More than 1000 people turned up at one of Auckland's famous west coast beaches to protest against deep sea oil drilling in New Zealand waters today.

A woman who fell 15 metres from Lion Rock at Piha yesterday was outside the safety barriers, emergency services say.

Catherine Smith looks at some of the new facilities and activities on offer in Auckland's regional parks.

Piha has much to offer besides Lion Rock and wild surf and, as it's only 40km from central Auckland, it’s an ideal location for a long weekend away, writes Rachel Grunwell.

Two men have drowned in the surf at Piha Beach and a third man rescued from the water is in a serious condition.

Gisborne's Jay Quinn claimed his third national surfing title yesterday, winning the open men's division of the 2013 Hyundai championships at Piha.

Danielle Wright traces a well-worn path to the Kitekite Falls, with a history lesson along the way.

Auckland Council has spent $12,300 on preparations to chop a limb off a pohutukawa tree that is obstructing a West Auckland footpath. But that money's now been wasted.

Don't let the cold weather keep you from the royal waves.

Photos from the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand champs - Final Round of the Surf Boat Series held at Piha on Saturday, February 25.

The police are laying their ghosts to rest with different methods and a fresh culture, report Catherine Masters and Jared Savage

Transition Towns - communities readying themselves for a post-petroleum world - are quietly popping up in New Zealand suburbs.

New images have emerged of the rip that a Piha surfing instructor took a group of teenagers into on Monday, sparking criticism from surf lifesavers at the west Auckland beach.

Stills from footage taken by a Piha local of 'extremely rough' conditions when a group of eight teens were taken into a rip by a surfing instructor.

Susan Edmunds takes to the water with a surf school - and manages to do without Piha Rescue.

Surf Life Saving NZ's Big Wave Classic held at Piha.

Gill South gets her moles checked by an Auckland expert dedicated to the cause.

Awhitu Lighthouse, on a beautiful peninsula on the south-western shores of the Manukau Harbour, has remarkable views of the coast.

At New Zealand's most famous surf beach - and the birthplace of modern surfing - an environmental battle is being fought on several fronts.