Finances for the plan to create the world's most 'liveable' city are so parlous, it appears, that to fund what Auckland needs Brown may need to break a promise, writes Paul Little.

Aucklanders are told something has to go if the mayor is to keep rates from rising beyond his election promise. Aucklanders should not listen to this, writes John Roughan.

Over the next 11 months, the Auckland Council, in consultation with Aucklanders, will develop the next 10-year budget 2015-2025, otherwise known as the Long-term Plan.

Housing New Zealand wants to lift building restrictions around hundreds of its historic and "special character" homes across Auckland to allow for development.

A simple Unitary Plan of self-determination is appealing, but land use choices are riddled with unintended consequences, writes Geoff Cooper.

The chickens have come home to roost for the Len Brown-led Auckland Council after four years of big spending and debt-fuelled budgets.

Cutting back funding for park maintenance, reducing library hours and scrapping inorganic rubbish collections are among options being considered by Auckland Council.

A High Court judge found a leading firm of architects does not have a "watertight" defence in a leaky building case over a Waiheke Island house.

Auckland Council's new 10-year budget includes proposals for major cuts to key transport projects, parks and community services, in a bid to save billions.

Aucklanders will be given clear choices, including tolls and congestion charges, to pay for big transport projects in a black budget being partly unveiled today.

Some operators in Auckland's sunbed industry need to get up to speed with strict new R18 rules before they get burned, an informal survey shows.

Auckland has become the nation's first city to ban under-18s from using sunbeds, and commercial sunbed operators will now need a licence.

Until three days ago I didn't know what it was like to be refused transport, writes Cherie Howie.

A controversial shuttle service for Auckland Transport staff was little used this week.

The Auckland Council and its transport agency are inviting ridicule with a trial of shuttle buses for their staff.

Public transport bosses in Auckland spent $356,000 to improve their public image - even as they lined up a special shuttle so staff don't have to travel on buses and trains.

Aucklanders could be issued with an arts passport that includes reduced travel costs to arts and cultures events in the city.

The privatisation of Queen Elizabeth Square in downtown Auckland has allegedly been pushed through a council committee without councillors being told of an option to retain the $60 million public open space.

'It was goodbye to views and gardens and hello to block walls, cheap roofing materials...' Three residents have spent $40k fighting a neighbour's house extensions.

The Cancer Society is appealing to Auckland suburbs with the city's highest rates of smoking for help to press for a smokefree bylaw and possibly fines.

Dionne Christian discovers Auckland's full of fantastic holiday fun - with cool activities that are easy on the pocket.

The Auckland Council is bending all the rules to fast-track the erection of a mock ye olde state house on Queens Wharf, the nation's most expensive piece of real estate, writes Brian Rudman.

A 4.5 tonne Venetian hand-blown glass chandelier of native flowers, birds and insects is the centrepiece of a large public sculpture at the end of Queens Wharf.

Residents of an inner-city Auckland suburb are outraged at a developer's plans to increase an apartment block which appear to have council blessing.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has seized on pollution from diesel buses as ammunition for early government funding of a $2.86 billion underground railway.

For more than two years, Progressive Enterprises has wanted a new Countdown on its Devonport land.

A two-year ban on new liquor stores in Auckland's CBD is being proposed by the council in its newly released draft alcohol policy.

Allowing electric cars in bus and high-occupancy vehicle lanes is being suggested to encourage more drivers to take advantage of renewable power generation.