Council officers release "major policy shifts" to the latest draft of the Unitary Plan.

A proposal to build homes on one of Auckland's most prized volcanoes looks set to be rejected by Auckland councillors.

Labour MP Phil Goff vows to cut fat, introduce road charges and cap rates rises at 2.5 per cent if he wins the Auckland mayoralty in nine weeks.

Falling scaffolding and a dropped hammer are among five "near misses" on the multi-million-dollar fix-up job to Auckland Council headquarters.

A smoking ban in open spaces, such as footpaths, civic squares and beaches, is to be investigated by Auckland Council.

COMMENT: There's a cargo cult hysteria erupting over the magical cure-all abilities of Auckland Council's proposed unitary plan.

Regulation is hard to get right. The political climate tends to swing from excessive freedom to excessive restriction or vice versa.

Auckland Council is not saying if it holds investments in soft drink, alcohol and tobacco companies only days after it purged fizzy drinks at its leisure centres.

A new council regulation requiring charter boats to have a liquor licence will create a dangerous "pub-like" environment when they are docked.

A huge jump in more intensive housing permitted in central Auckland may be the breakthrough frustrated first home buyers have been looking for.

Minimum dwelling sizes, density limits and other development controls have been deleted from the new recommended rulebook for Auckland.

A couple who moved from London to raise their young family in New Zealand are "devastated" by the latest plan.

Auckland has made heavy weather of its plain need for dense development.

Watch NZ Herald Focus: Auckland's Unitary Plan is the new rulebook telling people what can be built where and how high. Aucklanders will be able to go the Auckland Council website, type in their address and find out what the or Unitary Planmeans for them.

Watch NZH Focus: The future look and feel of Auckland will become clearer today when a new rulebook is released.

Bernard Orsman talks with Aucklanders about their hopes and aspirations for the future of the city.

COMMENT: The Auckland mayoralty is a huge job and the election should be based on talent and who has the best skills to get results.

Businesses have blasted Auckland Council's unnecessary red tape which they say is holding them back and causing costly delays.

Mayoral candidates Vic Crone, Phil Goff, John Palino and Mark Thomas squared off at a debate in South Auckland tonight.

The $1.5 million Michael Parekowhai sculpture, based on a modest, two-storey Mt Eden state house, has been revealed.

Orlando Shepherd appeared in Manukau District Court this afternoon to be sentenced for owning a dog that attacked a person.

COMMENT: The plan will guide development over the next couple of decades. The key question is whether it will deliver a quality outcome.

COMMENT: Investors have become scapegoats to divert attention from a council that is expensive to do business with and has lacked proactive policies.

An Auckland councillor is using money from his own back pocket to take to the airwaves and criticise the decision to drop trains to the airport.

Bill English has blamed house price inflation on Auckland planning rules, which have prevented the city from growing out.

Auckland Council planned to install a sculpture in a suburban park, but mother nature had other ideas.

Auckland may be one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world but 9 in 10 elected Auckland Council representatives are white.

Penny Bright had appealed a decision made in February that required her to pay her rates, which have been outstanding since 2007.

A new mayor and council for Auckland face some tough decisions on transport, housing, Ports of Auckland and asset sales, says a pre-election report.

Downsizing from a family home to an apartment can open up opportunities for a change in lifestyle, meeting new friends and exploring