KiwiRail has told Auckland Council the city's existing rail network needs costly upgrades - some described as urgent four months ago.

The Auckland Bus dispute is not any closer to reaching a settlement and likely to cause even more disruption to Auckland commuters over the days and weeks ahead, writes Richard Wagstaff.

ROLLING COVERAGE: Everything you need to know as Auckland hit by 24-hour bus strike.

For the first time, central and local government have partnered to work out the solutions to Auckland's transport issues.

Auckland has survived the first hurdle of today's bus strike, but people were angry when police stopped motorists using bus lanes.

Uber is telling users to brace themselves for surge-pricing tomorrow morning as demand soars from commuters stranded by cancelled buses.

Delays of 30 minutes or more are becoming frequent, partly due to roadworks in the central city.

Contractor ordered to fix botched Dunedin's new cycleway symbols after critics pan them for looking like "a primary school project".

The New Zealand First leader is demanding an explanation from the Education Minister.

The main drive was shifted on the back of a 48-axle, double-width trailer, pulled by three tractor units with another one behind to give it an extra push.

Some commuters at a major Auckland bus stop have already started noticing delays as bus drivers take industrial action and "work to rule".

Sarah Azam, media manager for the Transport Agency's Auckland and Northland regions, says the paint system is still providing effective protective coating to the structure.

Key's City Rail Link "dance of the seven veils" almost breached the R18 barrier when he performed at the recent Auckland Chamber of Commerce breakfast, writes Brian Rudman.

A bus strike will cause disruptions to several bus services in Auckland between 9am and 2.30pm tomorrow.

A lot of truckies phone talkback. They spend a lot of time on the roads and have only the radio for company, so they're a captive audience.

Tolls are not the answer to fund big transport projects in Auckland like the $2.5 billion city rail link, says mayoral candidate Mark Thomas and the Taxpayers' Union.

Mayor Brown right on the money with rail call but Govt let concerns over his leadership poison its decision-making.

The Government has not ruled out allowing Auckland Council to toll motorists to help fund the $2.5 billion City Rail Link.

A van carrying seven people rolled over a bank in a crash south of Charleston, near Westport.

Emergency workers are trying to free the driver of a truck which has "tipped over" on State Highway 1, just north of the Bryderwyn Range Hills in Northland.

Timelapse video covering the entire length of the $250 million Cambridge Section of the Waikato Expressway. Source: YouTube.com/Anotherdaywithbandj

Auckland's importance to the national economy was stressed today by PM John Key and senior Cabinet Ministers.

Prime Minister John Key delivers his eighth state of the nation speech as Prime Minister. Read his full speech.

John Key outlines plan to make an early start on the main works of Auckland's $2.5b city rail link. But Andrew Little says the commitment should have come long ago.

A shortage of truck drivers is causing disruption to productivity and efficiency of many businesses.

11 permits refused in the past months alone due to sex offences, but agency says most of those new applicants.

It took only three hours after my holiday for me to realise what's going wrong on our roads. We're jealous drivers, writes Heather.