The Cancer Society is appealing to Auckland suburbs with the city's highest rates of smoking for help to press for a smokefree bylaw and possibly fines.

Everything is set up for a fantastic start to the Rugby Championship, writes Justin Marshall. The All Blacks will have a high level of internal motivation, with the world record test-win streak on the line.

As Angelina Jolie is honoured by the Queen, Julia Llewellyn Smith traces how the actress has channelled her former wildness into doing good.

The reinvented Wiggles had a bit of a wobbly start but they’re now as popular as ever, finds Bronwyn Sell.

With NZ's education system dropping in world rankings, is our curriculum keeping pace with a rapidly-changing world and do enough children have full access to new technology?

In possession of all the facts, people can then make up their own minds whether they choose to buy or not, writes Kerre McIvor. There is a moral imperative.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder - especially for the judges of 29 dogs vying to win the annual Sonoma-Marin Fair's Ugly Dog Contest.

Health reporter Martin Johnston hears the personal stories of a sperm donor, and a woman whose daughter was born through this method.

Serious health and safety issues including drug use and bullying plagued one of New Zealand's first charter schools as its management became dysfunctional.

The author faces backlash for sharing pictures of a rabbit she killed, skinned and cooked on Twitter.

The excitement around this year's World Cup in Brazil has been ratcheted up a notch now that we're in the second round of group matches.

A new $100 million tertiary campus opens in Manukau today - with backers hoping it will not just transform the central business district but also the area's study rates.

A tiny, almost untouched 100-year-old cottage with its original toilet and bath still under the house will likely sell for close to $1 million, despite needing a major renovation.

Most work days, you'll find Harry, Ziggy and Jed at their central Auckland office enjoying long naps on the couch or under their desks and later taking relieving afternoon strolls.

Makers of a local Chinese movie hope it will become a hit but it may have already broken the record of being the cheapest feature-length movie production here.

The right mix of weather conditions carried the effects of 500lb bomb explosions from north of Auckland, shaking homes and rattling eardrums in Devonport, 70km away.

Tom Sandford admits he has forgotten the details. Asked how he proposed to wife Carol 70 years ago, he pauses, before laughing heartily: "Oh, I can't remember."

Tamsyn Parker writes, "Kiwis seem to love buying rental property but I wonder how many people do their homework before they buy a property?"

Police have detained two men they believe bashed, robbed and dumped an unconscious Kiwi hiker in Poland.

Defending champions Spain have been knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages following a shocking 2-0 defeat to Chile in Rio de Janeiro this morning.

Politicians are as trustworthy as sex workers and Willie Apiata, VC, is - again - the most trusted of all Kiwis, according to an annual survey.

Sexually transmitted infections in the over-60s has soared in the last year, as experts claim the baby boom generation rarely use a condom.

Screaming fans, loud concerts and poached eggs on toast were all part of George Harrison's visit to New Zealand with the Beatles 50 years ago.

SPOILER WARNING: This year was slated to be the biggest and best season of Game of Thrones to date and it certainly lived up to it. Here are this season's best moments.

The 100-plus year war between butter and margarine has been a battle of cultural norms and of course, cash-rich marketing campaigns.

David Cunliffe is in deep political trouble. So deep that his resignation as Labour's leader may now be very much in order, writes John Armstrong.

Kanye West has admitted spending four days editing his wedding photo to get the flowers exactly right.

Game of Thrones fans have turned to Twitter to voice their disappointment at a major omission from Monday night's season finale.