Editorial: If Mayor Len Brown can keep the Auckland Council's rates to a rise not much above 2 per cent next year he will be doing well.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is proposing a rates rise of between 1.9 per cent and 2.9 per cent in next year's election-year budget.

Twenty Auckland Council staff are set to lose their jobs when five visitor information centres are closed as the result of a cost-cutting directive from Mayor Len Brown.

With changing land uses at the eastern end of the waterfront comes the opportunity to re-think Quay St to serve today's public needs, writes Bob Harvey.

Auckland Council is considering cutting the number of unelected council-controlled organisations from seven to four.

Special report: In the final of a two-part report, Bernard Orsman looks at how the seven Auckland Council-controlled Organisations are shaping up in their duties for the Super City's 1.3 million residents.

Auckland ratepayers are spending $13.1 million a year to pay for seven boards of directors, seven chief executives and seven executive teams who run much of the Super City.

Mayor's efforts to increase public scrutiny of bodies that run three-quarters of Auckland only a partial success.

Proposal to outlaw liquor 24/7 in parks, cars, streets and cemetery to plug existing gaps.

Auckland Council has spent $12,300 on preparations to chop a limb off a pohutukawa tree that is obstructing a West Auckland footpath. But that money's now been wasted.

"There is real excitement about the waterfront and Aucklanders are asking us: 'What's next?' Bob Harvey explains.

Brian Rudman a campaign budget of $580,000 means chasing the Auckland mayoralty is a rich man's sport. Either you have to be rich yourself, or be the handmaiden of rich backers.

Joel Cayford asks if building more roads - and even taking out loans in desperation - is the best infrastructure answer to questions confronting NZ's economic planners?

Brian Rudman on Auckland councillors caving in and selling Gulf Harbour Investments the freehold title to 5.5ha of strategic coastal land that provides access to the popular 936-berth marina.

Investigation: Council talks to manager accused of blacklisting firms but says there's no evidence he did.