From the moment you jump into the shower in the morning until you stagger back home later that night after a few post-work beers

Former National Party leader Don Brash says a new anti-separatist campaign may end up donating to one of his old enemies, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

Outgoing Auckland Mayor Len Brown has delivered a valedictory speech.

Auckland's St James Theatre is on the road to restoration thanks to heritage visionary Steve Bielby - combining his passion for quirky heritage with business smarts.

They're not old enough to vote, but schoolchildren are having their say at the ballot box in order to learn more about how elections work.

A 21-year-old has been convicted of wounding a man by stabbing him in the neck in Muriwai this year.

NZ Herald Focus: Passionate environmentalists are determined to preserve a significant piece of bush and wetlands, right on Auckland's doorstep.

Why are young people so alienated from politics? People aged 18-24 are the least likely age-group to vote in the upcoming local body elections.

A rare prosecution of alleged corruption in the New Zealand public sector has heard of a claimed cascading culture of bribery.

The weird, wonderful, and wrathful calls fielded every day by staff at councils across New Zealand have been revealed.

Polls say Phil Goff will be Auckland mayor. So how do the other contenders keep going ?

Losing a leg to cancer as an 11-year-old wasn't enough to put Katrina Bungard off from standing up for others. The Howick Local Board

Apartments will be built on the upper floors of the Civic Administration Building in Aotea Square under a deal unveiled by Mayor Len Brown today.

Your burning questions on the upcoming elections have been answered.

The sprawling Franklin ward has major infrastructure needs, say locals.

COMMENT: Auckland Council has had an attack of the Mills & Boons and decided LOVE is the solution to its most pressing problem.

A new city blueprint allowing for apartment living could be delayed after a late flurry of appeals in the lead up to a 5pm deadline on Friday.

People in Howick are keeping demands for Council simple: protect their ward's "special character" while ensuring trips to the city are less of an ordeal.

Mayoral contenders Phil Goff and Vic Crone both say they will tap private investors to pay for an Auckland light rail system if central government fails to fund it.

Improvements to public transport are top of the agenda in Albert-Eden-Roskill.

In a major milestone for Auckland City, the Government will today officially stump up half the cost of the long-awaited city rail link.

COMMENT: Mark Thomas used to run a fancy up-market eatery overlooking the Ferry Buildings. He should have stuck with it.

Sprucing up tired town centres, public safety and managing ongoing residential growth are the biggest concerns for Manurewa-Papakura ward voters.

It's the battle of the bruisers. Mike Lee versus Bill Ralston for the coveted Waitemata and Gulf seat.

Criticism said leadership race was between mediocre candidates and called for big ideas. Bernard Orsman asked contenders how they'll do that.

T-bar swings are being removed from Auckland playgrounds after a set suddenly failed while being used by a child.

COMMENT: As we prepare to yawn our way through another round of local government elections, spare a thought for the masochists fighting to represent you.

COMMENT: Be honest. Say what you represent and, in the spirit of openness and transparency, be clear about who is supporting your candidacy.

COMMENT: With the passing of Auckland's Unitary Plan, Warkworth's notorious State Highway 1 intersection at Hill St just got worse.

COMMENT: Little things can tell voters a lot about their local government. The Super City's new inorganic recycling service came to our house this week.