Stories by Finn Blackwell

The boat skipper who helped rescue a man who had been stranded at sea for nearly 24 hours says it was a case of right place, right time.

A greater police presence in the central city and a stronger pipeline for events are among the things Heart of the City's chief executive wants to see in 2024.

Tourism providers in the Bay of Plenty are prepping for their busiest cruise season since the pandemic.

A patchwork of warm and cool waters could bring a strange and interesting species to our shores.

Aucklanders who have spent the year dealing with storm-affected homes are getting some relief, as the first of the council property buyouts get underway.

Mayor Wayne Brown says he's hoping councillors will think rationally when it comes to implementing the long term plan next year.

Auckland Council says it has applied "extreme prudence" to it's hiring process over the last few years, despite spending $7.4 million on recruitment over the past 12 months.

A Waikato bakery is one of the latest to fall victim to counterfeit money amid a series of cases in the area.

Councillors spent the day picking apart the mayor's proposal, going section by section to question council staff on what Wayne Brown has set out for the 10-year plan.

Auckland Council is meeting today to go over the first proposal for its 10-year budget, which features a slew of rates rises and some controversial changes for the city.

The boss of Auckland's long-anticipated underground rail network is giving no guarantee it will hit its opening deadline of 2026. Audio

Wayne Brown has made his case for how the city could work. But he says it can only be successful with the help of law changes by the government.

Auckland's mayor says his plan to lease council assets to pay for the rising costs of running the city is not asset stripping.

A Whangaparāoa man watched the famous golden arches at a local McDonald's burst into flames late last night.

Under the new coalition government, landlords may soon be able to evict tenants without providing a reason.

A chaotic day at council has provided little clarity of what the future has in store for the city's Downtown Carpark.

Auckland Council's Transport and Infrastructure Committee has voted 18 to two in favour of setting up a team to oversee the implementation of the 'time of use' charges.

Explainer - Auckland mayor Wayne Brown wants the port's land freed up for the public, but the port argues it can deliver $1 million a week back to Aucklanders if it stays put.

It's a plan for how the city is expected to grow over the next 30 years - and recommends building most new housing in existing suburbs instead of undeveloped land.

The Majestic Princess, which has sailed from the American Samoa capital Pago Pago has been sheltering off Rangitoto Island since 6am on Monday.

People who travel between Auckland and Waiheke Island are celebrating promised savings, with a new ferry operator making waves in the Hauraki Gulf. Audio

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown reflects on a year marked by floods, budgetary strife and infrastructure woes.

Auckland's local boards could be set for their first major overhaul in 13 years after a proposal from the city's mayor.

Auckland businesses in Parnell say they're counting on Watercare's promise to have an emergency sewer repair in place by next week.

Representatives from diverse communities across Auckland have spoken with the city's council this morning, presenting the governing body with their strategic priorities for the future.