The company behind a proposed underground gold mine beneath homes in Waihi will appeal against parts of the resource consent.

The Government will appeal against a ruling that the new legal aid system is unlawful.

A robust process of engagement is essential to a successful plan, Bryce Julyan. Meaningful engagement requires time to assess and analyse the information received or given.

The courts will continue to operate with the current legal aid system for the timebeing despite the Court of Appeal ruling it unlawful.

It would seem suicidal for a government to declare war on a third of the population. But that seems to be exactly what the Key Government is doing, writes Brian Rudman.

The draft plan and the housing accord have led to fear, uncertainty and distrust in both the process and in those promulgating the plan, writes Christine Rose.

Intensification of housing needs to be matched by intensification of amenities, writes Dr Jamie Hosking. It must be sensitive to heritage and design values,

The draft Auckland Unitary Plan proposes a fundamental change to the urban fabric of Auckland, writs Richard Burton. Multi-storey, high-density apartment buildings formerly reserved to the inner city and adjoining areas are now proposed.

Half of suburban Auckland built up with three-storey apartments? Under the rules of the draft Unitary Plan it's about as likely as the sun setting in the east.

The Government says it will take control of housing planning and consent processes from councils if they do not act quickly enough to free up land for houses.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is backing down in the face of a citywide revolt against high-rise apartments and infill housing in a new planning rulebook for the city.

Local government is where a lot of the governing people care about goes on.

Auckland has overtaken Sydney as a host of premier events in Australasia and is now second only to Melbourne, an industry study has found.

Auckland Council and the Government have struck a deal to fast-track plans to free up land for residential department.

Maurice Williamson has told the producers of the Ellen DeGeneres show that he won't make an appearance if the focus is on him.

The Auckland Council has approved a 2.9 per cent rates increase this year.

A single dairy may have sold $200,000 of synthetic drugs in three months, a select committee has heard, as users start stockpiling before legislation bans them.

Auckland rates will rise on average by 2.9 per cent this year under Mayor Len Brown's inflation-sensitive budget to be put to the council tomorrow for approval.

A $224,000 prototype house, aimed at Aucklanders who want an affordable place, has been built at Papakura.

Auckland councillors are relatively unaffected by a new way of life that includes high-rise apartments and intensification for many of the city's 1.5 million residents.

Who wants another million people in Auckland? Len Brown does. Auckland City Councillors do. Auckland town planners do. The Government does. I don't, writes Bryan Jackson.