A shake-up of how and where we bury the dead has prompted a city council to raise the "terrifying" possibility of people simply digging a hole and "putting granny in it".

Auckland Mayor Len Brown last night defended salaries of nearly $800,000 a year for two senior council executives, telling a public meeting, "You have got to meet the market."

The council voted to save $3 million by not cutting grass berms in the old Auckland City area. Was this a good move? Have your say here.

Local Government New Zealand and the New Zealand Initiative are calling for more public services to be provided by local government and funded by local taxes.

Opinions on who should mow the berms in Blakey St, Onehunga reflect the wider debate that's raging in Auckland.

Auckland City residents should follow the rest of the region, take pride in their community - and mow their own berms, says a councillor.

Former Cantabrian Ted Smith spent two weeks looking for a home in Auckland when he moved after the earthquakes in 2011, and "fell in love" with the West.

The Herald asked the 15 mayoral candidates for Auckland to answer three key questions in their own words.

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

The possibility of a Parnell park being traded as prime waterfront real estate in a Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement has prompted an outcry from groups.

Auckland's housing supply shortage will continue because the new Unitary Plan has not gone far enough, one expert says.

For the first time in my life, I'm finding it hard to argue against those who can't be bothered voting in the upcoming election, writes Brian Rudman.

With grass shooting up in the warm and moist spring, mayoral candidate John Palino is promising to reinstate mowing the council-owned berms in the old Auckland City area.

Auckland Council's highlights of the past year include a $1.3 billion spend on improving community facilities.