Senior police believed Sydney cafe hostages were "jovial" and didn't think gunman was preparing to kill them

Malaysian student who splurged nearly $5million in less than a year after mistakenly receiving an unlimited overdraft says she thought the money came from her parents.

For some reason, returning to Auckland after a holiday away always puts me in a particularly septic mood.

A bloody war between rival gangs is set to explode after the execution of an underworld figure at a Sydney shopping centre.

Moments before shots rang out at a Sydney shopping centre yesterday, a man rushed into a shop inside screaming, "There's not enough f***ing time."

One person is reportedly dead and two others are injured after a shooting at a major shopping centre in Sydney.

A 21-year-old needed hospital treatment after being bitten on the penis by a redback spider while sitting on the toilet in Sydney.

Whether the club scene's your thing, or you'd prefer a night out at the Sydney Opera House, Vivid has it all.

Auckland's runaway house prices have made an average home in the city more expensive than Sydney.

Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach was ripped to shreds by an Aussie radio host this morning - here are some other beaches to visit instead.

The little grey whale surfaces about 100m from our boat and blows out a waterspout before playfully diving again.

Artists take centre stage in Sydney's 20th Biennale, finds Eli Orzessek.

Keith Collins and Jovi Pilapil were two single parents looking for another chance at love when they were attacked in a busy Sydney restaurant.

The divide between Melbourne and Sydney is a bit like that of Wellington and Auckland.

Stay at the Ovolo Hotel in the former wool store-cum-Naval building on Finger Wharf (Russell Crowe owns an apartment at the end).

You're right in the heart of the CBD. Opposite is the iconic Queen Victoria Building - boutique shopping, Romanesque arches.

Sydney features some of the most incredible culinary experiences and jaw-dropping views in Australia. Why not enjoy both at the same time when you visit?

An dad has slammed Jetstar for charging $436 for flights after his 7-year-old daughter was stung by a venomous fish.

Australia's newest piece of criminal legislation is among the toughest in the world. The target: cyclists.

Once a year, Sydney plays host to a hedonistic celebration of diversity.

More than 150 passengers and crew sick on board cruise ship docked in Sydney.

Police have no idea why a man, who was shot dead inside a police station in Sydney, walked into the premises and allegedly started threatening officers.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly posting threats to social media which triggered an evacuation of the Sydney Opera House precinct.

One man was killed, buildings destroyed and tens of thousands of homes were without power after a violent thunderstorm tore through Sydney.

Sydney police are searching for the man who made an anonymous payphone call to report the alleyway bashing of a New Zealand man who later died of his injuries.

A 1.8 metre shark jumped on a local surfer's board at Bondi Beach this morning, before swimming off under another surfer.

The NSW State Coroner has spoken of the impact the Sydney siege still has on those affected one year on.

Two men have been arrested after anti-Islam and anti-racism activists converged on Sydney's Cronulla beach, surrounded by huge numbers of police.

Police responding to calls of a domestic violence incident arrive to find an unexpected victim - a spider.

More than 60 New Zealanders are being held at a Sydney detention centre that Labour leader Andrew Little is visiting today.