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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Solicitor-General has ruled that Graham McCready does not have enough evidence to bring a private prosecution against Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

Labour's electoral fortunes suddenly appear to hang on the appointment of an unelected backroom parliamentary official largely unknown by the public, writes Bryce Edwards.

Labour's Maori Affairs spokesman Shane Jones has slammed a new rule requiring Auckland property owners to seek iwi approval to work on sites significant to Maori.

The boss of the Ruataniwha dam project has defended his $84k pay hike, saying the ensuing criticism is 'just the reality of a high-profile public role.'

The review is likely to result in council-controlled organisations being put on a tighter leash governing what they can do without council approval, writes Mai Chen.

A new rule requiring homeowners and businesses to seek iwi approval to work on sites of cultural and heritage value to Maori is set to be debated by councillors today.

Will this election year be the 'Year of the blogger'? Politics lecturer Bryce Edwards examines the issue in his regular round-up of the political scene.

The North Shore is losing popular events, like the Devonport Food and Wine Festival and Wag 'n Walk Day, says the area's former mayor.

Everyone's a critic when it comes to David Cunliffe at the moment, writes Bryce Edwards in his regular round-up of the NZ political scene.

The Green Party has suspended low-ranking candidate David Hay for attacking the party's leaders and releasing internal documents.

Mayoress Shan Inglis yesterday accompanied her husband Len Brown to the Howick Military Tattoo - an event from which the mayor had been told to stay away.

Taurima's actions are just so shockingly naive, writes Matt McCarten. Ironically, the consequences of his actions may well make it harder for the very party he wanted to represent.

I can understand why the organisers of the Howick Military Tattoo want Auckland Mayor Len Brown to stay away this weekend, writes Kerre McIvor.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is not ruling out reappointing his former mistress Bevan Chuang to the council's ethnic peoples advisory panel.

Battle between Colin Craig and Russel Norman could be just the first round in an ongoing conflict that will feature this election year, writes Bryce Edwards.

Labour's decision to back the fast-tracking of Auckland's $2.86 billion city rail link at this year's general election is the good news.

A 27-year-old Navy sailor has been allowed to remain on duty after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of trainee teacher Tarun Asthana.

A 27-year-old naval rating has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of trainee teacher Tarun Asthana.