A large leopard seal seems to have made its home in the waters of Auckland harbour.

Funds raised in this year's Red Nose Day will be focused on battling New Zealand's growing child and adolescent mental health problems.

Labour and National are in a war of words about how many homes have been sold in Auckland to first home-buyers.

Looming lapse of the affordability rule in up to half of special housing areas sparks land-banking accusations.

Dylan Chad was sentenced to 150 hours community work, six months supervision and another six months disqualification from driving.

A teenager who killed his best friend in a street race two years ago has admitted breaching a three-year driving ban to get computer games.

Dylan Chad was banned from driving for three years over the 2013 death of a mate. But he appeared in court last week on a charge of driving while disqualified.

A council body has four months to produce a viable film studio plan at Hobsonville Pt or the land will be used for housing.

Auckland councillors have given the supporters of a screen precinct at Hobsonville Point four months to develop a viable plan.

Mackenzie Vellenoweth is tough, physically and mentally. That much is apparent from a 15-minute chat with her at her Hobsonville Point Secondary School.

Sarah Ell and her family road, ride and walk-test the new attractions at Hobsonville Point.

Four of the best parks and outdoor spaces to take your kids.

The market for small low-cost houses by commercial group builders is gathering pace, as cash-strapped Aucklanders squeeze in and up.

A buyer keen on Hobsonville Pt's smallest of three new prototype houses couldn't close the purchase, partly because of financial barriers and the tiny size of the house.

Youths waving toy guns out of a car sparked an armed police and helicopter callout yesterday.

Blame it on the cycleways, the artwork and the market, but cycling advocate Barbara Cuthbert just can't stay away.

A 20ha block of land at Hobsonville set aside for the marine industry will now be used for housing after a vote by Auckland councillors today.

Two teenagers who pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of their friend in an illegal west Auckland street race will not go to jail.

A teenage boy was killed when he was hit by a car driven by his friends while playing a game of "possum" on a west Auckland road yesterday, says a resident.

The tornado which ripped through Hobsonville and Whenuapai in Auckland last December cost the insurance industry $8.7 million, the Insurance Council of New Zealand says.

New Zealand's first school built under a public-private partnership opened its doors to students today.

Bill English should look into a mirror next time he points the finger at Auckland Council for not doing enough to encourage affordable housing, writes Brian Rudman.