Latest fromAuckland Central
Tearful Banks' plea on teen drinking
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'.
<i>Squid Row Gastro Pub</i>, Grafton
A gastro bar's good looks and ambience can’t quite hide its food flaws, writes Phoebe Falconer.
City puts up $13m for elephants in the bush
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.
Mother must have hurt twins - Kahui
Chris Kahui has changed his mind about why he thinks his former partner Macsyna King caused the deaths of their twin boys, a coroner's inquest heard today.
Banks in tears at teen death inquest
Mayor John Banks has broken down in tears as he apologised for the actions of his son Alex, who encouraged alcohol-poisoning victim James Webster to drink.
James wanted to get really drunk, court told
James Webster wanted vodka and Jagermeister 'to get really drunk' and because his 'alcohol supply was low', a court has heard.
Kahui hung up when told to come to hospital, King tells inquest
Chris Kahui said "whatever" when Macsyna King asked him to come to the hospital to see their injured sons, an inquest has been told.
Martin Hill's favourite things
Environmental artist Martin Hill says he tends to get more pleasure from personal experiences than from tangible objects.
The Dish: Dutch flavour
New Herne Bay cafe Zus & Zo is dragging in the locals, but we think the secret should be shared.
Teen often passed out from drinking, inquest told
A teen who drank himself to death at a party earlier this year regularly passed out after drinking, an inquest into his death was told.
Kahui mother breaks down at inquest
The mother of the Kahui twins broke down in tears at an inquest today as she conceded that her evidence about how she came into hospital "does not match" that of a nurse.
Student died of alcohol poisoning, inquest told
A mother has told a court she knew teenager James Webster was dead as soon as she walked into the room where he had been put to bed.
Kahui mum surprised by accusations she killed her sons
Macsyna King maintains she never "hurt" or "beat" her twin sons, telling an inquest into their deaths "I did not cause them any injuries".
Student found guilty of murder
Peng Cheng Tian, 26, has been found guilty in the High Court in Auckland of stabbing a fellow student to death and putting her body in a suitcase.
Kahui inquest: Mother enrolled on anger course before deaths
The Kahui twins' mother was enrolled in an anger management course a month before they were fatally injured but never attended, an inquest into their deaths heard today.
Young brothers found
Two young brothers who went missing from their home overnight were found with a relative who had not called anyone, say police.
Close to home: Paddle to the pools
During Waimarino's new Thermal Hot Pool & Glow-worm Cave Kayak Tour, paddlers skirt the bushy shores of Lake Rotoiti before slipping into a cave where glow-worms twinkle all around.
World Cup homes pass $20k a week
Dozens of homeowners are asking more than $20k a week in rent for the RWC with at least one website threatening to remove some listings.
My Auckland: Grey Lynn
Galia BarHava-Monteith is an Israeli-born executive coach, consultant and co-founder of professional women's online networking website. She tells Gill South about their area.
Five of the best: Petting farms
If the kids are city slickers, get visit a local petting farm to get them in touch with some of New Zealand's favourite animals.
<i>Buenos Aires Restaurant</i>, Herne Bay
They don't do a standing cordero asado at Buenos Aires in Herne Bay, but they do the next best thing.