The Government says the ball has been dropped by the Auckland Council and other authorities in their planning for the Rugby World Cup, and as a result it is using special powers to take overall responsibility for the city's Cup...

Amazing aerial photos of Eden Park during opening night of the Rugby World Cup.

A violent hail and thunder storm has caused two car crashes and left the ground "white like snow" in Wellington. Police have said the storm after 1:30pm had been the catalyst for two crashes...

As I write, on Wednesday, The Grill has 1099 Facebook fans. It has done 160 covers, so at least 939 people are fans of a restaurant that they have not eaten at.

NZ Herald photographers' best photos from the Rugby World Cup opening weekend in Auckland.

For months, John Key and his Rugby World Cup party planner Murray McCully have been tweeting...

Earlier this week Danielle Wright road-tested the fan trail from Britomart to Eden Park that will run on game nights throughout the RWC 2011. She tells us what fans can expect to encounter along the way.

Wendy Doyle talks to Rebecca Kamm about her favourite spots in Campbells Bay, and why it's such a family-friendly suburb.

Fantastic Rugby World Cup opening ceremony, amazing fireworks... just don't mention the transport problems.

Why have one team, when you can have two? Danielle Wright finds adopting a team is adding to the excitement, as well as providing international visitors with a feeling of familiarity and somewhere to celebrate.

Auckland coast guard says despite a large number of vessels on the water last night, the evening was incident free.

Wellington's famous hunter-gatherer celebrity chef sets up an unusual eatery in Auckland's Sky City.

We'll remember 9/11, but we've also got the rugby and a brilliant city.

Photos of some of those attending New Zealand Fashion Week 2011, by Pip Smith.

Photos from the Kathryn Wilson show, which closed NZ Fashion Week 2011.

There is something definitely odd about Ponsonby Rd that confuses me.