Latest from Auckland Council

Fran O'Sullivan: Steven Joyce needs to play cards right or walk away

There's an old maxim in poker - "If you don't know who's getting screwed, get up and walk away from the table because it is you."

'It wouldn't get past first base'

A Government proposal that ratepayers help cover a potential $130m blowout in the cost of SkyCity’s new convention centre is going down poorly with several councillors.

Auckland's 175th Anniversary

Editorial: SkyCity must meet its side of bargain

SkyCity's bid to build the convention centre was accepted for one reason: it did not need public money. Unless it can meet its side of the bargain, all bets are off.

Artificial field's 'horrible' smell

New in-fill for artificial fields is being investigated as residents near an Ellerslie complex complain of the "horrible" smell of rubber tyres.

Rates cash eyed for SkyCity

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison yesterday also confirmed his company wants a taxpayer-funded top-up and was willing to walk away from the deal if it doesn't get it.

Couples fight for $2.9 million home

A luxury Remuera home described as totally rebuilt and in the sought-after Grammar Zone has sold nearly twice its new Auckland Council rating valuation.

Empty prime CBD sites bad for the city

A prominent commercial real estate financier says land-bankers are ruining Auckland's central business district by leaving many sites vacant for decades.

Poor water blights beaches

A world-class surfing spot and one of Northland's most picturesque strands of coastline are among more than 40 swimming beaches hit with a "caution" label for water quality.

Roading lobbyists eyeing Vector shares

Kim Campbell has organised a meeting this afternoon to discuss strategies to soften up Aucklanders for the sale of the remaining shares in lines company Vector to pay for new roads.

One Tree Hill pine theft charge dropped

The man who allegedly tried to sell the Monterey pine that stood on Auckland's One Tree Hill for more than a century will not be charged.

Council's plan for meth houses

Auckland Council has undertaken a review of guidelines for methamphetamine-contaminated properties and developed tough new proposals to be implemented next month.

Big projects on back burner

Key Auckland transport projects - including some on which work has already started - face long delays unless new funding can be found from road tolls or higher rates.

Winston Peters: Super City Grinches want our prize

Winston Peters writes: There is a group of people who want to get rid of the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust. But why fix what isn't broken?

Transport meltdowns tarnish Auckland

Aucklanders wondering when they will become inhabitants of "the world's most liveable city" have suffered a triple-serving of key service meltdowns in one week.

John Roughan: Up close, council is worse than imagined

Not long ago I wondered here whether we need more than one government in a country where the whole population is no larger than an average city in the world.

Len Brown: Slow train coming

Len Brown hitched up his pants. Well, he thought, here we go. Here we go again. He surveyed the scene before him like Caesar in the senate of Rome.

Brian Rudman: Leave the car and listen to the tui

If I were a bit doddery on my feet, or wheelchair-bound, I suspect I'd be delighted to be able to totter around the summit of Maungawhau/Mt Eden at my own pace.