CityBeat - Te Waha Nui Online

by Vy Wen

Six years after 9/11, the vision of the twin towers crumbling is still vivid in our minds.

A total of 2,740 Americans died on that fateful day.

Some 1,609 people lost a spouse or partner and more than 3,051 children lost their parents.

September 11, 2001 will always be a gloomy day in history for all of us. Read more

by Lydia BrewerThe ‘leaders’ of the world met in Sydney for the much anticipated Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit earlier this month.

Along with other important global issues, sustainability and climate change was on the agenda.

So, with the amount of carbon emissions being produced by Read more

by Veronica Johnston

Westfield opens its new $210 million 7ha mall in Albany this week.

The 142-shop mall will generate 1500 new retail jobs with 10 theatres, Farmers, K-Mart, New World and onsite parking for 2300 cars.

The new mall is just south of the North Harbour Stadium opposite Massey University. Read more

by Eloise Gibson

An Invercargill man is skateboarding across North America to raise awareness of a rare disease.

Rob Thomson will attempt the 6,500km journey next month to raise awareness of Lowe Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes physical and mental handicaps in boys.

The adventure will be nothing new for Mr Thomson, who has spent much of the past year cycling from Japan to Switzerland. Read more

by Andre Hueber

Auckland gets to elect a new mayor and council on October 13.

I quizzed some random strangers in Auckland’s Aotea square about which candiadte they would be voting for. The general response was pretty tepid.

It seems candidates have some work to do in order to raise their profiles and get their message across… Read more

by Elizabeth Allan

Would you rather have nice footpaths, or neat grass verges?

Or would you rather have both?

Auckland City is spending $30m on upgrading the pedestrian part of our streets this year, and Crummer Rd in Grey Lynn recently got a makeover as a result. Read more

by Grace Honney

Ever wondered why car insurance companies drop their exorbitant rates from the age of 25?

Obviously younger drivers have far less driving experience and this may attribute to their involvement in more crashes.

However, it could also be to do with the fact that your frontal lobe isn’t fully developed until you’re 25. Read more

by Sam Mickell

Kiwi icon Dave Dobbyn will perform for guests inside New Zealand’s giant rugby ball at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Dobbyn’s ballads have become so synonymous with kiwi culture he is regarded a living and breathing national treasure.

His melodies have charmed and inspired kiwi audiences for over 25 years Read more

by Charlotte Coyle

Latest news on the strange, quirky and just plain odd.

Missing German kangaroo finally captured

After a crippling chase through the German Alps, the missing kangaroo Skippi was returned to his home at a petting zoo in southern Germany on Monday. Read more

by Michel Sam Mathew

Lisa Prager can ramble away for hours if the topic is about Auckland city.

The former gay activist turned community campaigner has been through the thick and thin of big city politics for almost six years now.

However, it’s been just three months since she threw her hat in the ring and decided to compete in the race to be Auckland’s next Mayor. Read more