Len Brown defends the function as a thank you to staff, but critics say a 10 per cent rates hike is nothing to celebrate.

I'm a little nervous about supporting Watercare's desire to bury a large watermain along the outer fringes of Cornwall Park.

The Super City's hands are tied when it comes to the law and telling the port what to do, writes Charles Levin.

Editorial: Now that the project has been stopped the company should cut its losses and think again. It has reclaimed enough of the harbour.

Councillors Cathy Casey and Wayne Walker have come forward today to say they will have a say on tomorrow’s final budget vote.

A new 10-year, $60 billion budget for the Super City is on shaky ground days out from a final vote.

A period of public consultation has resulted in a policy substantially changed from the draft proposals, much to the dismay of the police and health authorities.

Several Auckland councillors expected to abstain from a budget vote this week to avoid plunging the Super City into a financial crisis are coming under fire.

Sir Bob Harvey says he will be championing the Super City but Auckland's mayoral office hoses down his claims soon after.

Auckland will not solve the city's affordable housing crisis by loosening heritage rules, says the heritage lobby.

An old computer cobbled together for $2.2 million is taking business off a new council computer costing hundreds of millions of dollars to build from scratch.

Auckland Council should follow the lead of Fonterra, which is laying off hundreds of staff in response to low dairy prices, says Orakei councillor Cameron Brewer.

A small crowd of about 50 people have turned out at a public meeting in Auckland tonight to discuss looming rates increases.

There is no sign of a new public space to replace the privatised Queen Elizabeth Square, says the Waitemata Local Board.

Car batteries, coffee cups and condoms - welcome to the underwater junkyard that lies just off our city beaches.

Auckland councillors have agreed to lessons to improve their governance skills - a more urgent need is for them to learn how to be better politicians, writes Brian Rudman.

The Super City is bogged down with meetings, talkfests not requiring a decision and too little constituency time, councillors say.

Labour MP and possible mayoral contender Phil Goff has joined prominent Aucklanders in a second open letter calling on Ports of Auckland and Auckland Council to stop port expansion.

The Auckland Council deserves kudos for starting to publish details about the spending of ratepayer money.

The Warriors and their fans are being offered a lifeline to stay at Mt Smart Stadium.

Douglas "Doug" McKay has had leadership roles in some of New Zealand's largest companies. He was appointed to Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Now I'm totally confused. John Key has nominated Auckland for the Lee Kuan Yew World City prize, named in honour of the leader who nanny-stated Singapore.

Auckland ratepayers are coughing up $23.8 million in the region's biggest leaky building case.

Auckland Transport believes parking fines are no longer effective and calls for an increase to deter offenders.

Auckland Transport is developing residential parking zones which will have a time limit, but allow residents to purchase parking permits.

A 9.9 per cent average rates rise for Auckland households from July is going down badly with residents and ratepayer groups.

Auckland Council's first big forced-sale property case sparked by unpaid rates did not go ahead as planned when the money was suddenly paid.

It seems to be the big question of the moment, writes Liam Dann. There's no doubt the property market is hot. Too hot for those struggling to buy their first home.

Aucklanders facing a new transport rate are paying "far too much" to subsidise the city's trains.