Elisabeth Easther, paddle in hand, checked out Waitawa Bay, Auckland's newest regional park.

We've rounded up some interesting facts about Auckland's lovely parks.

Two people were rescued after their boat caught fire in the Hauraki Gulf this morning.

A ranking of 800 international universities by discipline has placed five New Zealand universities in its top 50.

An online tracker to follow the steady progress of New Zealand's biggest dig is about to be revealed.

A norovirus case at Auckland's Baradene College has prompted a warning to parents, but the school says no further cases have been reported.

Affordable housing will be impossible in 85 per cent of Auckland if new planning rules come into force.

Labour is promising to join forces with Auckland Mayor Len Brown and make an immediate start on the $2.86 billion rail link if it wins this year's general election.

Auckland's favourite Chinese festival is celebrated this weekend around the city.

A temporary headquarters has been set up to manage massive crowds expected in Auckland this weekend for the NRL Auckland Nines, Rapture and the Lantern Festival.

Relaxation is what a Waiheke Island escape is for, writes Elisabeth Easther.

A resident in Paritai Drive, Orakei, "received a fright" when a burning flare landed in his garden, filling it with an intense red flame and smoke.

Dressed in expensive suits and designer frocks, they make a beeline for Britomart bars like Tyler Street Garage and 1885.

A man will appear in court this morning charged in connection with a central Auckland bar fight that left a 25-year-old man fighting for his life in hospital.

Billionaire developers behind a new five-star Viaduct hotel jetted into Auckland this week for confidential, last-minute negotiations.

All the action from Auckland Anniversary Day's annual regatta.

He's one of Auckland's best-known street musicians - but he's been silenced by the theft of his $3800 guitar taken from the back of his car.

The noise from major construction is upsetting patients at Auckland City Hospital, who are being offered earplugs to block out the banging and crashing.

This year presents exciting possibilities to deliver on the goals of the Auckland Plan, writes Auckland's Mayor Len Brown.

Symonds St is a nasty place for cyclists. It should have "cyclists not welcome" signs.

Auckland tops a survey of 44 countries - but not in a good way. It costs $228 to buy items you'd pay $62 for in Bali.

A fire lit in the early hours of this morning has damaged part of Auckland's St Mary's church.

Donna McIntyre flies over Auckland in an old-school seaplane.

A man has fallen to his death from a central Auckland building today. The man's body was found on Durham St, between Albert and Queen streets, shortly after 11.30am.

A cat caused a stir after being stuck in a central Auckland building shaft for four days.