Strong measures to consider keeping a central Auckland square in public ownership before it could be privatised have been soundly defeated by the Auckland Council.

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.

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.

The reuse of rainwater, secure bike parking and community gardens are part of a concerted effort to make Wynyard Quarter the leader of sustainable urban development in New Zealand.

An R-rated burlesque haka has been added to this year's Maori New Year line-up.

Environment Minister Amy Adams is seeking major changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan, which she says will not provide enough houses and make housing even more unaffordable in its current form.

Demanding that bereaved families gain official permission before scattering the "cremains" of a loved one in a public place is a proposal that is doomed to fail, writes Brian Rudman.

Ratepayers are almost $20,000 out of pocket after a former Auckland Council employee helped herself to the public purse to buy items she couldn't otherwise afford.

A 20ha block of land at Hobsonville set aside for the marine industry will now be used for housing after a vote by Auckland councillors today.

About 500 planning staff at Auckland Council face an uncertain future in a major restructuring exercise announced today.

The Auckland Council has rejected a $75 million offer for the Downtown carpark - with the CEO saying it's 'not currently for sale'.

Auckland's mayor Len Brown has distanced himself from a tough by-law proposal on scattering ashes, admitting it would 'very hard' to enforce.

Editorial: It is only natural that families want to sprinkle ashes in places that were meaningful to the deceased.

The Warriors are considering legal action over one of America's legendary bands being booked into the rugby league club's stadium on a key weekend next season.

Councillors are asking the public to comment on a proposed bylaw making it illegal for people to scatter their loved one's ashes in public places, writes Kerre McIvor.

Only death and taxes are certain in life but anyone who has buried a loved one knows the tax lingers longer than the living.

Get out the gumboots and spades, urges Dionne Christian, and plant natives to spruce up the region's parks.

Popular ethnic restaurants, catering companies, sushi shops and butchers are among nearly 90 Auckland eateries with below par food hygiene.

Raking in the country's highest household incomes is not making Aucklanders feel happier or more financially secure than other New Zealanders.

The operators of Tournament Parking have made a surprise offer of $75 million today to buy the downtown carpark from Auckland Council.

Prime Minister John Key continues to back John Banks as "an honest man" and says he still has "options" despite being found guilty of knowingly filing a false electoral return.