A large factory destroyed by fire yesterday could have been saved had sprinklers been installed, says a fire safety officer.

Fire crews have put out a "huge" blaze that destroyed a tofu factory in the south Auckland suburb of Papakura this afternoon.

Catherine Smith looks at the best free and family shows on offer during the two major arts festivals showcasing Auckland City this month.

The Ombudsman has launched an investigation into whether an Auckland councillor knew she already had another job when she received a redundancy payout of more than $200,000.

Terry Jenner feared the worst upon hearing of a suspicious fire in Papakura yesterday.

There are many events on offer, Auckland-wide, to have you feeling festive.

Teenagers in South Auckland are being sent to work as prostitutes by their parents to pay for drugs, says a councillor.

A son has given evidence against his own father, accused of the murder of a mother of four.

The slain Kahui twins' grandfather today admitted lying to police to protect his son Chris, an inquest into the twins' deaths has heard.

The Kahui twins' grandfather drove 50km to search for their mum when baby Cru stopped breathing, instead of taking him 4km to hospital, an inquest hears.

A trackside fire has shut down train services on Auckland's Southern and Eastern line between Otahuhu and Papakura.

A pig hunting father who vowed never to return to Wellington made an exception when he found out he was Lotto's latest multi-millionaire.

The first Auckland Council has been decided, and it has a centre-left look about it, which will make life easier for Super Mayor Len Brown.

Ezra Sitagata, 7, could 'pass and tackle like a pro' but he had to tell his team he had cancer.