Latest FromAuckland Council
![Waitakere to lose passenger trains](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Waitakere to lose passenger trains
Auckland's northwestern settlement of Waitakere is to lose passenger trains after more than 130 years.
![Council not trusted: marine chief](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Council not trusted: marine chief
A marine industry chief says his sector has shunned Hobsonville's Yard 37 development because it distrusts Auckland Council.
![Next step for Unitary plan could be 'after elections'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Next step for Unitary plan could be 'after elections'
Notification of changes to Auckland's controversial unitary plan could be out off until October, after the council's elections, Mayor Len Brown says.
![Buried by bills](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Buried by bills
Charles Blower knows better than anyone how quickly body-corporate levies can skyrocket.
![Eric Watson: In praise of life in high-intensity housing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Eric Watson: In praise of life in high-intensity housing
An issue at the heart of Auckland's draft unitary plan is whether the density of housing should be raised in parts of the city.
![Consumer Watch: Plan changes suit developers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Consumer Watch: Plan changes suit developers
Developers are worried Auckland Council will bow to public protest over its unitary plan and housing projects will continue to struggle to get going.
![Fran O'Sullivan: Right plan for nation's only global city](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Fran O'Sullivan: Right plan for nation's only global city
The so-called debate on Auckland's draft Unitary Plan has become disconnected from the big-picture narrative that it serves: that contained in the overarching Auckland Plan, which aims to transform Auckland into the "world's most liveable city".
![Dr Ann Bartos & John Mauro: Learn from other cities](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Dr Ann Bartos & John Mauro: Learn from other cities
Seattle's an economic engine, a leader in sustainability and a hub for culture and creativity, writes Dr Ann Bartos and John Mauro. It could easily be Auckland.
![John Palino: Council hasn't tried hard enough](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
John Palino: Council hasn't tried hard enough
We have a huge growth challenge in our city, but with that challenge we have an equally great opportunity, writes Auckland mayoral candidate Joe Palino.
![Support for draft plan 'fading fast'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Support for draft plan 'fading fast'
Support for the draft Unitary Plan is "melting faster than snow in sunshine" amid widespread anxiety over intensive housing proposals.
![$1.6m consultancy fees under fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
$1.6m consultancy fees under fire
Consultants have been paid $1.6 million for work on Auckland Council's Yard 37 marine precinct development.
![Map: Draft Unitary Plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Map: Draft Unitary Plan
Public submissions on Auckland Council's draft unitary plan close this week. View a map of the draft unitary plan here.
![Plan lacks up-versus-out cost comparison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Plan lacks up-versus-out cost comparison
The Auckland Council hasn't done any work to compare urban and rural infrastructure costs as it asks Aucklanders to adapt to a new way of life.
![Christine Rose: No wonder Aucklanders are angry](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Christine Rose: No wonder Aucklanders are angry
The draft plan and the housing accord have led to fear, uncertainty and distrust in both the process and in those promulgating the plan, writes Christine Rose.
![Casino wins with sinking lid, rivals say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Casino wins with sinking lid, rivals say
SkyCity's rivals say its pokie machines will earn more if Auckland Council heeds calls for a regional sinking lid policy on gaming venues.
![Jamie Hosking: Build up, not out to become world's most liveable city](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Jamie Hosking: Build up, not out to become world's most liveable city
Intensification of housing needs to be matched by intensification of amenities, writes Dr Jamie Hosking. It must be sensitive to heritage and design values,
![Commuters clog free spots](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Commuters clog free spots
Residents of central Auckland fringe suburbs such as Mt Eden, Parnell and Orakei are getting riled at their streets becoming free parking lots for commuters.
![Stop the spin, residents tell council](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Stop the spin, residents tell council
A public meeting of about 500 people has told the Auckland Council to rethink its intensification plans for the city, start listening to communities and stop spinning.
![Editorial: Push needed to hold mass appeal events](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Editorial: Push needed to hold mass appeal events
Sometimes it takes an outside eye to reveal the full extent of a change in circumstance.
![Height limit three storeys, not two](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Height limit three storeys, not two
Half of suburban Auckland could be built up with three-storey apartments and residents will have no say when developers move into their street.
![Deb Milliken: Auckland's rural areas worth fighting for](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Deb Milliken: Auckland's rural areas worth fighting for
The continued sprawl of New Zealand towns and cities across productive land is a concern, writes Deb Milliken. It is a particular concern around Auckland.
![Mayor caught in retail row](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Mayor caught in retail row
Auckland Mayor Len Brown is refusing to help a community battling plans by hardware giant Bunnings to build a big box retail store alongside homes and kindergartens.
![How water nourishes Auckland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
How water nourishes Auckland
Auckland plans to spend $4.8 billion over the next 10 years on water projects as the city's population grows.
![Port expansion, version 2](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Port expansion, version 2
A little expansion or a step too far is the choice facing Aucklanders with the release of the latest plans to reclaim more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations.
![Brian Rudman: Housing plan 'a weak compromise'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Brian Rudman: Housing plan 'a weak compromise'
Mayor Len Brown and his deputy Penny Hulse pushed hard for quotas for affordable housing to be included in the accord, but the Govt refused, writes Brian Rudman.