Mecca Cosmetica has become the New Zealand stockists of Diptyque, the cult French candlemaker.

The Laneway festival has a lineup that will ensure a dreamy, then magical, then devastatingly angular musical experience.

She belies the conceit that readers only want primary characters who are likeable.

The weather isn't always a headline maker but it certainly affects us more than many of the news stories that we read about each day.

The French are the experts when it comes to all aspects of culture. Julie Harries explores Auckland's Gallic connections in a quest to gain some quintessential French style and attitude.

Why is there is no seriously upscale Spanish restaurant in this city?

The wild weather bomb that hit the 10th New Zealand Fashion Week made everyone feel a bit drippy. At times the front row resembled a row of sodden crows on a wire, as fabulous baubles and sexy shoes were abandoned in favour of warm clothes.

Actress turned director Sophie Roberts lets Viva in on her style secrets.

The teenager who supplied alcohol to James Webster, who died after a night of binge drinking, is refusing to say where he got the alcohol.

Alcohol-poisoning victim James Webster's father says his son's death would have been avoided if he'd known the risk he was taking.

Get ready to be entertained by some Japanese culinary theatrics.

A gastro bar's good looks and ambience can’t quite hide its food flaws, writes Phoebe Falconer.

After his son admitted encouraging James Webster to drink, a tearful John Banks accepted responsibility for the boy's actions 'because that's what a father should do'.

Auckland Zoo has been given the go-ahead to a $13m proposal to bring in a herd of up to 10 Asian elephants, and expand into Western Springs park.