The Government has embarked on a path to abolish building depreciation on virtually every building type and could hit depreciation claims on commercial building fit-outs in future, says Bayleys Valuations director John Freeman.

The trend for new housing consents jumped 15.5 per cent in April, to reach the highest level in two years, says Statistics New Zealand.

Phil Goff rejected mayoral pleas to reduce the height of the Mt Eden Prison development when he was Minister of Corrections in 2007.

A $218 million prison development towering over Auckland's Southern Motorway has horrified residents, principals and community leaders.

Auckland ratepayers will not automatically get a say in SkyCity plans to expand its convention centre over Federal St.

SkyCity wants to build the country's first international convention centre opposite its casino in downtown Auckland.

An apartment owner in one of the country's worst-affected rotting blocks wants to help thousands of others through the leaky building nightmare.

The government's description of the leaky building issue as a "natural disaster of huge proportions" is both a clever device and a dangerous precedent.

Leaky-home owners are likely to flood the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service with applications so they meet strict eligibility rules for aid.