Slow start a worrying sign as survey shows many Kiwis feel they don't know candidates.

Wellington City Council is reviewing its parking ticketing systems after claims it's 'double-dipping' in order to make more money.

Housing Minister Nick Smith and Auckland mayor Len Brown were in their own homes before they left university. We asked them how they did it.

On the eastern edge of the Travis Wetland, a nature reserve in Christchurch's urban northeast, Lianne Dalziel, high-end camera in hand, is stalking a potter of pukeko.

Mayors throughout the country will become more powerful under new law changes set to come into action after October's local elections.

The 21 winners of Auckland's health board elections will be required to induce GPs to check more patients' hearts and offer more help to quit smoking.

Some high profile candidates in Auckland's local body elections are angry their profiles were left out of a booklet that goes out with voting papers.

As local body voting papers go out, the Herald examines the Super City's wards, analysing the big issues.

Mayor Len Brown is promising a rates rise of 2.5 per cent next year with inflation at 0.7 per cent - its lowest level in 14 years.

With the voters of Orakei having a bye for the ward seat on Auckland Council the focus shifts to the Local Board.

Brian Rudman fears the Joyce Team will conjure up some role for The Cloud in a future America's Cup regatta, dragging its "temporary" status out for years.

A group of the country's most senior police officers have attacked plans to allow city bars to stay open three hours later than pubs in the suburbs.

The images of themselves that people have chosen in an attempt to earn our support on billboards are unrelievedly unflattering, says Paul Little.

Spiralling rates and views blocked by high-rise developments may seem like First World problems to the poorest residents of Maungakiekie-Tamaki.

What's in a name? Plenty, when you're at the bottom of an alphabetically ordered ballot form. And that's why some local body candidates are changing their names.

The gloves are off in the Waitemata and Gulf ward to claim the prize of what the incumbent Mike Lee calls the capital of Auckland.

The prospects for Auckland redeveloping more of its formerly industrial waterfront and the fortunes of many big planned new city projects are being seen as enhanced.

One of Auckland's oldest and nearest golf clubs to the CBD is considering selling its 4th hole to get out of the financial rough as membership subscriptions dwindle.

After three years of trying to fit in with a fast city set, rural communities to Auckland's north are weighing up the worth of being under the Super City umbrella.

A model in body paint was publicly humiliated when Wellington councillor and mayoral candidate John Morrison told a packed charity art exhibition they would be showering together after the show.

John Morrison used to dream of spending his retirement growing vegetables and catching fish.

A man charged with threatening Wanganui mayoral candidate Michael Laws has appeared in court.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says he will push for a 2016 start to the $2.86b city rail link after promising voters he would have the project finished by 2017.

In the lead-up, the Herald is examining all 13 Super City wards, and analysing the big issues and contests.