Fine wine, great food, pretty cycle trails ... Mangere has it all, finds Catherine Smith.

The distraught survivor of a fishing tragedy spoke last night of desperately trying to keep his brother-in-law's head above water before losing his grip and watching him drown.

Rafael Caso, creative account manager, and Karen Caso, hard-working mum, reckon they're lucky to live in Mangere Bridge, Auckland's best-kept-secret suburb. They tell James Russell why.

Diana Clement heads to Mangere Bridge for a day of cycling and fresh air in a lovely rural-type setting.