Hearings into a controversial Bunnings Warehouse in Auckland's Grey Lynnhave begun, and residents have turned out in force to try to stop it.

Vets are warning dog owners to be vigilant after a spate of dog poisonings, including at least one incident believed to be deliberate.

Anyone who's tripped around India knows the traffic-calming effects of randomly wandering cows on city streets, writes Brian Rudman.

A local body candidate alleged to have snubbed pensioners at a campaign meeting this week said he knew nothing about the gathering and feels deeply wronged by the claim.

Auckland Council member Wayne Walker left 30 Orewa pensioners disappointed yesterday when he failed to show at their meeting to hear Mayoral candidate John Palino and five candidates for the Albany Ward.

Residents who hurt themselves or damage property while mowing a berm owned by Auckland Council can seek insurance cover from the council.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown last night defended salaries of nearly $800,000 a year for two senior council executives, telling a public meeting, "You have got to meet the market."

Dog owners at some of Auckland's most popular beaches are baffled as to why anyone would lay deadly slug bait indiscriminately in a public area.

No-mow councillors make u-turn and call for roadside cutting to continue until local body elections are over.

Several candidates in this year's local body elections have only recently become eligible to vote.

Mayor Len Brown is trying to rewrite history over his support for the SkyCity pokies-convention centre deal, says mayoral challenger John Minto.

The possibility of a Parnell park being traded as prime waterfront real estate in a Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement has prompted an outcry from groups.

Auckland mayor Len Brown has finally endorsed a "living wage" for council workers - two weeks after his chief rival unexpectedly appeared to support the idea.

Dionne Christian checks out activities on offer during Auckland's Heritage Festival.

Some high profile candidates in Auckland's local body elections are angry their profiles were left out of a booklet that goes out with voting papers.

Today's Editorial: Nothing much good comes in the hour between 3am and 4am on the streets of central Auckland.

Mayor Len Brown is promising a rates rise of 2.5 per cent next year with inflation at 0.7 per cent - its lowest level in 14 years.

Central Auckland carparks are on the market for as much as $75,000 - a price one expert says could prove a bit of a bargain in the long run.

Why can't an independent body fairly decide what a job should be paid? Or at least set a base living wage which people can actually live on, asks Brian Rudman.

A corruption inquiry at Auckland Transport has widened as a manager under suspicion has gone on sick leave.

Auckland Council has ratified the new planning rulebook for the city. Super City reporter Bernard Orsman examines the plan that will reshape our city.

Our neighbours have two large dogs on their well-fenced urban property. We have two problems with them.

Mayoral candidate Palino says blueprint should not be publicly notified until infrastructure and other studies done.