CityBeat - Te Waha Nui Online

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 Jane Sissons

“I love you, bubsie wubsie, sugar pie.”

Many would think this was the vocabulary of a two-year-old, but, unfortunately, it’s what many people in relationships call one another.

Why do we need to express our feelings for someone by inventing horrendously childish and embarrassing nicknames? 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 Melanie Smith

Saturday nights are considered by many to be the perfect opportunity to get dressed up, have a couple of drinks, catch up with good friends, and party away the troubles of the week.

Last Saturday night was one of those nights.

It had been ages since I’d been out, therefore I was ready to party, let my hair down, and have fun with my friends. 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

by Amy Williams

Sports fans will be able to watch the Pacific region’s sporting superstars, thanks to Maori TV.

Starting this week, Maori Television will broadcast daily highlights from the thirteenth South Pacific Games in Samoa.

The games, which are held every four years, include 33 sporting events contested by more than 4000 participants from 22 countries. Read more

by Vaughan Lovell

New Zealand has a new professional football (that’s soccer - the actual game using feet and a ball) team, the Wellington Phoenix.

A replacement to the ultimately woeful Auckland franchise, the New Zealand Knightz, Wellington Phoenix represent the last chance for New Zealand to enjoy and benefit from a professional team in a competitive league.

Plying their trade in the premier Australian Hyundai A League competition, the Phoenix began their new campaign on Sunday Read more

by Vaughan Lovell

Airbourne literally lit up the King’s Arms on Friday night, giving punters a hugely energetic show involving bar visits mid-set by frontman Joel O’Keefe.

His other party trick was scaling speakers stacked to the ceiling, whilst playing blistering solos.

In fact, it was the most energetic show I have ever seen performed at the King’s Arms Read more