Many popular swimming spots contain high levels of bacteria that cause diarrhoea or infection, a new report shows.

A public call to relax rules for safer crossing of Auckland's bus lanes has been rejected by the country's land transport agency.

The Government's latest announcement on Queen's Wharf has the support of Auckland's regional and city council.

Auckland drivers have been fined $4.2m in a year for using bus lanes - even though there's no sign when they can enter lanes to turn left.

Tough new Auckland City rules about the number of real estate signs allowed on one property are being flouted, as agents wait for the supercity merger.

John Banks has racked up an $11,523 bill for flowers in his current term - including a $60 bunch to the Mayor from office staff when he was ill.