In a test case that could affect thousands of leaky home owners, an Auckland couple have been granted leave for a Supreme Court appeal against a Weathertight Homes Tribunal decision.

The political right is already hailing the prospect of Maurice Williamson as Mayor of Auckland as a potential "circuit breaker" for local government in the Super City.

Auckland business leaders are sounding dire warnings about the Super City's future if citizens shun road tolls or higher rates and taxes to fund major transport improvements.

Editorial: The traffic jams that snagged Auckland roads on two nights late last week could hardly have been more timely for the Consensus Building Group, which is advising the Auckland Council on transport funding.

The Auckland Council is sitting on secret documents used to draw up a new planning rulebook for the city and instructed its top lawyer to keep them hidden from the public.

Budgeting services are facing cuts and New Zealand's only hostel for asylum seekers may have to close because of the ending of a government scheme.

The desire of both National and Labour to rule Auckland directly is clear to see, writes Tony Holman.

Fancy playing Monopoly through Ponsonby Rd, Queen St or Dominion Rd?

One can giggle at the twisted iron behind large reception desks, supplied by wide boy so-called art consultants, but ultimately it's their money to waste, writes Bob Jones.

Tomorrow, Auckland councillors decide whether candidates' names in this year's ballot papers should be listed in alphabetical order, writes Brian Rudman.

Editorial: Council should give clear message to port company The Auckland port company is proving very slow to get a simple message: the Waitemata is not to be narrowed.

Aucklanders will get a say on reclaiming more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations after a move to fast-track the latest plans into law was rejected yesterday.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has the numbers to push ahead with filling in more Waitemata Harbour, a senior council source says.

Auckland councillors are being urged to effectively dump a review of port development options in favour of fast-tracking the latest expansion plans into law.

Leading Auckland business figures are squaring off ahead of a crucial vote today on reclaiming more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations.

Auckland's Unitary Plan takes a sledgehammer to decades of agreed zoning and the property rights of Aucklanders, writes Mark Donnelly. Reportedly 56 per cent of properties may be rezoned for intensification.

What isn't fair is the way the Government is forcing DoC to use commercial and voluntary partnerships to make up for cuts in state funding, writes Brian Rudman.

Six major retailers are decrying the unitary plan, accusing Auckland Council of trying to design shops and force everyone on to public transport.

Sir Bob Harvey arrived in China yesterday morning for the 22nd time.

People are committing suicide, losing their homes and suffering heart attacks and strokes, because of one bad spending decision by a group of "country bumpkin" councillors.

New Zealand's largest solar installation has been put on top of the refurbished Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront.

Hobsonville is the sort of public-private partnership that when it comes to roads and schools buildings, this Government actively promotes, writes Brian Rudman.

As councils head to the polls this year, local government finds itself under attack, with its powers shrunk and its autonomy undermined, writes Sue Kedgley.