Aucklanders face a hefty rates rise or congestion charges to pay for the long-awaited Auckland City Rail Link.

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed that Government will back a city rail loop in Auckland, but will delay the start of construction by five years.

Concern about Auckland's draft Unitary Plan may be keeping a lid on economic confidence in the region, a survey suggests.

Government appears likely to block attempts by councils to set stricter rules on genetically modified organisms.

Auckland Council is coming under pressure to prove it can provide enough parks to keep up with population growth.

Is it any wonder Auckland Council is having a hard time selling the Unitary Plan to the rest of us?

Scientists are trying to solve the mystery cause of persistent high levels of water pollution at some of Auckland's west coast beaches.

A group set up to find ways to pay for Auckland's long-term transport needs is under fire for how much it is spending.

Part of a large multi-million dollar piece of Devonport land could be sold by Auckland Council, but first a study of its future uses must be made.

Most commuters relying on public transport from South Auckland to the central city will have to catch trains rather than long-distance buses under a sweeping network redesign.

Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, we certainly will grow from 1.5 million citizens to over 2.5 million by mid century, writes Graeme Easte.

More than a third of the country's public lavatories have no soap and some even lack running water.

The Auckland Council is talking up another one million residents in the city by 2041, but it is taking a prudent line when it comes to providing services.

Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says she is confident the Government will address concerns about provisions in new legislation.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is sticking with a projected population growth figure of one million more Aucklanders.

"The market" can't fix Auckland's housing crisis, writes John Minto. Instead, a capital gains tax is the most important step to drive property investors out.

The Auckland Council will today ask the Government to scrap provisions in new legislation allowing Wellington to take control of housing developments in Auckland.

Auckland Council is misrepresenting the height of the proposed $7.8 million Devonport library building, says Tony Koia.

Lower building heights, tighter controls on developers and giving the public the right to object to apartment buildings are among changes being considered.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral occupies a special place in the life and landscape of Auckland. It is one of the city's grandest structures and the venue for state funerals of its grandest citizens.

The Auckland Council has made a $3 million grant to the Holy Trinity Cathedral at a time, says one councillor, when families are struggling to put food on the table.

A marine industry chief says his sector has shunned Hobsonville's Yard 37 development because it distrusts Auckland Council.

Auckland's northwestern settlement of Waitakere is to lose passenger trains after more than 130 years.

Notification of changes to Auckland's controversial unitary plan could be out off until October, after the council's elections, Mayor Len Brown says.

Charles Blower knows better than anyone how quickly body-corporate levies can skyrocket.

Developers are worried Auckland Council will bow to public protest over its unitary plan and housing projects will continue to struggle to get going.