It now costs a typical household $40 more to fill up their car than it did last week - and people in some of the country's more remote and lower-income areas may be feeling it most.

Crew on the Cook Strait ferry Kaiārahi did not know a passenger who went overboard was missing until they found his car.

Care workers' unions are taking legal action against Health NZ, with carers in remote areas saying the price of petrol is so high they're losing money visiting more remote clients.

Black market cigarettes are being brazenly sold at heavily discounted prices in Auckland, undermining one of the biggest barriers to smoking - the cost.

Police say violence at an Auckland party that saw a young person hospitalised is an isolated incident, but neighbours maintain it's an ongoing issue that needs addressing.

A patient advocate warns the consequences of people receiving incorrect medical treatment due to mistaken identity can be catastrophic.