An online tool has been launched to help voters match their values and concerns to candidates in three mayoral elections.

A Hastings election that otherwise might have been fought over dull big-picture issues has been blindsided by another big topic: water quality.

Homelessness, unemployment and infrastructure are key challenges facing one of the North Island's tourist hot spots, Rotorua.

Whether to accommodate out-of-towners or for residents struggling to find a house to put over their heads, the need for houses is strong in Taupo.

A local body candidate has been the victim of an apparent racist attack on one of her billboards.

Young people and migrants are the least interested sectors of the community in regards to local politics, according to a new survey.

Incumbent mayor Sheryl Mai says Whangarei's biggest challenge and strength is its growing population.

The exit of long-serving mayor Stuart Crosby has created a wide-open race for Tauranga's top job.

A Hamilton mayoral candidate has apologised for a mistake-ridden profile written in Te Reo Maori that was put together using Google Translate.

All the candidates seeking Rodney's single Auckland Council seat talk about them. And so do its long-suffering residents.

The issues in Whau are twofold: more community facilities and infrastructure, to match the intensification.

The sprawling Franklin ward has major infrastructure needs, say locals.

On the north side of the harbour bridge, road access is the core concern.

Residents in Orakei are adamant they are not "nimbys", but they are apprehensive about the impact more housing and more people will have on their patch.

COMMENT: Auckland Council has had an attack of the Mills & Boons and decided LOVE is the solution to its most pressing problem.

Clean and green is a key message in the Waitakere ward, as the environment continues to feature highly among residents' concerns.

The biggest issue facing Hamilton in next three years is growth and the city needs a leader who can plan for it with the right amount of infrastructure.

Median family income in the ward jumped 19.8 per cent from $58,600 in the 2006 Census to $70,200 in 2013.

Some of mayors are calling it quits this year. We look at the achievements of the departing civic leaders and the records of some seeking re-election.

As politicians pound the streets and make the most of every PR opportunity, there is a strict set of guidelines they must obey.

Watching the candidates for Mayor of Auckland I can't help wondering, do they know anything about the job they seek?

Auckland should follow the UK and charge about 10 cents for plastic supermarket bags, says Mayoral candidate and Labour MP Phil Goff.

With under three weeks until voting day, Super City reporter Bernard Orsman pens an open letter outlining the major challenges our new leader must tackle.

What would you rather have: cheaper wine or a free pair of pliers and a smoke alarm? Or a local stadium that gets funding from booze profits?

Election candidates are overlooking the young, Asians and the poor.

Auckland mayoral candidate Vic Crone has scrambled to defend herself after refusing to say if she believed in man-made climate change.

Police find "absolutely no evidence" of wrongdoing by Gisborne mayor Meng Foon and slam complainant for "inflammatory comments" on social media.

People in Howick are keeping demands for Council simple: protect their ward's "special character" while ensuring trips to the city are less of an ordeal.

Albany ward, like much of Auckland, is growing. But that change comes with worries.