Submissions from the Tamaki Community Board and Tamaki residents, ratepayers and community groups have successfully persuaded the Local Government Commission to form two separate, single-member, Auckland Council wards from the originally proposed two-member Orakei-Maungakiekie ward.

"Failure by the Local Government Commission to listen to the concerns being expressed by our community will mean greater inequality of outcomes and increased disaffection with local government - neither of which will create the successful and inclusive Auckland we need," says Labour MP Carol Beau

Sarah Stevens says she can remember the exact date at Diocesan School for Girls that she first thought of becoming a priest - but it took a decade for her to follow that calling.

12 June 2009 - As advised yesterday, the ABC Learning Centre in Kelvin Road, Meadowbank has been closed following confirmation that one of the children in our care has H1N1 or 'Swine Flu'.

New Zealand situation

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is now 27, up from 23 yesterday. The cumulative total of probable cases remains at 10.

An Auckland nurse and her child who returned to New Zealand from a family holiday in the UK, on 6 June on flight NZ1, have both tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1).

College president and Meadowbank GP Dr Jonathan Fox said today if a patient with flu-like symptoms turned up in a crowded waiting room, there was immediate risk the virus would spread.

If you are developing flu symptoms, phone your GP first, rather than just turn up to the general practice, says the College of GPs.

Police investigating a series of five bag snatches in the Eastern suburbs believe the same offender may be responsible for most, if not all, of them and is using a car stolen from Grey Lynn last Friday afternoon to get around in.