Latest FromAuckland Council
![Council spent $60m to spread word](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Council spent $60m to spread word
Auckland Council and its web of agencies employ 143 communications, public relations and marketing staff and in its first two years spent $60 million on getting the word out about itself.
![Brian Rudman: Noise rules could drive you crazy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Brian Rudman: Noise rules could drive you crazy
"What controls will be imposed to ensure the good design of the new terrace housing and apartment blocks?" asks Brian Rudman. "What noise controls will be set in place?"
![Turf fears spur toxin tests](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Turf fears spur toxin tests
Auckland Council will test water running off a new artificial sports field after fears were raised that a layer made from recycled car tyres leached toxic chemicals.
![Rob Hutchison: Council must be bolder on future](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rob Hutchison: Council must be bolder on future
Intensification isn't just about getting more height; it's about being smarter with what we have, writes Rob Hutchison.
![Council asks locals to offer housing plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Council asks locals to offer housing plan
Auckland Council has handed a map to the Milford Residents Association and urged it to have a go at drawing an appropriate location for higher-density housing.
![City plan ignores design issues, say retail giants](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
City plan ignores design issues, say retail giants
Six major retailers are decrying the unitary plan, accusing Auckland Council of trying to design shops and force everyone on to public transport.
![Compact city rulebook hits wall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Compact city rulebook hits wall
A new rulebook that sets out to build high-rise apartments and turn rural land into housing is becoming a tough ask for Auckland Mayor Len Brown and his deputy Penny Hulse.
![Rates: more certain than death and taxes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Rates: more certain than death and taxes
When Gaylene Mackereth left her home in Howick on a trip to the beach with her granddaughter recently, she paid a bit more attention than usual to the houses they passed.
![Brian Rudman: Heart of city heading for coronary](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Brian Rudman: Heart of city heading for coronary
With more than 50,000 people living in Auckland's CBD, it's no longer just the retailers and the businesses being inconvenienced, writes Brian Rudman.
![House prices tipped to rise by 12pc](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
House prices tipped to rise by 12pc
Auckland house prices are predicted to rise a further 12 per cent over the next year, with the nationwide average jumping almost $40,000 by the end of the year.
![$71m deal for council's North Shore HQ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
$71m deal for council's North Shore HQ
A former Takapuna Grammar student, who migrated from Malaysia 12 years ago, has just completed one of this year's biggest commercial property deals.
![Going green saves museum big money](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Going green saves museum big money
Auckland Museum is being touted as a green example for other city organisations after it succeeded in slashing its carbon footprint by 30 per cent in just two years.
![Disabled Kiwis left behind by quake plans](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Disabled Kiwis left behind by quake plans
Large parts of the country's building stock will be off-limits for disabled people under a proposal to trim the cost of upgrading thousands of earthquake-prone buildings, advocacy groups have warned.
![Marathon: Council's track ban mystery to runners](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Marathon: Council's track ban mystery to runners
Runners say an Auckland City Council decision to prohibit the use of the Hillary Trail in West Auckland for an off-road running event is bizarre and makes no sense.
![Are we ready for the big one?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Are we ready for the big one?
As they did on the afternoon of March 17, tens of thousands of Aucklanders take to Facebook and Twitter to express their amazement that their seemingly quake-free city has had a rumble.
![Council sees no conflict in belonging to property body](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Council sees no conflict in belonging to property body
Auckland Council has voted to stay in an organisation that calls itself the voice of commercial property - after rejecting pleas that citizens see a conflict of interest.
![Smith appears to offer olive branch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Smith appears to offer olive branch
Housing Minister Nick Smith appears to be taking a more conciliatory approach to Auckland's housing crisis as he prepares to meet Mayor Len Brown to discuss the issue today.
![Familiar faces likely to linger on](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Familiar faces likely to linger on
There will be few new faces around the Auckland Council chamber after October's local body elections, with most councillors standing for re-election and little sign of strong contenders to oust the incumbents.
![Eye-watering costs to get connected](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Eye-watering costs to get connected
A fee for tapping into the waterworks in parts of Auckland has gone up by 900 per cent in the past two years - from less than $850 to almost $8000.
![Damien Grant: Watercare's got the wrong numbers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Damien Grant: Watercare's got the wrong numbers
Damien Grant writes: By law, Watercare has to keep the overall costs of water at minimum levels.
![City hosts an open house](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
City hosts an open house
In the months ahead Aucklanders can sample the city's vibrant cultures, writes Alexia Santamaria.
![Mai Chen: Dangers in picking a fight with Auckland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Mai Chen: Dangers in picking a fight with Auckland
"Who wins when the Auckland Council and the Government do not agree on the approach to affordable housing?" asks Mai Chen. "Or when Auckland's unitary plan should take effect?"
![Council forks out $10.5m for travel](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Council forks out $10.5m for travel
Brazil, Nepal and Finland are among far-flung countries visited by Super City staff, who have racked up a $10.5 million domestic and international travel bill in two years.
![Ask Phoebe: Inorganic collection on its way for Rodney](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Ask Phoebe: Inorganic collection on its way for Rodney
Ask Phoebe Ratepayers in Rodney District are charged a levy of $89.34 a year, allegedly to support the transfer stations in our area whether we use them or not.