Across Aotearoa, there are 30,101 active cases of the virus, almost 8,000 less than this time last week.

Fifteen patients are in intensive care with the virus, five more than yesterday.

The average age of those in hospital is 62.

A further 11 people have died with the virus.

There are 3,650 new Covid cases and 546 hospitalisations today as the number of infections continues to fall.

Ten people are currently receiving care in intensive care units across the country.

The seven-day rolling average of community case numbers is 4,418 today. Last Saturday, it was 5,608.

There are now 30,907 active cases of the virus throughout the community. This time last week, there were 39,244.

Hospitalisations due to the virus are also down. Today, the seven-day rolling average is 594, while last Saturday it was 703. 

Image credit: Facebook / Prepper Kiwi

A mass stranding of nine dolphins has happened on Waiheke Island today, in which two have reportedly died.

According to the NZ Herald, Project Jonah, iwi Ngāti Pāoa and the Department of Conservation are working together to rescue the pod, which includes one calf.

Project Jonah says, in a tweet, that medics and senior staff are onsite at a shallow bay at Whakanewha Regional Park, south of the island, and that no further help is needed.

The government is hailing the success of the Mana in Mahi programme, an initiative run by the Ministry of Social Development designed to help people on a benefit into new careers by paying wage subsidies to participating employers.

Manurewa Marae is one of the workplaces that has taken on the programme.

Mana in Mahi began in 2018, with 5,000 people signed up for the programme. Some 44 percent are Māori or Pacific, and 64 percent are aged under 24 years.

Manurewa Marae chief executive Tash Kemp says the marae saw this as an opportunity to empower whānau.

The Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre in Pukekohe is offering te reo Māori swimming lessons for toddlers and young children.

The class was started as a way to bring more te reo Māori into the centre. Yesterday marked the start of classes, and the hope is that not just Māori but the wider community in Franklin will embrace te reo.

The centre came up with the idea to have Māori language swimming classes following discussions with staff and the community.

Hilarie Legg, who runs the centre, says it's a way of expanding the business and boosting inclusivity.

The Auckland teenager who was sentenced to home detention and supervision after he raped and sexually violated multiple teenage girls is fighting to keep his name secret.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is getting close to unveiling a new $38 million walking and cycleway over the Manukau Harbour this month.