The basic problem Mayor Brown needs to confront is not how his extra roads and railways and tunnels are to be built, writes Brian Rudman. It's how best to prune his $12 billion shopping list.

No one south of the Bombay Hills likes to admit the Auckland Council is having an impact on the whole of NZ, but there is now evidence that is hard to refute, says Mai Chen.

Len Brown has written to the seven council-controlled organisations that together run the business side of the Super City, reminding them they are members of Team Auckland, not macho, self-governing, fiefdoms.

The hard-up Super City stands to receive a windfall of about $100m from a planned $454m capital return by Auckland International Airport.

Auckland Council is in line for a $100m windfall, after Auckland International Airport this morning announced it would be paying out $454m to its shareholders.

Parents with inflatable paddling pools could face $500 fines if they ignore council orders to fence them off or empty them after use under proposed rules to be unveiled today.

Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer wants a council review into Len Brown's affair with Bevan Chuang widened to investigate a trip the mayor made to Hong Kong.

Researchers from Australia have come up with a way of putting a dollar value to the "feel-good" factor of a major culture event, writes Brian Rudman.

Angela and Peter Signal have received an apology from Auckland Council after being told they had to trim a hedge planted on council land, but want an explanation.

A controversial new Bunnings store on Great North Rd in Grey Lynn, Auckland, has been approved.

An airport worker fired for watching sport on television instead of working has lost his unfair dismissal claim.

Shopowner wants to provide a place to rest and hopefully lure customers, but council insists it has to charge.

An Auckland Council review of any use of council resources by Mayor Len Brown in his affair with Bevan Chuang is taking longer than expected.

Carpet manufacturer Godfrey Hirst has complained to the Auditor-General that a $960,000 contract was not put out to tender.

Auckland Council workers may be losing their desks when the council shifts into its new Albert St headquarters next year.

The thriving performing arts side of Auckland's $1.31 billion arts and culture economy is all but forgotten, writes Brian Rudman.

The Auckland mayoral office has confirmed today that Mayor Len Brown took a trip to Hong Kong in January this year at the invitation of the Hong Kong Government.

Stephen Town will take home an annual salary of $630,000 in his role as Auckland Council's new chief executive, Len Brown has announced.

There's something rather heart-warming about the growing popularity of the "living wage" movement, writes Brian Rudman. Despite three decades of market economic indoctrination, NZ's underlying sense of fairness and decency remains intact.

I am seeking information on behalf of my 84-year-old friend. His family shifted to Auckland from Northland in 1941 and lived for a time in Paddy's Puzzle in Parnell. Tom would like to know more about its origins.

Mayor Len Brown will propose a "living wage" of $18.40 for all Auckland Council staff at a council meeting today.

Auckland councillors and local board members have been given leather satchels to carry their council documents, at a cost of $23,304.

Most Aucklanders, with the exception of central suburbs dwellers, appear to support the controversial council decision to stop mowing roadside berms.