Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino is promising to build a smart, green new city - possibly at Manukau.

Bumpy footpaths, traffic jams and shabby buses were some of the issues raised by school pupils with Auckland Mayor Len Brown yesterday.

The key to saving the St James Theatre is not to aim for a grand restoration but simply to make it safe and open its doors, writes Margot McRae.

Ngati Whatua might develop up to 100 residences on its 4.2ha Wakakura block near Devonport.

"Each time there are flurries of outrage from groups of tenants facing a 21- year land rent review, my first thought is, what did they expect?" writes Brian Rudman.

Bullying at a Waikato council is rife and an inquiry is needed to address the systemic and "toxic" problem which has resulted in 120 suspected cases, claims one councillor.

Reverend Uesifili Unasa wants to keep his mayoral election campaign cleaner than the spotless white robes he wears to deliver his Sunday sermons.

SkyCity Entertainment Group's slight drop in bottom-line profit left the investment community cold, as the business faces a huge transformation and capital expenditure.

Key issues on the future of Auckland, including Ports of Auckland expansion plans and apartments in the suburbs.

The council has promised to cap rates rises at 10 per cent, but some confused residents have seen their bills leap by almost twice that.

Auckland mayoral candidate the Rev Uesifili UNasa may be looking for some divine intervention, having launched his campaign at church.

Firebrand former mayor Michael Laws says Wanganui people are urging him to don the mayoral chains again.

Len Brown's Auckland Council has spent more than $5.1 million on pollsters and surveys in the past three years.

Meng Foon loves food. So much so that the Gisborne mayor has taken to posting on Facebook pictures of nearly every dinner he cooks, complete with commentary.

The Conservative Party is entering the local body elections with a team of 22 candidates standing in Auckland

West Auckland local board candidates are fuming over the late bid by Auckland Transport to change the bylaw concerning roadside election advertising signs.

Plans to intensify transport corridors and develop the harbour edge are on a collision course with expansion and container growth at the Ports of Auckland.

One of the few Auckland councillors to make a real difference in the first term of the Super City, Sandra Coney, is stepping down at October's local body elections to focus on issues closer to home by standing for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

I am tired of this liberal welfare-state namby-pamby that we have an obligation to help out the less fortunate, writes Ananish Chaudhuri.

A law change to allow the Government to override councils in order to free up land for housing developments was opposed by a slim majority of New Zealanders surveyed.

Wellington gives a "very confused picture of itself" to the rest of the country.

Is the maor on the path to the 'world's most liveable city' or has he squandered his opportunities?

Councils spent $700 million more than they earned in the past financial year, leading to the worst operating deficit on record.

Fletcher Developments wants new houses to be taller than the Auckland Council is proposing.

Wellington's earthquakes have put the spotlight back on seismic issues.

Nominations are now open for council elections and our two largest cities find themselves with practically no mayoral contest.

A clamping company charging people $100 for parking for as little as a minute in a carpark have been accused of bullying.

Building park-and-ride facilities is the first transport priority for Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino, whose long-term solution is to build satellite centres where people can live, work and play.