Report reveals homelessness in Auckland has doubled, but doesn't include rough sleepers in the suburbs.

The 10m fully decorated tree on the Caroline Bay piazza cost the council $107,000 and was destroyed last week.

Meat is "by far the biggest offender" when it comes to the increased cost of a Christmas meal, with classic options like steak or lamb considerably more expensive this year.

The savings in back-office and procurement functions would be re-invested into patient care.

Multiple ambulances responded to the incident in Gore.

Despite the ban on cell phone use at school, some children have found work arounds.

The disgraced former top cop was sentenced to nine months' home detention and does not need to register on the child sex offending registry.

Questions are being asked about the ethics of "sharenting" - parents sharing their children's lives on social media.

Lawyers are working with the ministry over how to notify them and possible compensation for the privacy breach.

Sneha Patel owned and operated several Hamilton- and Auckland-based businesses and has been ordered to pay the three victims $50,000 in reparation.

Police, paramedics and volunteers are concerned about the number of unsupervised young people who arrive with alcohol.

The company was also caught leaving fake reviews on its website and blocking negative feedback.

The family is complaining to Jetstar after not being told airport would close overnight.

The legal action is the latest twist in ongoing collective agreement negotiations.

The supermarket where a photo of former MP Golriz Ghahraman was leaked has been formally named and shamed by the Privacy Commissioner.

Some members of the public mistook the sword for a gun.

Michael Ian Mclean faces 33 charges, including performing indecent acts on a person under 16 and sexual violation.

It's possible the offender discarded clothing, weapons or other items while fleeing the scene, police say.