Auckland's parking space has become even more crowded with at least three internet start-ups competing to become the "Uber for parking" in New Zealand's most congested city.

Traffic is still heavy from the city to Mt Wellington, the NZTA tweeted. There are also delays west of the city.

Multiple callers to the Herald reported seeing officers armed with guns in the Lorne St/Albert Park area this afternoon.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has been dobbed in after his chauffeur-driven car was spotted parked in a loading zone.

Mark Ivil, who was found in a "bad way", following the toxic fume scare at an Auckland hotel, was accused of fleecing more than $4.2m from a number of people.

About 30 people were arrested, 20 failed breath-alcohol tests and six stolen cars were found during a police blitz in Auckland city this weekend.

One person was trapped in a lift after a transformer caught fire outside Eden Park today.

Debris littered a suburban St Heliers road this morning after a car crashed into a parked vehicle.

A special police operation targeting crime in central Auckland this weekend has netted 10 drink drivers in its first 24 hours.

An ordinary Sunday walk turned into a wildlife show for one Auckland family who chanced upon a sunbathing seal today.

More than 40 people marched from Aotea Square to Auckland Council headquarters to protest rates rises.

Aucklanders keeping abreast of developments on the city's skyline reckon a new $50 million waterfront silo has a rather suggestive design.

A $100 million office block is planned behind the Britomart Transport Centre, which could be expanded.

New Zealand Rugby has unveiled plans for a high-tech All Blacks-themed tourist attraction in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter. To be built on a prime site, The All Blacks Experience attraction will open in 2017.

A controversial new $50 million dome-shaped silo for storing cement has been inflated on Auckland's waterfront.

I'd like to see the Conservation Minister visit the sub-Antarctic region, perhaps for her Christmas holidays, writes Paul Charman.

An outspoken economist says it's wrong to have land tied up when there's a shortage for residential development.

Forget the hikoi and library training, the answer the council needs is in Utah - and it's quite straightforward, writes Brian Rudman.

Albert-Eden Local Board decides to develop plan which could reduce the size of the golf course in order to create sports fields.

Two of the biggest events on the Auckland calendar, the Lantern Festival and Laneway Festival, could move to the Domain.

Young man fatally shot by police last night was a junior kickboxing champion.

Auckland's Viaduct Harbour has finally got some green space with a $1.2 million makeover of Waitemata Plaza.

A chopper flight gives photographer Mark Meredith an inspiring new perspective of the City of Sails.

Three people were injured after a crash in south Auckland early this morning.

Auckland is undergoing one of the most rapid transformations in its history, says a leading architect.

From seaplanes to DC3s to stunt planes, Sarah Ell finds myriad ways to see Auckland from the skies.

The street of restaurants is already famous, it doesn't need to be tagged with an inaccurate brand, writes Brian Rudman.

Faulty software has been blamed for a pay machine in Auckland's Downtown parking building gobbling up a motorist's $50 note and leaving her with a "credit ticket".

Two real estate bosses have now backed a foreign buyers' register.

Developer Willis Bond has taken deposits on more than half of its planned 164 new Wynyard Quarter apartments.