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.

Auckland currently has capacity for thousands of dwellings on existing greenfield land, writes Len Brown. "So the issue is clearly more than just land supply."

Wild birds including ducks, geese and pheasants are being poached from public parks in Auckland and being turned into dinner.

Nothing quite singles out a member of the baby-boomer generation from the Xs and Ys as our differing attitudes to privacy, writes Brian Rudman.

Officialdom is taking offence at a renegade public artwork of graffiti-covered tanks at Wynyard Quarter.

The $20 million revamp of Titirangi's Lopdell House is stepping up in the New Year with work starting on strengthening its frame and refurbishing the building.

Tests are being carried out on asbestos-containing material found in truck loads of soil dumped at Glendowie Park right opposite Glendowie Primary School.

It is of concern that while individual home owners and property investors are being encouraged to reduce debt and increase personal savings.

The council bodies that run about 75 per cent of Super City services have been told to front up in person to give an account of their performance.

Five years after they were thrust unwillingly into the political spotlight, things have changed for the residents of McGehan Close - much of it for the better.

A record Resource Management Act fine has been handed out to an Auckland landscaping company for dumping contaminated fill,

The council bodies that soak up a lot of ratepayers' money are not impressing their political masters when it comes to reducing rates next year.

The priority should be to create a liveable city that is business-friendly, writes Bryce Julyan