Michalis Rokas - European Union Charge d'Affaires talks to political editor Audrey Young.

Tourism chief Martin Snedden is fighting construction of a concrete cycleway running past the family holiday home even though it is considered a boon for tourists.

He may have failed to become Auckland's first Pasifika mayor, but now the Rev Uesifili Unasa has his sights set on furthering his political career - at a national level.

New Zealanders would rather have an internet tycoon feed their cat while they're on holiday than an under-fire mayor and two former right-wing politicians, a poll shows.

It was a tumultuous and colourful year in politics, littered with downfalls, fiascos and failures, writes Bryce Edwards.

A round-up of some important and interesting items in the mainstream media and blogosphere that you might have missed over the last few weeks.

The pressure on Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer has eased after it was found that a free trip he took to Port Douglas was declared in the council gift register in 2011.

What Brown did destroyed his reputation. He may resign after he has had the summer to ponder his options. But I suspect he won't, writes Matt McCarten.

Auditor-General Lyn Provost is the right person to take inquiries into Len Brown's relationship with the SkyCity hotels and casino operator to the obvious next stage.

What the councillors said about the Len Brown verdict.

The Brown hearing was more akin to a show trial, writes Brian Rudman.

The manner in which Mr Brown has brazened it out with the council and the people this week shows he doesn't really get that his tide has gone out. The city needs a new leader.

Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer, who has been baying for Mayor Len Brown's blood for not declaring gifts, has admitted not declaring a four-day junket to the Gold Coast.

Amid calls of "shame on you'' from the gallery, Auckland Mayor Len Brown was thrown a lifeline by his councillors when they voted to censure him but did not hold a vote of no confidence.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says his council's decision to censure him today was "fair but very firm" and appropriate.

Auckland Council is paying $60.7 million for Auckland University's home for cricket and rugby.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown could face a vote of no-confidence tomorrow, with a quarter of the city's councillors proposing the motion.

Auckland mayor has said he is copping "a fair old whack around the ears" this "annus horribilis" and repeated his failure to declare hotel freebies was 'a lack of clarity' on his part,

Officials in New Zealand's leading oil and gas region are rejecting claims that cows are being allowed to graze on land polluted by waste from mining and fracking operations.

Auckland councillors have agreed to censure Mayor Len Brown after a five-hour meeting today to decide how to punish him over fallout from his sex scandal.

There's been a battle over the weekend about how to interpret, sell, and spin the asset sales referendum results, writes Bryce Edwards.

Civic leaders on Auckland's North Shore are trying to get a public pool designed for kids to "let loose" on playing features without disturbing mature patrons trying to exercise.

Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the upgrades arithmetic, the mayor's reputation is in tatters, writes Brian Rudman. His redemption, and his legacy, now relies on him delivering the goods.

Embattled mayor Len Brown tomorrow faces an angry council seeking to blunt his powers in the wake of the mayoral sex scandal.

Political campaign worker Luigi Wewege pocketed $13,000 for just three months' work on John Palino's failed Auckland mayoral bid - a sum that has surprised volunteers on other political campaigns.

Len Brown says he is no lame-duck mayor after a damning report found he failed to declare more than $39k in free hotel rooms and upgrades.

The report into Auckland Mayor Len Brown's use of council resources was finally issued yesterday after legal wrangling delayed its release.