Auckland ratepayers have paid $5200 to provide a personal gym for Mayor Len Brown in the Auckland Town Hall.

The Government has just set best-practice guidelines for fracking in various parts of the country.

The Hamilton City Council has voted overwhelmingly in favour of restarting fluoridating its water supply.

Four projects launched last decade to create or revitalise Auckland communities have endured hard times to reach milestones in their development.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has six weeks to plug a $16 million hole in this year's budget and achieve the goal of holding household rate increases at 3.6 per cent.

Are we doing enough? As another report lays out the benefits of a green economy science reporter Jamie Morton looks at what we're doing to achieve it.

Local authority cost blowouts will be flagged much earlier under Government changes being introduced, says a leader in the sector.

A plan by Auckland Mayor Len Brown to fill a $900,000 gap in the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust's running costs has hit a legal obstacle for council funding.

Len Brown will find it tough to be re-elected Mayor of Auckland, according to a new Herald-DigiPoll survey.

An Auckland man has won a battle against a towing company after his van was illegally towed from a private car park in Auckland's CBD.

Auckland Council has told activist Penny Bright to pay $29,000 owed in rates within 10 days or risk losing her Kingsland home.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown was right to act to end a costly court case involving the Auckland rescue helicopter trust and the regional amenities funding body.

Auckland Council debt, which was $4 billion three years ago, has now reached $6.5b, but the Mayor says there is a good balance between the super city's debts and assets.

Exceltium Corporate & Public Affairs owner Matthew Hooton is crowing from the rooftops after the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust won a victory against the body that decides its ratepayer funding.

An Auckland wheel-clamping company, which last year was accused of bullying, has gone into liquidation after being unable to keep up with debts.

Political parties and politicians treat voters with contempt when they refuse to be upfront about post-election coalition arrangements, writes Bryce Edwards

Government regulators have agreed to shut down Hamilton's six "legal high" synthetic drug shops.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says the council faces tough choices as part of a new 10-year budget that kicks off today.

Len Brown's principal policy adviser James Bews-Hair says the Auckland Mayor will be "political toast" if the council's credit rating is lowered.

Some cynics think plans for the country's biggest new skyscraper are just a lot of hot air but an Auckland Council boss says wind is something to be avoided.

It seems that many of our politicians are rather 'tricky' when it comes to mixing business, money and politics, writes Bryce Edwards.

Bryce Edwards says it could be argued that continuing strong polling is turning National's strong self-assurance into arrogance.

Climbing a man-made tree to see plants that live high in the forest canopy could soon be an activity on offer at Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Editorial: People usually reserve their greatest annoyance for things they believe have been imposed on them in a stealthy manner.

Just when David Cunliffe looked about to gather some serious momentum, revelations surfaced about his use of secret trusts for receiving political donations.

With a downed tree blocking their way, and live power lines sparking off the rain-lashed roof and bonnet, Bruce McDonald urged his teenage daughter to remain calm.

A glimpse at plans for the country's tallest new skyscraper shows how it will have open skydecks, with gardens or trees, and has been designed to reflect the Sky Tower.

Will Aucklanders be able to pay their rates and water bills at the same time and ring one telephone number to report a pothole or a noisy party?

New Act Party leader Jamie Whyte received a short sharp lesson on the unhealthy state of political debate in this country this week, writes Bryce Edwards.