Ports of Auckland has won a huge victory allowing it to use more of the Waitemata Harbour to park cars after Auckland councillors yesterday caved in on tough rules for reclamation.

Erica Hannam and Richard Tout are restoring their heritage-listed Northcote Pt villa but are concerned about the proposed SkyPath pedestrian and cycle way.

The Auckland Council has approved two large wharf extensions into Waitemata Harbour for port use - without notifying the public or councillors.

New Zealand territorial authorities have assets of $117.4 billion yet extremely low debt levels of only $10.8 billion, says a financial chief.

Councillors will be asked to permit the port company to reclaim 2ha of harbour every 10 years into the future, writes Brian Rudman.

Arch Hill residents have won concessions from big-box retailer Bunnings in an attempt to minimise the effects of the controversial new store on their Auckland neighbourhood.

Mission Bay Reserve is one of Auckland's most popular summer evening spots. So why are the men's loos allowed to get so filthy?

Auckland Council has apologised to visitors whose cars were locked in the Mt Eden domain for two hours after closing and who were asked to pay a $40 release fee.

A run-down Parnell home, complete with peeling wallpaper and a rusty roof, is set to go under the hammer for more than $1 million.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown opposes a plan to stop councillors serving as board members on Auckland Transport.

EXCLUSIVE: Auckland bureaucrats have come up with a plan to dump councillors from sitting on the board of Auckland Transport.

Almost $9 million in parking and traffic fines has gone unpaid in Auckland in the past year, and the worst offender owes nearly $38k.

Trams could be heading into Auckland city again, almost 60 years after the original tracks were torn up.

The historic former headquarters of lingerie company Berlei, standing in the way of the $500 million-plus SkyCity International Convention Centre, will be gutted and only its facade will remain.

After months of maintaining his innocence ex-Heart of the City boss Alex Swney phoned his parents to say he was going to plead guilty to nearly $1.8m in tax evasion.

Prime Minister John Key has said apartments are an option for first-home buyers. Property editor Anne Gibson explores the pros and cons.

At the moment, there is more water leaving the water treatment plants than there is entering the wastewater treatment plants, because of the dry spell, writes Phoebe Falconer.

The Herald understands Len Brown has the backing of his wife and has told his inner circle he wants to run again for the mayoralty, but may not have enough support.

Live music, fireworks, nearly all the oysters in the country and chainsaw-juggling buskers with a backdrop of three days of spectacular weather: Auckland's 175th Anniversary.

Auckland mayor Len Brown says the council will not put any ratepayer cash into building or running an international convention centre.

If trams are found to be compatible with cars on big city roads, and will carry more people more quickly, then the Auckland Council, Govt and ratepayers must seriously consider them.

Any new generation of Auckland trams would likely start from the waterfront and head up the Dominion Rd commuter spine via Queen St, says the city's transport head.

If this lack of regard for the financial resources of individual members of our community is to be curbed, it is critical that a strong message of opposition comes through from the community, writes George Wood, Dick Quax and Cameron Brewer.

Aucklanders have spent many, many years admiring what other cities have, but we're catching up now, writes Auckland Mayor Len Brown. There's a real sense of pride growing around our region.