The Government is negotiating with SkyCity to build the country's largest convention centre in Auckland in exchange for changes to gambling regulations.

The chances of test cricket returning to Auckland on a regular basis any time soon are slim.

Dunedin police say they are not trying to stop Rugby World Cup fans from enjoying themselves at games at the Forsyth Barr stadium, but say Mexican waves which sweep around crowded grounds can lead to problems that can get out of hand.

With just over two weeks until New Zealand Music Month, organisers are getting excited about a string of events with more high-flying stunts than ever.

Auckland ratepayers are facing a multimillion-dollar bill for gaining two quarter-final Rugby World Cup matches at Eden Park and a likely pool match from quake-damaged AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

An Emerald City might have kicked off Laneway in the sun this week but the Auckland band has been holed up in a Berlin studio working on their latest slab of instrumental art-rock. Cathrin Schaer reports.

More security staff and higher police visibility are among changes to be made at Eden Park when the it next holds a major event.

Irish band U2 have apologised for a practice that was heard in the suburbs surrounding Mt Smart Stadium, where the first of two NZ concerts will be played tonight.

U2 has landed - and wasted no time in tweeting about the New Zealand experience.

Rowing NZ are eager to make further use of their world-class facility at Lake Karapiro. But they will need to be patient.

Rugby World Cup fans at Eden Park will drink beer from cans and plastic bottles instead of plastic cups - to save money.

Rugby World Cup organisers are vowing to beef up security and police presence at next year's tournament, to prevent a recurrence of the mayhem at Eden Park at the weekend.