Tolls are not the answer to fund big transport projects in Auckland like the $2.5 billion city rail link, says mayoral candidate Mark Thomas and the Taxpayers' Union.

Lonely elderly Aucklanders will soon have access to activity centres in council pensioner villages through a proposed council deal with the Selwyn Foundation.

Business leaders have welcomed Prime Minister John Key's State of the Nation address - but one has indicated disappointment on the housing front.

The Prime Minister's reading of the politics of the issue is an implicit tribute to the effort of the departing mayor, Len Brown, as it was three years ago.

The Government has not ruled out allowing Auckland Council to toll motorists to help fund the $2.5 billion City Rail Link.

Prime Minister John Key delivers his eighth state of the nation speech as Prime Minister. Read his full speech.

John Key outlines plan to make an early start on the main works of Auckland's $2.5b city rail link. But Andrew Little says the commitment should have come long ago.

The Auckland Council strategy chief talks about the Demographia report and Auckland housing.

A stink is brewing over Auckland Council's decision to approve behind closed doors a major expansion of a waste recycling plant on Puketutu Island in the Manukau Harbour.

It's not just height, it's density. In the widespread mixed housing suburban zones all a developer now needs to secure is a quarter of an acre, writes Cameron Brewer.

From the flag debate to the outrage surrounding the TPPA, this year the government was at the centre of the country's three biggest PR challenges.

An Auckland man charged by the Serious Fraud Office of trying to bribe an Auckland Council employee has been found not guilty.

The Auckland Council has spent more than $28 million on staff training and related travel costs in four years.

The council's governing body has decided to offer Stephen Town a new remuneration package of $690,000 an amount that will be fixed for two years from January 15.

Auckland Council is understood to be releasing maps tomorrow showing large swathes of suburban Auckland being rezoned for multiple townhouses and apartments.

A call for public consultation on rezoning more suburban areas for townhouses and apartments has been quashed by Mayor Len Brown.

Xero chief executive "incredibly proud" of NZ managing director Victoria Crone, who has resigned from her role to make a bid for the Auckland mayoralty.

Auckland Council published a list of some of the weirdest requests its call center staff were saddled with.

Auckland business boss is expected to announce on Monday whether she will contest the Auckland mayoralty.

The Auckland Council was so confident the men in black would win the Rugby World Cup they were planning celebrations two games into the tournament.

A $50 million-plus housing project at Albany identified as the site of a shoddy-building video has been issued with four notices by Auckland Council to fix work.

Environment Court reached decision on dispute between property owner and Auckland Council.

All the money spent and work being done by the council and groups to restore native wildlife is a complete waste of time if we don't manage the number one problem - cats, writes Gareth Morgan.

Auckland councillors are going behind closed doors to propose rezoning thousands more houses in the city's suburbs for multiple townhouses and apartments.

Achieving the Auckland Council's ambitious goals will require a more rigorous approach to its financial position.

Phil Goff formally announces he will run for Auckland Mayor.

Former Green Party member and council employee David Hay has announced he is standing for the Auckland mayoralty next year.

Two years after a nature sanctuary was put up for sale on Great Barrier Island, its owners are awaiting a deal to be settled with their preferred buyer

Wrangle over waterfront land on Auckland peninsula may be heading to the Supreme Court.