Auckland Council and its web of agencies employ 143 communications, public relations and marketing staff and in its first two years spent $60 million on getting the word out about itself.

"What controls will be imposed to ensure the good design of the new terrace housing and apartment blocks?" asks Brian Rudman. "What noise controls will be set in place?"

Auckland Council will test water running off a new artificial sports field after fears were raised that a layer made from recycled car tyres leached toxic chemicals.

Intensification isn't just about getting more height; it's about being smarter with what we have, writes Rob Hutchison.

Auckland Council has handed a map to the Milford Residents Association and urged it to have a go at drawing an appropriate location for higher-density housing.

Six major retailers are decrying the unitary plan, accusing Auckland Council of trying to design shops and force everyone on to public transport.

A new rulebook that sets out to build high-rise apartments and turn rural land into housing is becoming a tough ask for Auckland Mayor Len Brown and his deputy Penny Hulse.

Red tape is about to take the spice out of the ethnic food served up to thousands of Aucklanders each year, say some festival operators.

With more than 50,000 people living in Auckland's CBD, it's no longer just the retailers and the businesses being inconvenienced, writes Brian Rudman.

Auckland house prices are predicted to rise a further 12 per cent over the next year, with the nationwide average jumping almost $40,000 by the end of the year.

A former Takapuna Grammar student, who migrated from Malaysia 12 years ago, has just completed one of this year's biggest commercial property deals.

Auckland Museum is being touted as a green example for other city organisations after it succeeded in slashing its carbon footprint by 30 per cent in just two years.

Large parts of the country's building stock will be off-limits for disabled people under a proposal to trim the cost of upgrading thousands of earthquake-prone buildings, advocacy groups have warned.

Runners say an Auckland City Council decision to prohibit the use of the Hillary Trail in West Auckland for an off-road running event is bizarre and makes no sense.

As they did on the afternoon of March 17, tens of thousands of Aucklanders take to Facebook and Twitter to express their amazement that their seemingly quake-free city has had a rumble.

Auckland Council and the Government will create a working party to look at urgent issues relating to the city's housing crisis.

Housing Minister Nick Smith appears to be taking a more conciliatory approach to Auckland's housing crisis as he prepares to meet Mayor Len Brown to discuss the issue today.

There will be few new faces around the Auckland Council chamber after October's local body elections, with most councillors standing for re-election and little sign of strong contenders to oust the incumbents.

A fee for tapping into the waterworks in parts of Auckland has gone up by 900 per cent in the past two years - from less than $850 to almost $8000.

Damien Grant writes: By law, Watercare has to keep the overall costs of water at minimum levels.

We rate how Len Brown has fared on his 2010 election pledges.

In the months ahead Aucklanders can sample the city's vibrant cultures, writes Alexia Santamaria.

"Who wins when the Auckland Council and the Government do not agree on the approach to affordable housing?" asks Mai Chen. "Or when Auckland's unitary plan should take effect?"

Brazil, Nepal and Finland are among far-flung countries visited by Super City staff, who have racked up a $10.5 million domestic and international travel bill in two years.

Ask Phoebe Ratepayers in Rodney District are charged a levy of $89.34 a year, allegedly to support the transfer stations in our area whether we use them or not.

The towns of Pukekohe and Warkworth and communities served by the Northwestern Motorway are among rural areas earmarked to contribute to Auckland's population.