Latest from Manurewa

Woman's death 'painful and unnecessary'

Ena Lai Dung died in a pool of her own urine and faeces, starved, dehydrated, neglected and in extreme pain. Today Cindy Taylor was sentenced for Ena's death.

'Too big for the lifejackets'

A survivor of the Kaipara Harbour disaster was too big for the lifejackets, and desperately clung to the flotation devices while he swam to shore badly injured.

'La Mont should never have been charged'

In his first interview since being released from prison, Bruce Emery says Justin La Mont should never have been charged with murder.

Gas leak found at Auckland school

Firefighters were called out to a high school in Auckland this afternoon after reports of a smell of gas.

Shop keeper bashed - tobacco stolen

A group of four women assaulted a South Auckland shop keeper before making off with a cache of cigarettes this afternoon.

Neighbours kick in door in house fire

Neighbours kicked in the door and broke windows of a burning house to check if anyone was inside.

What they said: Councillors' maiden speeches

Here are extracts from the five new faces on Auckland Council.

Man in court for stealing $27.6k

A man has appeared in court for stealing more than $27,600 from 29 people over a course of three months.

Public overhear 'plans to rob a bakery'

A man allegedly holding a fake gun was apparently foiled when members of the public overheard him talking about plans to rob a Manurewa bakery.

Family in garage faces eviction

A family living in a South Auckland garage faces eviction in October because the landlord converted it into a flat without a council permit.

Couple's food drive helping hundreds

A couple who've had their own financial struggles are making it their mission to help others - by handing out food each week to hundreds in need.

Marae opens doors to homeless

Toi Katipa never expected that he and his family would end up sleeping at the marae because they had become homeless.

Toddler rescued from locked van

An 18-month-old boy locked in a van in South Auckland has been rescued thanks to the quick help of fire crews.

School to get $14.5m redevelopment

The Government has announced it will spend more than $14 million rebuilding a Manurewa primary school riddled with toxic mould and asbestos.

Firefighters rescue two cats stuck up same tree

Not one, but two cats stuck up a tree.

Man on the run after pointing gun at police

A man who pointed a gun at police during a bail check in Manurewa is on the run in a stolen car and should not be approached.