Taxi driver loses $200 after woman does runner with $437 on meter.

The annual battle for a spot on the bus has kicked off with commuters waiting in the rain for a bus with room and journeys taking up to 1.5 hours.

Fares on Auckland's public transport services are going up today.

Changes at end of month will make charges fairer leading into simpler zone system, says Auckland Transport.

Residents say they have been left disgusted, disappointed and frustrated and feel their arguments fell on deaf ears.

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.

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".

Auckland is expected to descend into chaos on Friday as drivers on 70 per cent of the city's bus services strike.

Bigger, heavier trucks and buses could soon be approved to use roads despite an admission from officials it could lead to more serious accidents.

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".

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.

John Key's intention to fast-track the $1.25 billion East-West Connection and make it a project of national significance has been welcomed by transport and infrastructure groups.

Business leaders have welcomed Prime Minister John Key's State of the Nation address - but one has indicated disappointment on the housing front.

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.