Local Government Minister Rodney Hide stepped into a hotbed of discontent over his Auckland governance reforms at a public meeting of 120 in Devonport this week.

The Ombudsman has launched an investigation into whether an Auckland councillor knew she already had another job when she received a redundancy payout of more than $200,000.

Aucklanders could be penalised for not recycling as part of a move to streamline how the city's waste is collected.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has shown support for a cycling and walking path on the harbour bridge.

Council-owned industrial buildings at Wynyard Quarter earmarked for the axe.