It's the battle of the bruisers. Mike Lee versus Bill Ralston for the coveted Waitemata and Gulf seat.

Criticism said leadership race was between mediocre candidates and called for big ideas. Bernard Orsman asked contenders how they'll do that.

T-bar swings are being removed from Auckland playgrounds after a set suddenly failed while being used by a child.

COMMENT: As we prepare to yawn our way through another round of local government elections, spare a thought for the masochists fighting to represent you.

COMMENT: Be honest. Say what you represent and, in the spirit of openness and transparency, be clear about who is supporting your candidacy.

COMMENT: With the passing of Auckland's Unitary Plan, Warkworth's notorious State Highway 1 intersection at Hill St just got worse.

COMMENT: Little things can tell voters a lot about their local government. The Super City's new inorganic recycling service came to our house this week.

Auckland Council is in urgent need of dozens of qualified building inspectors.

Comment: Auckland Transport can sometimes be its own worst enemy. AT hit Crone for ads but what about its own bus signage?

Auckland Council is charging customers three full days parking fees if they lose their ticket at three of its central city carparks.

David Rankin's version of events that he and Don Brash were threatened differs from TVNZ's head of news.

Auckland Council planning manager John Duguid led the Unitary Plan process. He was relieved was see the 'massive beast' come into force.

Centre-right Auckland mayoral candidate Vic Crone says she is encouraged by a poll showing a big chunk of undecided voters in the race for city hall.

Vic Crone is promising to take a tough line with the council's business units, saying they are a law unto themselves and not delivering value for money.

Phil Goff has established a commanding lead in the Auckland mayoral race with fewer than four weeks until voting begins, according to one poll.

Super City reporter Bernard Orsman takes a look at some of the key match-ups that will determine the outcome of October's elections.

Filipaina, chairman of Unitary Plan committee, is not talking about his Rio trip - but photos circulating on social media show he had a whale of a time.

The Electoral Office has added business school owner Susanna Kruger to the list of candidates standing for the Auckland mayoralty.

Property developer Helen O'Sullivan says Unitary Plan will greatly help solve Auckland's housing crisis by enabling developers to build mid-priced housing.

The names of two men caught up in local body election dramas this week will remain on the ballot.

A block of art deco-style flats in central Auckland have kept heritage protection in a new planning rulebook for the city.

Auckland Council says 25 names were left off its candidate list for the upcoming local elections due to an "administrative oversight".

COMMENT: After the machines have gone, will life return to the Queen St Canyon?

The man leading the Auckland Council's Unitary Plan is basking in the sun at the Rio Olympics while his colleagues are ploughing through the details.

Auckland councillors yesterday farewelled the days of traditional single houses for a new era featuring apartment living.

There are 17 people in the running for the Auckland Council's top job.

Auckland councillors have voted by the narrowest of margins to stop housing being built on the Crater Hill volcano at Papatoetoe.

A wooden carving commissioned as part of a regional public art programme has been vandalised.