Auckland councillors are relatively unaffected by a new way of life that includes high-rise apartments and intensification for many of the city's 1.5 million residents.

Auckland Transport will not disclose how much public money it took to run trains and buses to Pukekohe for fewer than 10,000 spectators of last month's V8 Supercars races.

Auckland Council wrongly listed for protection 150 pre-1940s houses, drawing criticism from the Environment Court.

Free entry is being blamed for overcrowding so bad that disappointed swimmers are being turned away from Auckland pools.

Auckland Council's water company says it will start bringing in "much fairer" waste-water charges for 22,000 businesses from July next year.

Ambitious plans to create a $150 million world-class marine industry precinct at Hobsonville near a vast new housing estate have met with a limp reception.

The Auckland Council is sitting on secret documents used to draw up a new planning rulebook for the city and instructed its top lawyer to keep them hidden from the public.

The owners of a house where a deck collapsed, sending about 20 people and a hot barbecue plummeting to the ground, say it was lucky no one was killed.

In a sign of the discontent spreading across many suburbs, residents are now mobilising to save their homes, sunlight and views against plans for intensification in the new unitary plan.

Traffic engineering is probably the only realistic solution to Auckland's congestion, writes John Roughan. "The busway, like the bridge, is fine."

The desire of both National and Labour to rule Auckland directly is clear to see, writes Tony Holman.

Auckland homeowners could become about $24 billion richer under Auckland Council's proposed Unitary Plan as the value of sections will shoot up.

"Why should under-25s, with nothing but a desire for a romantic stroll in the park, be driven out for nothing more than the crime of having acute hearing?" asks Brian Rudman.

A controversial decision to cap Orewa and Browns Bay apartment living heights at four storeys is up for review during debate of Auckland Council's new planning rule book.

A former council call centre operator has been charged with milking more than $43,000 from more than 80 customers' credit cards.

Business is a bit of a struggle for Karen and Don Tanner. They have run their electroplating firm for 35 years but, faced with increased competition from cheap imports, struggled to make a $3000 profit last year.

A graveside sweep of cherished mementoes has cost more than $45,000 to put right.

A young Auckland councillor has posted on his Facebook page a link to a blog containing personal attacks on critics of the city council's new planning rulebook.

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.

"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?"

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.

Intensification isn't just about getting more height; it's about being smarter with what we have, writes Rob Hutchison.

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.