Labour's pledge to invest $680 million in a light rail system has rightly been labelled "pork barrel" politics by Steven Joyce.

Fast-growing councils, including Auckland, will be required to free up land for housing under a policy signed off by the Government today.

In an announcement linked to the Mt Roskill by-election, Labour leader Andrew Little yesterday said his party would fast-track light rail between the city and Mt Roskill.

National's Steven Joyce was criticised for 'pork barrel politics' during the Northland by-election. Now he's hitting out at Labour for the same over its $680m Mt Roskill light rail pledge.

The buyers of an upmarket apartment building have been told they will be without air conditioning for up to 18 months.

Is it time for Auckland to get a new slogan? Or is it time to change the city to fit its current one?

An Auckland property developer's attempt to avoid paying council damages over unconsented work he'd carried out on a patch of land north of Auckland has failed.

Protest boats will be banned from parts of Auckland's harbour during a historic visit by a United States warship.

COMMENT: New mayor Phil Goff needs to act fast to stop unelected officials running Auckland, writes columnist Brian Rudman.

Labour stalwart Phil Goff's pick of Franklin councillor Bill Cashmore as Auckland deputy mayor signals a centrist path ahead.

Auckland Council boss Stephen Town says he shares the agenda of new Auckland Mayor Phil Goff for a turnaround in council performance. Goff

Employers are being challenged to take on 500 unemployed young people in the next 50 days to give young New Zealanders a break into their first jobs.

COMMENT: Phil Goff has the potential to be an excellent mayor. He is capable and personable. I don't know anyone who doesn't like him.

The weather didn't ruin the first day of the Auckland Diwali Festival, but protesters had a go at spoiling a "joyous moment", an organiser says.

The knives are out in the National Party after the centre-right's disastrous result at last weekend's local elections in Auckland.

NZ Post has moved to reassure people their post is safe, following a number of incidents.

Chiefs player Glen Fisiiahi has been ordered to pay $3000 in reparation to the victim attacked by his pet dog.

Phil Goff's first public event as Auckland Mayor was to lay a wreath at the Passchendaele 99th Commemoration at Auckland Museum today.

Auckland Council has pulled down a public art installation depicting homelessness because they thought the piece was a pile of trash.

COMMENT: Poor Phil Goff. He's hardly jumped into his new Nissan Leaf mayoral limousine for a honeymoon whirl, when old foe John Key punctures front tyres.

Barrie George speaks in court of the first time he accepted bribes from a roading contractor, describing it as the start of a "merry-go-round".

The turnout for the Auckland Council election was profoundly disappointing. What has happened to the hopes once held for a unified, strongly led city?

New Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says he wants to stamp his own mark on the city.

Phil Goff's choice for a deputy mayor might be a dramatic break from how his predecessor ran the Super City.

Former Air NZ bosses could be installed in Auckland Council to rebuild public confidence in the failed institution, says new Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.

COMMENT: Shareholders are far more engaged with their companies than individuals are with their local council.

Medicine ads pulled off Chinese language sites after inquiries made.

A gun club has been cleared to build a firing range two doors down from a silent meditation retreat on the outskirts of Auckland.