A sixth confirmed death has the presumptive toll from the New Zealand volcano tragedy at 14 as police lose hope for the fate of eight people left on Whakaari after Monday's eruption.

One of the Australians among the people missing after a volcano eruption in New Zealand has been found alive.

One of the three members of an Adelaide family feared missing after a New Zealand volcano eruption has been found alive.

Anthony Albanese has been accused of pretending to fight for the coal industry as he attacked "childish" coalition tactics.

Holden is axing the Commodore after decades as its top-selling car and 26 wins at Bathurst.

Smoke across parts of the Sydney basin is so thick that air pollution has been deemed 11 times worse than the typical "hazardous" level.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned against immediate finger-pointing in the wake of the Whakaari volcano eruption as Kiwi authorities announce at least one probe into the tragedy.

Federal Water Minister David Littleproud has left the door open to support a Nationals backbench push to dramatically shake up water rules to help farmers in drought.

Alaska will soon end a year shaping up as its hottest on record, with glaciers melting at record or near-record levels, into rising global seas.

Two Queenslanders remain unaccounted for following a massive volcanic eruption off the North Island in New Zealand.