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.

Soaring debt, hefty rate increases and a blow-out in the wages bill have marked Len Brown's first term as Mayor and Treasurer of the Super City.

Some people get bogged down in the trivial and others just get the mower out and cut the grass.

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.

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.

As local body voting papers go out, the Herald examines the Super City's wards, analysing the big issues.

What are the residents' responsibilities, especially in respect to trees and shrubs that are growing on council berms?

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.

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.

Today's Editorial: Local body election year might not be the best time to rewrite the city's planning rules - but it's not a bad time either.

Farm paddocks are not there to sprout houses, Franklin Local Board chairman Andy Baker told a meeting to wrap up the new planning rulebook for the city this morning.

Making sure Franklin is not the forgotten part of town is the big issue for residents there.

Ratepayers will contribute up to $12 million over the next five years towards the Auckland NRL Nines tournament, which will be officially launched today.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is promising a post-election review of council-controlled organisations (CCOs), which could see the number trimmed from seven to four.

More Asian people will lose their jobs and businesses if the SkyCity convention centre deal goes ahead, MPs have been told.