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.

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

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

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

An issue at the heart of Auckland's draft unitary plan is whether the density of housing should be raised in parts of the city.

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

Seattle's an economic engine, a leader in sustainability and a hub for culture and creativity, writes Dr Ann Bartos and John Mauro. It could easily be Auckland.

We have a huge growth challenge in our city, but with that challenge we have an equally great opportunity, writes Auckland mayoral candidate Joe Palino.

Support for the draft Unitary Plan is "melting faster than snow in sunshine" amid widespread anxiety over intensive housing proposals.

Consultants have been paid $1.6 million for work on Auckland Council's Yard 37 marine precinct development.

Public submissions on Auckland Council's draft unitary plan close this week. View a map of the draft unitary plan here.

The draft plan and the housing accord have led to fear, uncertainty and distrust in both the process and in those promulgating the plan, writes Christine Rose.

Whether it's walls of apartments on the ridges overlooking Browns Bay or 18-storey high rises in Newmarket, the council is facing a chorus of complaints.

Intensification of housing needs to be matched by intensification of amenities, writes Dr Jamie Hosking. It must be sensitive to heritage and design values,

SkyCity's rivals say its pokie machines will earn more if Auckland Council heeds calls for a regional sinking lid policy on gaming venues.

Residents of central Auckland fringe suburbs such as Mt Eden, Parnell and Orakei are getting riled at their streets becoming free parking lots for commuters.

Sometimes it takes an outside eye to reveal the full extent of a change in circumstance.

A public meeting of about 500 people has told the Auckland Council to rethink its intensification plans for the city, start listening to communities and stop spinning.

Half of suburban Auckland could be built up with three-storey apartments and residents will have no say when developers move into their street.

The continued sprawl of New Zealand towns and cities across productive land is a concern, writes Deb Milliken. It is a particular concern around Auckland.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is refusing to help a community battling plans by hardware giant Bunnings to build a big box retail store alongside homes and kindergartens.