Police have blocked off an inner-city Auckland street after a suspicious substance was found in the carpark of a building that houses the US Consular General and other diplomatic offices.

One of New Zealand's top hotels, the Westin has been stripped of its Qualmark licence as a bitter battle between unit owners and the receiver of the hotel's management company continues.

Up to 95 homes in Auckland's Franklin Rd now have their Xmas lights on at night, says the founder of the annual spectacle.

The new chef at a Parnell institution has done wonders for its menu.

A driver ran from his car sobbing and yelling: "I checked the road, I checked and it was clear," witnesses say.

Crossbows, $20,000 cash, methamphetamine and a Harley Davidson motorcycle were among goods seized during a series of police raids on Hells Angels gang houses in Auckland and Napier this morning.

A motorcyclist has been killed in a second crash on Dominion Rd in the central Auckland suburb of Mt Eden today, just hours after a five-car pile-up on the same stretch of road.

A man faces a charge of driving while incapable after crashing into several parked vehicles near a busy Auckland intersection today.

Seven people have been arrested after drug raids on nine properties including the Hells Angels Auckland HQ today. Police said the raids came on the back of an 'intensive' two month investigation into a Hawkes Bay methamphetamine ring.

Taika Waititi's Boy has had another successful night, this time at the inaugural Visa Entertainment Screen Awards in Auckland.

A chronically ill Hawkes Bay girl whose charity event was snubbed by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is getting life-saving surgery.

A few weeks ago, in a review of Le Garde-Manger in upper Queen St, I implied that good French food was hard to find in Auckland except in eateries founded by Alex Roux (Bouchon, Torchon, Pastis) or his alumni.

Two Auckland prison guards have today been charged with smuggling contraband - including a controlled drug - into jail for inmates. One of the men also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Two Auckland prison guards were arrested today and face a number of charges after a joint operation between police and the Department of Corrections.

A noisy crowd gathered in Auckland this morning to voice opposition to a proposed trans-Pacific free trade agreement.

TVNZ hosted a Christmas party for the news and current affairs team on Saturday night with a very special musical act.