A 10-year-old boy sent to his room to practise his times tables accidentally started a fatal house fire by playing with a lighter.

Fire that claimed the life of respected member of the Tuvaluan community in West Auckland is believed to have been caused by children playing with a lighter.

An investigation into a house fire in Ranui last night is centred around a bedroom where a cigarette lighter was found.

Bikes worth almost $160,000 taken from West Auckland warehouse in a heist that could have taken up to six hours.

A man who died at a West Auckland house fire last night was trying to rescue children from the blaze.

An Auckland firefighter who has been to "thousands" of call-outs has found out in the worst way possible what it's like to be on the other end of the emergency.

An Auckland kindergarten has devised an out of the box way to raise funds for its new playground.

West Auckland couple who had sentimental baby gear stolen out of their car on the North Shore earlier this week say: "We have been blessed by many very kind Kiwis".

A pedestrian is in a critical condition after being struck by a car in west Auckland last night.

Road closures will hit late-night West Auckland commuters tonight as workers press ahead.

A 31-year-old is now facing a number of charges after an armed operation locked down a west Auckland street last night.

Police have taken a 31 year-old man into custody this evening, following a callout to a property in Meadowvale Rise, Titirangi.

Nearly 2000 new homes - hundreds priced in the affordable range for first-home buyers - are set to be built in Auckland's western fringe.

As the World Class Auckland series draws to a close we take a look at a blueprint of what it would take to elevate the Super City to the top.

A Fire Service spokeswoman said when crews arrived at the scene at 7.10pm there was no evidence of fire.

Auckland community upset at lack of details about a convicted child sex offender they have been told is to be released into their neighbourhood.

A Herald poll has found readers are overwhelmingly in support of a West Auckland Nando's restaurant for not letting people bring their own food to eat there.

An 8-year-old boy kicked and screamed as he fought off a stranger's tight grip on his wrist in an attempted daylight abduction.

The 13 year-old girl suffered scratches to her face and arm and a sore neck during the incident in West Auckland yesterday.

The North Western Motorway will be closed from 10pm tonight while NZTA carry out highway improvement work.

One airgun was seized at the scene and a woman was taken to hospital by ambulance with minor head injuries.

The head of the company which employed a young Indian security guard who was killed on his first night at work has given evidence at a Coroner's inquest.

Two people were taken to hospital in a critical condition after a crash on Swanson Road in West Auckland early this morning.

The school under fire for bribing its kids with takeaways says it never served fried chicken - only pizza.

Trial for the man accused of murdering Connor Morris will begin a year to the day 26-year-old died.

Auckland Transport is warning passengers of potential bedding-in glitches after it replaces diesel trains this morning with electrics.

A nutritionist has dubbed a 3km stretch of road featuring more than 30 fast-food options "Heart Attack Alley".

A woman whose house was smashed by a suspected stolen vehicle is thankful her baby daughter wasn't hurt.

Police say the incident escalated rapidly with a variety of weapons - including bats, a machete and a rifle - being used.