Auckland Council's Mike Lee has criticised his organisation's membership of industry organisation the Property Council.

An end to mowing berms in the old Auckland City area and a $30 million white-water rafting project in Manukau are sticking points for public input on this year's Auckland Council budget.

Prime Minister John Key's talk of national standards for resource consents will not help communities or preserve heritage, says Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.

Auckland Council has announced a complete fire ban for the region, including Great Barrier, Kawau, Waiheke and the other Hauraki Gulf islands.

Fran O'Sullivan called on Prime Minister John Key to be "bold and courageous" and "get serious on youth employment" upon his return from Hawaii. Excellent stuff.

Bill English should look into a mirror next time he points the finger at Auckland Council for not doing enough to encourage affordable housing, writes Brian Rudman.

Aucklanders' rates have given a $46 million boost to 10 rescue, safety, arts and cultural groups in the past four years and a further $14 million gift is proposed for the 2013-14 year.

A populare seaside horse race has been pipped at the post by a couple who booked the picturesque beach venue for their wedding.

More than 360 impounded dogs were killed this year despite being suitable for adoption.

An outpouring of support for the 80-year-old business to stay on the waterfront included 4500 followers on a Facebook page and a petition with 2037 signatures.

The agencies that run about 75 per cent of the Auckland Council's services have been blasted by the Auditor-General and told they face the axe unless they pick up their game.

A public inquiry into boosting the number of protected trees on the North Shore has been called a farce by residents whose nominated trees were rejected..

What every liveable city needs is a world-class concert hall, writes Brian Rudman, and the scaffolding has just gone up in the ASB Theatre at the Aotea Centre so the acoustic experts can create just that.

A lot is going well for the Super City after two years but it is still a work in progress with significant challenges, says the Auditor-General.

Whakatakataka Bay lies at the end of Ngapipi Rd, just before the well-known green boatsheds.

The Anglican Church has disputed the historical importance of a tree on its property in Parnell.

Watercare Services has fitted meters to 14 Auckland household rain water tanks in a trial that will test the fairness of its new $582 annual wastewater fixed charge.

Debate about the benefits of corporatised or privatised water models has been simmering for several years.

The future of the last big Auckland Council-owned commercial site in Devonport is up in the air, as city officials ponder its future.

The powers that be within the Super City are floating an idea that would give some flesh to all those slogans about liveable, transformational and world class.

The sex industry is expanding in central Auckland, with approval yesterday for the Chow brothers to build a 15-storey brothel and hotel building.

The Auckland Council is considering a ban on demolishing tens of thousands of heritage and character homes unless owners can prove they are beyond repair.