Live stream: Jacinda Ardern fronts media in Auckland to answer questions on the important issues of the day

'Unacceptable': Children's Commissioner says child poverty progress has stalled

Almost 170,000 children are now living in material hardship nationwide.

Free parking to be trialled in major city centre from next month

"Creating a vibrant, successful and busy city centre remains a priority for this council."

Call for ministers to stop 'derogatory' rhetoric against councils

"We are in this together and those sorts of comments, while we embrace change, must stop," Northland Regional Council chairperson Pita Tipene said.

Gang members now officially outnumber police officers

While the police have struggled to recruit 500 new officers, gang numbers have continued to swell – an increase of 13% since the last General Election.