Auckland Region

Two teenagers have been charged after an aggravated burglary at an Auckland petrol station and burglary of a vape shop in Hamilton.

The man is facing charges over the kidnapping of a woman and use of a shotgun during an incident in Auckland on Tuesday night.

A large pile of flock - a term for waste generated from steel recycling - had caught fire.

Every available space is being used, including procedure and plastering rooms. Audio

Auckland Transport blamed a "Kiwirail track infrastructure issue" near the CBD's Britomart station.

Police say the victim, who was abducted in Beach Haven, is in hospital.

There's been an avalanche of demand for kai, but not enough money coming in to help. Audio

Police are on the hunt for a trio behind the attack, while a caregiver has told media in detail about what happened.

Locations included Quay Street in central Auckland, Westgate, Onehunga, the North Shore and as far south as Mangatāwhiri.

Police believe similar approaches have taken place in West Auckland over the past several months.

Police tracked the pair across Auckland and charged them with aggravated assault, unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, and failing to stop.

Seven teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, were arrested; six have been been referred to Youth Aid.

The 2016 plan allowed for intensification, which is helping keep housing and rental costs lower than they would otherwise be, an economist says.

Health officials are urging families to get vaccinated against the highly infectious disease, as two new cases emerge in Waikato.

Auckland police are investigating claims a man was assaulted outside the Destiny Church in Wiri.

Hundreds of illegal street racers caused mayhem across Auckland overnight, driving dangerously and fleeing from police.

Holiday traffic and road works are causing congestion in west Auckland, with several bus routes affected, Auckland Transport says.

A report of drinks being thrown off a balcony escalated into a large brawl, with multiple injuries.

The future of where a national stadium might be built in Auckland should become clearer at the end of April. Video

Jon Low, known better by his customers and fans as Patchy, wants to build his coffee concept into "an empire to compete with Starbucks".