Hidden cash prizes and treasure hunts could soon become a regular fixture in Auckland.

Chilly Auckland weather added to the team atmosphere for a group of young rugby players at Takapuna Beach at the weekend.

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.

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.

Paul Bloxham, who dubbed NZ 'the rock star economy', is sticking to his guns. He said the NZ economy was still powering ahead and was likely to outstrip other members in the OECD.

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.

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

Where was every All Black born? This Herald interactive graphic details the birth place of every Kiwi to have worn the silver fern.

Just think about all those hours you've wasted waiting at airports, says Simon Calder.

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.

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."

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.

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.

One of the rarest and best-loved whales in the world has been spotted off the coast of Australia, in what is believed to be the first sighting of the year.

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.