Four years since the creation of Whau - carved from areas previously managed by two different councils - residents still struggle to identify themselves as one ward.

As local body voting papers go out, the Herald examines the Super City's wards, analysing the big issues.

Mayor Len Brown is promising a rates rise of 2.5 per cent next year with inflation at 0.7 per cent - its lowest level in 14 years.

With the voters of Orakei having a bye for the ward seat on Auckland Council the focus shifts to the Local Board.

Brian Rudman fears the Joyce Team will conjure up some role for The Cloud in a future America's Cup regatta, dragging its "temporary" status out for years.

A group of the country's most senior police officers have attacked plans to allow city bars to stay open three hours later than pubs in the suburbs.

The images of themselves that people have chosen in an attempt to earn our support on billboards are unrelievedly unflattering, says Paul Little.

Spiralling rates and views blocked by high-rise developments may seem like First World problems to the poorest residents of Maungakiekie-Tamaki.

What's in a name? Plenty, when you're at the bottom of an alphabetically ordered ballot form. And that's why some local body candidates are changing their names.

The gloves are off in the Waitemata and Gulf ward to claim the prize of what the incumbent Mike Lee calls the capital of Auckland.

The prospects for Auckland redeveloping more of its formerly industrial waterfront and the fortunes of many big planned new city projects are being seen as enhanced.

One of Auckland's oldest and nearest golf clubs to the CBD is considering selling its 4th hole to get out of the financial rough as membership subscriptions dwindle.

After three years of trying to fit in with a fast city set, rural communities to Auckland's north are weighing up the worth of being under the Super City umbrella.

A man charged with threatening Wanganui mayoral candidate Michael Laws has appeared in court.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says he will push for a 2016 start to the $2.86b city rail link after promising voters he would have the project finished by 2017.

In the lead-up, the Herald is examining all 13 Super City wards, and analysing the big issues and contests.

In the short life of the inaugural Auckland Council, debt levels have soared.

Offered a prime location on the Auckland waterfront, who would turn it down? Answer: Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum.

An insurance company owned by New Zealand's local councils is one of three insurers that will be allowed to continue to operate on a provisional licence.

Mayoral candidate Palino says blueprint should not be publicly notified until infrastructure and other studies done.

In the lead-up, the Herald is examining all 13 Super City wards, and analysing the big issues and contests.

Today's Editorial: Local body election year might not be the best time to rewrite the city's planning rules - but it's not a bad time either.

The talk is of big money and benefits of the Super City, but it's hard work for the hopeful politicians to convince their audience of 60 Milford residents that their lot has changed.

A multi-language campaign to get West Auckland rock fishers to wear lifejackets is struggling to make headway against an undercurrent of risky behaviour.

Instead of trying to inspire voters to get out and do their democratic duty in a few weeks, Local Government Minister Chris Tremain has as good as conceded turn-out is going to be poor.