The right to camp out by the beach and sleep to the sound of the surf is being banned in one of the North Island's top holiday spots.

Councils are staring at an estimated $6 billion legal bill to fix the country's leaky homes - with the crushing debt falling on ratepayers.

Wanganui's mayor said Pita Sharples did not understand "any culture that is not Maori", after the Maori Party co-leader called for Wanganui residents to accept its new name.

More schools hit by leaky building syndrome and Mt Albert Aquatic Centre faces $1m repairs. See the list of Auckland schools.

Mayor Michael Laws calls the decision to include an 'H' in Wanganui "a grievance and a wrong ...perpetrated on the great majority of the people of Wanganui".

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws remains confident the Government will reverse the Geographic Boards' decision to insert the letter H in Wanganui.

Parliament passes legislation setting up Auckland's new "Super City" council by a vote of 64 to 58.

The head of the Department of Conservation said rat poison drops on two Hauraki Gulf islands should be delayed over public concerns.

Ngati Whatua says there is enough support for Maori Super City seats within the National Party to warrant a conscience vote.

Heart of the City says public money helping prop up Auckland's port could equate to the cost of an iconic building on Queen's Wharf.