So close to Auckland, and yet a world away, is a hotel tucked into an area of unsurpassed beauty. Nikki Birrell heads into the heart of the Waitakeres.

Colin McCahon's house reveals another side of Titirangi, says Liz Light.

A real estate agent was caught out on tape by a couple upset over his "unprofessional behaviour" when selling their home.

Designed to sit unobtrusively in its verdant surrounds, this charming character home is a nature-lover's delight.

Catherine Smith looks at the best free and family shows on offer during the two major arts festivals showcasing Auckland City this month.

Gorgeous views and simply delicious Italian fare are getting tongues wagging in the Waitakeres.

For a day of fresh air and fun, golf can't be beat. Graham Hepburn visits Auckland's courses.

The Chinese company that sparked a fierce national debate last year about foreign investment in farming is ploughing ahead with plans to export millions of cartons of UHT milk from New Zealand to China.

Boutique ice cream maker shows that customers are prepared to pay top dollar for quality products.

Wildlife, bush and nearby cafes make this a perfect spot for a private couple, writes Diana Clement.

Gill South tries out the gentle art of t'ai chi for total body relaxation.

Print illustrator Anna Crichton has translated her skills into ceramic art for a new exhibition, writes Catherine Smith.

Fabulously old-fashioned, galas are still an important date on the school calendar, writes Gill South.

We came here because my friend - a new mum - had the place recommended to her by members of her coffee group as a child-friendly cafe.

A canvas grid hidden in dense bush marks the spot from which police removed the dismembered remains of Carmen Thomas last night. Officers who recovered her body are being offered trauma counselling.

The remains of Carmen Thomas have been removed from a crude grave in dense bush in the Waitakere Ranges.

We walked in and immediately thought the decor matches the bush location and namesake, with lots of wooden fittings and takahe birds dotted about the place.

It’s a fairly laid-back sort of place, says Ashley Campbell.

Rose McIver is a rare talent: a child star emerging unscathed into adulthood - with a fan in Peter Jackson, no less. She tells Rebecca Barry about her grown-up new role, her desire for dysfunction and why she won't move to Hollywood.

Fewer children are being run over in Auckland driveways due to public awareness and education campaigns, but the message hasn't spread to Waikato, researchers say.

A newborn baby was killed in a tragic driveway accident that left a woman screaming "the baby is dead".

Will teen bride-to-be Sophie avoid the Shortland Street wedding curse?

The food at Takahe unfortunately doesn't live up to its spectacular backdrop.