Serafin Bueno believed the Auckland Super City's boast of being a "business-friendly, can-do council" when deciding to open a cafe in Mt Eden's dining and bar precinct - three blocks from Rugby World Cup 2011 venue Eden Park.

Crime statistics released today show a 9.2 per cent increase in violent offending over the past 12 months.

Police have said today they support proposals to increase the minimum drinking age and close bars earlier.

A bottle store has opened next to the Newmarket Railway Station despite objections from residents of nearby apartments.

Alcohol is too cheap and too prevalent in NZ, the Law Commission says.