Relaxation is what a Waiheke Island escape is for, writes Elisabeth Easther.

A resident in Paritai Drive, Orakei, "received a fright" when a burning flare landed in his garden, filling it with an intense red flame and smoke.

Dressed in expensive suits and designer frocks, they make a beeline for Britomart bars like Tyler Street Garage and 1885.

A man will appear in court this morning charged in connection with a central Auckland bar fight that left a 25-year-old man fighting for his life in hospital.

Billionaire developers behind a new five-star Viaduct hotel jetted into Auckland this week for confidential, last-minute negotiations.

Whether you're holidaying at home or visiting Auckland for the last week of the school holidays, take your children to where the wild things are. Danielle Wright checks out dinosaur-themed activities in Auckland.

He's one of Auckland's best-known street musicians - but he's been silenced by the theft of his $3800 guitar taken from the back of his car.

The noise from major construction is upsetting patients at Auckland City Hospital, who are being offered earplugs to block out the banging and crashing.

This year presents exciting possibilities to deliver on the goals of the Auckland Plan, writes Auckland's Mayor Len Brown.

Symonds St is a nasty place for cyclists. It should have "cyclists not welcome" signs.

Auckland tops a survey of 44 countries - but not in a good way. It costs $228 to buy items you'd pay $62 for in Bali.

A fire lit in the early hours of this morning has damaged part of Auckland's St Mary's church.

Donna McIntyre flies over Auckland in an old-school seaplane.

A man has fallen to his death from a central Auckland building today. The man's body was found on Durham St, between Albert and Queen streets, shortly after 11.30am.

It is the final most hoped would eventuate, with two former world No 1s and grand slam champions squaring off against each other.

Tennis star Venus Williams has touched down on New Zealand soil this morning ahead of the ASB Classic in Auckland next week.

An angry mother has criticised how staff at an Auckland cinema handled a ceiling collapse in which a young girl sustained minor injuries this morning.

Danielle Wright discovers the City of Sails is the best place to be this holiday season.

Police are still seeking a Good Samaritan who chanced upon a badly beaten man and took him to hospital last month, likely saving his life.

A battered bronze seat made of the letters "REO" has been removed from near the middle of an Auckland street for repairs.

All Blacks star Dan Carter got hearts pumping when he took part in an early morning group workout session in Auckland today.

At least 40 pay and display parking machines have been badly damaged in thefts from central Auckland.

A liquor store employee assaulted by armed robbers was not even supposed to be working in the store when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.