Life imitated art when actors from a popular TV series got together for a quiz night at an Auckland pub ahead of next month's final episode.

I'm on the couch this week. It's one of those faux-leather settees; bad for spinal alignment and I'm usually so tired I wake in the morning with a cushion zip imprinted on my cheek.

Singing skeleton puppets, free family workshops and historic swimming baths... Danielle Wright finds plenty to do on a city day out with her family.

A new report bragging about how cool and grown-up the ‘new’ Auckland is doesn’t even come close to imagining how great this city could be, writes Greg Dixon.

Auckland Council's desire to create "the world's most liveable city" is creating the world's most unaffordable city.

Up to 600 new apartments, townhouses and duplexes in 17 blocks, six to nine levels high, are planned in the now open areas around Wynyard Quarter.

Auckland Council yesterday granted its transport arm the power to raise prices at four inner city council-owned car parks.

Having a laugh at the expense of certain suburbs is a well-worn Auckland tradition, writes Shelley Bridgeman.

A man charged over a violent kidnapping and a daring escape from Auckland’s central police station will face trial.

Noise, vibration, trouble sleeping, turning a popular part of Auckland's waterfront and the busy Albert St into a construction site for years and pedestrian and vehicle disruption.

Penny Lewis gets a taste of the sort of luxury usually reserved for tourists.

A young man who helped his friend spray-paint swastikas and other graffiti on Jewish graves at a central Auckland cemetery has lost an appeal against his conviction.

The last services are being held at Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral today before a big construction project begins.

A big new Auckland office block, planned and developed during last decade's financial slump, last night picked up the Property Council's supreme award.

Prime Minister John Key continues to back John Banks as "an honest man" and says he still has "options" despite being found guilty of knowingly filing a false electoral return.

Self-styled public watchdogs Penny Bright and Graham McCready claimed their biggest scalp yesterday as Act MP John Banks was found guilty of electoral fraud.

Danielle Wright visits the National Youth Theatre Company at rehearsal.

Challenge Gerry Brownlee to sit in one of the downtown Customs St bus stops at peak hour and breathe deeply of the noxious fumes, writes Brian Rudman.

An Auckland real estate agent accused of posting pooh to a rival agent has pleaded not guilty.

The average number of monthly tickets for drivers using their phones has almost doubled since 2010, when the law was changed to make it illegal.

Is Auckland for sale? The question arises following a mystery development bid on Queens Wharf and a private plan for Queen Elizabeth Square.

Air quality in New Zealand has continued to improve over the past decade, but winter smoke from wood and coal burners is still seeing safety guidelines breached in some parts of the country.

First it was the Aotea Centre, then The Edge. Now the organisation is changing again. But can a new name and logo bring more big entertainment acts to Auckland?

Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson has said her staff have reported a rise in clients showing symptoms of solvent abuse.

High pollution readings indicate air at the bottom of Auckland's Queen St valley risks failing World Health Organisation standards designed to prevent respiratory and heart disease.

An alleged kidnapper who escaped police custody in Auckland has appeared in court this morning handcuffed and flanked by two police officers.