What do two Russian academics, a maverick Kiwi businessman, a London watering hole and a champagne-splattered napkin equal?

With holiday hotspot Waiheke experiencing a massive tourist surge, some tourists were left behind on the Auckland wharf today.

Competition between the Waiheke Island ferries is getting hotter, operator Explore claims it wins Government funding for free travel for pensioners.

The man who died in a tractor accident on Waiheke Island last Sunday was a dearly loved partner, brother, godfather, son, and uncle.

Visitors attracted to Waiheke Island for beaches, vineyard tours and restaurants are being urged to bring their walking shoes.

Two people on board suffered cuts and bruises after boat slams into Waiheke Island coastline.

Long faces are nowhere to be seen when trekking on Waiheke, discovers Pamela Wade.

Waiheke - The jewel of the Hauraki Gulf has been named as one of the world's best regions in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016, the publisher's annual summary of the travel trends for the upcoming year.

Fullers is investing $16 million to add two additional vessels to the Waiheke to Auckland route.

Auckland City Police have launched an investigation this afternoon after a member of the public made the discovery while walking near bush.

Jazz singer Briar Ross has upped the tempo in her long-running Waiheke property dispute with entrepreneur and former All Black Marc Ellis.

Mervin de Rozario will be farewelled tomorrow after his body was found in the water near Waiheke Island at the weekend.

Police have located a body floating in the water between Waiheke and Motuihe Islands.

Auckland is proud of its heritage, and the city is dotted with specialised museums, finds Sarah Ell.

Donna McIntyre masters the geek chic Segway for a fun spin around Waiheke Island.

A stunning new multi-million dollar house on Waiheke Island and a two-year Albany renovation have taken out the titles of Auckland's finest builds.

A Waiheke Island real estate agent has been faulted for giving a stranger keys to a holiday bach he was selling, without the property owner's knowledge.

Former All Black Marc Ellis’ neighbour has been charged after allegedly tearing down a wall and having rubble dumped on his Waiheke driveway.

Police have visited the Waiheke Island property of Marc Ellis this morning to take photos of rubble dumped on his driveway by a neighbour.

We've handpicked five of the best things to head to this weekend.

A young boy was flown to Starship Hospital after swallowing a one dollar coin.

A petition asking for the SuperGold Card scheme to be extended to Explore ferries to Waiheke has been tabled in Parliament.

A man has been taken to hospital after a hammer dropped from more than 3m onto his head.

Waiheke's biggest landowner has lost a challenge over the zoning on parts of its holdings on the island's eastern tip and on a nearby island.

The manager of PlaceMakers Waiheke has apologised after a crane was left parked in one of the store's disabled parks for two hours.

A marine reserve around Waiheke Island beaches could lead to the kind of crowding that occurs at Goat Island, residents opposed to the plan say.

Visiting German saxophonist Nicole Johaenntgen clearly doesn't have time for narrow-minded jazz purists.

Waiheke's biggest landowner is challenging zoning classifications on parts of its holdings on the island's eastern tip in the Stony Batter Historic Reserve war fortifications vicinity.

Waiheke Island is getting a large new Countdown to replace the existing small shop.