Features on Stuff.co.nz - auckland

Features

Hospital ship on Mercy mission

Seeing a child smile properly for the first time keeps Liz Irwin coming back to help on Mercy ships.

Mock fire but it's taken seriously

Firefighters from across the Shore raced to put out a major school science block fire.

Home on the buffalo range

When Helen Dorresteyn sees the expression on someone's face after tasting a spoonful of buffalo yoghurt she knows the risk she took is paying off.

Waiheke's battle with synthetic drugs

Kronic and other legal synthetic cannabis substances are available at several retailers on the island with one of them even saying it is one of his best selling products.

Vital St John service full of drama

St John Week starts next Monday to raise funds for vital ambulance services which cater for 90 percent of Kiwis. Reporter Rhiannon Horrell spent time with service staff to get a glimpse of what the charity does.

Photography event back on the road

Auckland photography fans will have a chance to whip around nine exhibition openings in one hit next Tuesday.

Saint statue still missing from church

One of the oldest surviving Catholic churches in the country is celebrating its 150th anniversary – without the statue of its patron saint.

Help from Guardian Angel

This time last year a mother of five was almost at her wits end.

Furious filmmaking

Lifeas a penniless graduate living under a desk in a London office seems a lifetime ago for Yamin Tun.

Rock solid gem of a club

There is something special about cutting a rock open for the first time.

Nicola delights in being a princess for a day

Kate Middleton lookalike Nicola Simpson got to be princess for a day when she modelled a royal replica.

A child @Heart

MELISSA KINEALY - © Fairfax NZ News

Merapi Uangakore looks like a little princess – pretty blue eyes, long dark hair.

Breathless views await breathless firemen

It's not for the faint-hearted that's for sure.

The royals of the butterflies

She's had a fascination with monarch butterflies from a young age.

Pottery show reveals a resurgent art

Nervous artists will be putting the finishing touches to their work this week before the Titirangi Potters Club opens its 16th annual exhibition.

Isolated saddlebacks sing their own songs

If you'd never heard a broad Scottish accent you could be forgiven for having a hard time understanding it.

Hollywood a class act

A generation of kids recreated history in ambitious film projects as part of their education during the 1970s.

Charlie Brown comes to life

Supersized props that make actors look teeny-tiny are helping recreate a favourite cartoon and comic strip on the stage.

Ultimate celebration is a double fundraiser

Calling all business people. Here's your chance to treat your clients and staff to an evening they won't forget.

War, tragedy and tomatoes: A veteran's life

William Armanasco enjoyed growing tomatoes in Blockhouse Bay after surviving World War One.

A splashing display of graffiti art

Graffiti artist Bobby Hung likes the fact his work isn't confined to a gallery.

Historic Auckland hotel on the move

Engineers have successfully moved Auckland's historic Birdcage hotel more than 24 metres back towards its final site.

Quake man's slip fear

He was right about the devastating effects an earthquake would have on Christchurch and now Grant Dixon says Glenvar Rd is a disaster waiting to happen.

Neigh to moving out

CATHERINE HEALY - © Fairfax NZ News

It's rare for horses to attend a council meeting.

Town hall the bee's knees

A buzz is in the air around the Auckland Town Hall mayoral offices – and it isn't about politics.

Bullying focus of Pink Shirt Day

It's Pink Shirt Day on Thursday and the Mental Health Foundation is calling on all New Zealanders to join with them in wearing pink and writing to Prime Minister John Key to share their personal stories around bullying.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

DENISE PIPER - © Fairfax NZ News

A 12-year-old girl has shaved off her beautiful shoulder-length hair to help raise money for kids with cancer.

Bob plunges into new job

Auckland Stuff reporters Jess Etheridge and Justin Latif caught up with Bob Harvey and Andrew Williams to find out what they have been doing since they left public office.

Williams swaps mayoral chains for fishing line

Auckland Stuff reporters Jess Etheridge and Justin Latif caught up with Bob Harvey and Andrew Williams to find out what two of Auckland's ex-mayors have been doing since they left their jobs.

Boxing for quake victims

Michael Goudie is swapping his suit and tie for boxing trunks to raise money for victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Tongan film explores lost culture

The message behind Tony Fuemana's first feature film is one that youth throughout the Pacific Islands will recognise.

Mt Eden prison hailed as 'fantastic facility'

Mt Eden's newest accommodation facility - where each room has a concrete bed, a reading light, a shower and a basin - still smells of fresh paint.

Firefighters test skills

Firefighters became fire bugs when they torched a house instead of rushing to save it.

Copter service expands

The purchase of a third emergency helicopter for Northland operations could save Kaipara lives.

SPCA extends discount offer

It's never been cheaper to buy a cat from the Bay of Islands SPCA.

Centre of attention

Eight Kaikohe East School pupils with disabilities and learning difficulties now have a reason to feel extra-special.

School celebrates talents of autistic people

Gulf Harbour School staff and students whole-heartedly embraced World Autism Day by having a mufti day and a special presentation last Friday.

Save our church

St Michael and All Angels in Bayswater should be repaired not closed, a Shore politician says.

Murals make history

Looking back into the past has been made easier.

Breakers winding up to semis

OPINION: We are about to enter a funny stage of the season, we are calling it our "play-off pre-season" with a week off this week before our final two games in the regular season and then of course the play-offs begin.