Eighteen per cent of GP clinics closed their books to new patients

Almost all of New Zealand has had a "hotspot" feeling to it this year, but one part of Auckland is about to boom with 254 per cent growth.

New Zealand is growing at the fastest rate since the 1970s with the population expanding by 2.1 per cent a year. Tristram Clayton talks to NZ Herald property editor Anne Gibson for further information.

Auckland is falling off the pace in its natural tendency to produce disproportionately more economic output than the rest of the country.

COMMENT: It's often said that through our innovations in science, agriculture and medicine humans have become masters of our biological destiny.

There is an urgent need for "culturally appropriate" elder care, and an Indian trust says having ethnic wards at existing rest homes is the way to go.

Rising employment, low inflation and a recovery in the dairy sector point to robust economic growth.

Political Roundup: Will next year's general election be shaken up by rising populism?

Hospital admissions for intentional self-harm rose 4.6% from 2004 to 2013.

Experts say house crisis is driving us towards a tale of two Aucklands, where the only homeowners will be those who are left the family home by parents.

New Zealand's unemployment rate fell below 5 per cent for the first time since December 2008.

COMMENT: Two high-profile collapses from NZX-listed companies lately won't do wonders for the way bystanders perceive share investing.

Crime is on the up in New Zealand, with latest figures showing an increase in burglaries, assaults, abductions and sex offences over the last year.

Fast-growing councils, including Auckland, will be required to free up land for housing under a policy signed off by the Government today.

COMMENT: A look at this week's new population projections should give Phil Goff and his council a sobering reminder of the massive task ahead of them.

Auckland is bracing itself for an additional 700,000 people in the next 30 years.

New Zealand's population is predicted to hit 5 million in about 2020 and could reach this milestone sooner.

Bill English announced a bigger surplus than expected as a growing economy underpinned by population delivered a bigger tax take than anticipated.

An infestation of rats has hit Australia's biggest city, and it's human's fault. We created the conditions for them to thrive.

New Zealand's net migration rose in the year through August, returning to the record set in the June year.

As all the jobs and big-smoke buzz centres on Auckland, the regions are trying to find a way to carry on, writes Russell Blackstock.

COMMENT: NZ better than many, but future is clouded says visiting scholar

COMMENT: Every generation feels misunderstood by the generation that preceded it. At the moment it is the turn of Millennials.

Professor Stephen McGarvey talks about his recent breakthrough establishing a link between Samoan populations and obesity.

Booming migration and tourism arrivals set a new record - but economists say the net migration trend may be close to a peak.

The jobless rate has fallen to 5.1 per cent, says Statistics NZ.

More than 50 countries face the risk of a pension crisis as the number of people over the age of 65 exceeds the young.

Business leader Michael Barnett says New Zealand's immigration policy needs an overhaul.

New Zealand's sheep flock dropped 3 per cent to the lowest level since the 1930's Depression.

Booming migration extended its run of posting new records in June, though economists say it may have peaked.