An 18-year-old German tourist has died after slipping and falling at a scenic waterfall on Auckland's west coast.

Driver toots horn to help emergency services locate them after car plunges off road to Piha.

Heavy downpours are keeping North Island fire crews busy tonight, with reports coming in of residents climbing to higher ground to escape flooding in the Coromandel.

The vehicles collided at the intersection of Swanson Rd and Metcalfe Rd, Swanson, about 1.45pm.

A building has been severely damaged in a fire at a West Auckland beach this morning, with fire crews rushing to the scene at 9.46am.

Firefighters have rescued a baby who was trapped under a deck in West Auckland this afternoon.

The Fire Service is attending a large house fire in West Auckland.

Two-parent Maori families have more supportive friends and family than any other New Zealanders, research has found.

A pedestrian is in a serious condition after being hit by a car in Henderson in west Auckland this afternoon.

The Mondalas were left feeling blessed after their names were drawn out of a housing ballot today, giving them the chance to buy a new house in Auckland.

Lush, green and very secluded, West Auckland is home to satisfying short walks right on the city's doorstep, writes Joelle Thomson.

A 23-year-old man will appear in court tomorrow after another man was stabbed at a property in West Auckland late this afternoon.

Witnesses said officers had arrived at the Mt Albert Superette around 7pm and had now taped it off, sparking concerns of a robbery.

The teenager found guilty of killing a West Auckland shopkeeper will have his name hidden from the public permanently.

The Fire Service is trying to contain to an ammonia leak in West Auckland

A man is under police guard at North Shore Hospital and a woman in custody after officers were shot at three times in a four-minute chase in west Auckland overnight.

Firefighters have managed to successfully contain a large fire in the Auckland suburb of Glendene.

Auckland's first cinema has been sold but will continue showing movies.

A 10-year-old boy sent to his room to practise his times tables accidentally started a fatal house fire by playing with a lighter.

Fire that claimed the life of respected member of the Tuvaluan community in West Auckland is believed to have been caused by children playing with a lighter.

An investigation into a house fire in Ranui last night is centred around a bedroom where a cigarette lighter was found.

Bikes worth almost $160,000 taken from West Auckland warehouse in a heist that could have taken up to six hours.

A man who died at a West Auckland house fire last night was trying to rescue children from the blaze.

An Auckland firefighter who has been to "thousands" of call-outs has found out in the worst way possible what it's like to be on the other end of the emergency.

An Auckland kindergarten has devised an out of the box way to raise funds for its new playground.

West Auckland couple who had sentimental baby gear stolen out of their car on the North Shore earlier this week say: "We have been blessed by many very kind Kiwis".

West Auckland couple Gareth and Belcy Hayter, excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first child, have had two bags of baby gear stolen from their car.