Latest from West Auckland

Police pay their respects to Carmen
A canvas grid hidden in dense bush marks the spot from which police removed the dismembered remains of Carmen Thomas last night. Officers who recovered her body are being offered trauma counselling.

Childcare centre fire brought down, asbestos found
About 45 firefighters battled a "major" blaze at a childcare centre in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn.

Carmen's body removed from bush
The remains of Carmen Thomas have been removed from a crude grave in dense bush in the Waitakere Ranges.

'Miracle survivor' Rongo beats bus
The bus hit Rongo with such force the windscreen smashed, before he was dragged about 15m.

Carmen's body found in Waitakere Ranges
Murdered mother Carmen Thomas has been found in one of several concrete containers partially buried in the Waitakere Ranges.

Carmen Thomas' body found in west Auckland
The dismembered remains of murdered mother Carmen Thomas have been found buried in bush in the Waitakere Ranges.

Karekare: Walking in the wild west
Get the kids off the couch these holidays and explore Auckland's west coast on foot. Diana Clement checks out the tracks around Karekare.

Fashion conscience
Zero-waste design is a means of creating clothes that minimises fabric disposal. At the forefront of this move is Holly McQuillan. Viva finds out more.

Carter back at work and back in firing line
Now that Chris Carter is well enough to be back at work at Parliament, the Labour organisation is making plans for him to front up and explain his actions and face possible expulsion from the party.

Carter: 'I'm still a Labour MP'
Te Atatu MP Chris Carter has returned to Parliament and says he still considers himself a Labour MP, despite leader Phil Goff saying he has been expelled from the caucus.

<i>Takahe</i>, Titirangi
We walked in and immediately thought the decor matches the bush location and namesake, with lots of wooden fittings and takahe birds dotted about the place.

Five of the best: Mini golf courses
For a compact round of golf with the kids, complete with novelty fun factor.

Property Report: So you want to live in... Titirangi
It’s a fairly laid-back sort of place, says Ashley Campbell.

PM: 'Racism' remarks just humour
Maurice Williamson's comments that opponents of land sales to foreigners were sometimes being racist was a case of humour backfiring, John Key said today.

Outrage over ex-cop's welcome
A citizenship speech by Waitakere City councillor Ross Dallow - father of TV One newsreader Simon Dallow - has outraged a new New Zealander.