Auckland Council should follow its new focus in asking its agencies to get better value from its commercial assets, says the Government.

For local tugboat enthusiast Baden Pascoe, there is something honourable and magical about a vessel that has been a workhorse most of its life.

It's all happening on the water this weekend - we round up some of the best spots to catch the yachting action.

A crate of plants came with an exotic surprise this afternoon as biodiversity officials discovered a live boa constrictor hiding inside.

Crowds are gathering at beaches to watch the tsunami threatening New Zealand, says the coastguard.