A man jailed today for a violent kidnapping will be immediately eligible for parole having spent a year in custody.

Art critics are impressed with the controversial $1.5 million sculpture planned for Queens Wharf, but it has been labelled a monstrosity and joke by some.

The controversial $1.5 million "lighthouse" sculpture on Queens Wharf is being made more in keeping with its state house roots.

Three Auckland restaurant owners have appeared in court facing charges relating to the exploitation of workers.

Two of Auckland's most popular eateries are closed until further notice after a fire caused extensive damage to their joint kitchen.

A man has been arrested after two women suffered injuries from a sword in Auckland today, police say.

A woman has been found dead at Copthorne Hotel in central Auckland.

At least one of the high profile Auckland eateries where fire broke out today is "gutted", says celebrity chef Al Brown.

The latest public mural by Kiwi artist Owen Dippie is under way in central Auckland.

Downtown Auckland faces big traffic and public transport challenges with construction on the $2.5 billion underground railway to Mt Eden starting soon.

A multimillion-dollar contract to build two finger wharves at Ports of Auckland is up in the air because of legal and political manoeuvres.

A pedestrian who was believed to have sustained head injuries after being hit by a car in Avondale last week has been identified, police say.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has stepped up a war of words with Ports of Auckland, accusing port bosses of keeping the council in the dark about two huge wharf extensions.

A woman hit so hard by a car she smashed the windscreen and dented its bonnet is sought by police, who hold grave concerns for her safety.

Cars may be squeezed out of Auckland's main street as the city's transport authority looks to modern trams to move growing throngs of commuters.

An Auckland couple paid just $125,000 for a $1.57 million four-bedroom Grammar zone character Greenlane house yesterday.

Auckland Council has formally asked Ports of Auckland to halt construction of two massive wharf extensions.

'We can't wait to help make other people's lives a little easier.' The winners of Saturday's $9.1 million Powerball prize share how they will spend their money.

Rezoning Auckland's Viaduct apartment land as commercial would make the area more like other parts of the city and result in a more vibrant mix of activities, says Auckland Council.

A $9.1 million winning Lotto ticket which was sold in Northcote remains unclaimed this morning.

Here are five of the best family-friendly cafes praised by our parent pals.

Increased public transport services are planned to cater for cricket fans heading to the Takutai Square fanzone in downtown Auckland tomorrow.

Top property experts lead fight against council’s Unitary Plan proposal.

Urban Auckland has taken the first legal steps to stop Ports of Auckland beginning construction on two massive wharf extensions next month.

Auckland Council is praising the swift reporting of its staff for allowing an attempted bribery case to reach the courts.

What matchup: A surging South African team who dealt to Sri Lanka with disdain and a New Zealand side playing an aggressive style to dominate their opposition, writes Mark Greatbatch.