The Government is offering to hand over its interests in Eden Park, the Cloud and Queens Wharf to the Auckland Council, but the deal carries financial risks to ratepayers.

Giving building owners 10 years to strengthen earthquake-prone buildings would amount to an "execution order" for many heritage buildings, says the Auckland Council.

Proposals to change the Official Information Act are at odds with the Government's claims it is committed to openness and transparency, the Green Party says.

Aucklanders have a pleasant surprise in store next summer holidays when "no trespassing" signs come down at a secluded coastal industrial complex.

The sale of power shares would create barriers to the Government's ability to provide redress for Maori rights, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias says.

The Maori Council's final bid to delay the Government's flagship asset sales policy until Maori water claims are dealt with.

A stormwater project in Freemans Bay has cost ratepayers $201,000 and dangerous underground working conditions have raised safety concerns, according to a source.

They installed a new self-checkout machine at my local library. It happened in October but I noticed it only a few weeks ago.

More than 80 per cent of those who live with cats consider them to be a member of the family, writes Bob Kerridge.

There is no relief in sight from the long, dry summer that has made the country tinder-dry.

Mayor Len Brown's long-promised peek into our city leaders' private lives offers giggles but little else for gossip hounds, writes Brian Rudman.

Auckland's water storage levels are dropping steadily as the year's dry spell continues, with sunny weather forecast to last through the week.

Auckland Transport has quietly dropped a controversial feature of its $2.86 billion underground rail project.

UNICEF goodwill ambassador Gareth Morgan is known for combining an adventurous spirit with a commitment to original thinking.

Watercare is heading for a fight with its biggest customers as it tries to follow on from the controversial introduction of a single waste water tariff.

Auckland is home to a higher proportion of high-value service sectors operating in niche areas that we are competitive in, writes Geoff Cooper.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust has an odd way of trying to persuade Auckland Council that it's down to its last can of aviation fuel, writes Brian Rudman.

Work on creating tree-lined boulevards to connect Fanshawe St and Victoria Park with the waterfront at Wynyard Quarter will begin next month.

Seaside Orewa could get more high-rise apartments under the Auckland Council's moves to write a new planning rule book that encourages more living in town centres.

One of Auckland's few large-scale housing developments, at Long Bay, is exactly the type of model the Auckland Council does not want - expensive houses on large sections gobbling up prime land.

Removing roadblocks to allow for decisive action on Auckland's critically important economic growth agenda is emerging as the top issue in early 2013.