Around half a dozen local bands have made the trip to New York for the CMJ Music Marathon, which kicks off this week. New Zealander Gemma Gracewood is there so you don't have to be.

Tired of having a ‘monkey mind’, and inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love, Rebecca Barry sets out to find inner peace on a meditation course and talks to a woman who turned on, tuned in and dropped out in Bali.

The albums, the sales and the hits ... a pop reign comes to an end

Venasio-Lorenzo Crawley, an executive general manager at insurer IAG, tells Ashley Campbell about the community spirit of his home suburb.

Labour has unveiled new policies at its annual conference this weekend which it believes will give the party an edge over National in the next election.

Cupcake decorating is a fun and challenging way to get creative in the kitchen. Bronwyn Sell has a go.

A crowd of about 100 at Auckland Airport is welcoming a contingent of Commonwealth Games athletes home.

Who: Kids of 88 and The Naked and Famous When and where: Saturday night, The Powerstation

Swimmer Daniel Bell, sent home from the Commonwealth Games for having two beers, has been defended by his father.

A delicious Indian feast awaits you in a pretty Parnell setting.

A heritage architecture award for the remnants of Auckland's Jean Batten Building has offended preservationists.

The atmosphere, if not always the food, is right on the money at this buzzing Italian joint.