One super city would take over the functions of nine councils in the lower North Island under a draft proposal by the Local Government Commission.

The Wellington Employers Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the news the city will get a new convention centre by 2017.

The Hataitai bus tunnel in central Wellington will be earthquake-strengthened over the next six months, causing some disruptions to off-peak bus services.

Wellington city councillors will vote next week on a new purpose-built convention centre and five-star hotel that will cost ratepayers $2m per year to lease.

Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson has said her staff have reported a rise in clients showing symptoms of solvent abuse.

Wellington City Council has admitted personal details of up to 120,000 people were inadvertently released by its parking contractor.

John Morrison used to dream of spending his retirement growing vegetables and catching fish.

Wellington's mayor is hopeful it will be business as normal tomorrow despite 35 buildings in the CBD found to have been externally damaged by yesterday's severe earthquake.

Scientists are deploying extra seismic instruments in Marlborough to enable more accurate measurement of the aftershocks off the coast of Seddon.

Wellington rail services have resumed following inspections for earthquake-related damage.

Prime Minister says he's yet to get a briefing on how much yesterday's quake might have cost, but, in principle, the country can afford another big one.

Dr John Key has blurted out loud what we've long suspected, Wellington is a terminal case, writes Brian Rudman. Incurable. "We don't know how to turn it around."

Can the winds of Wellington help the capital city to join Auckland and become a marine industry hub?