A sea wall is to be built at one of Auckland's most popular beaches in a $5 million plan to try to stop storms ripping out chunks of its grassy park and currents carrying away its sand.

It bemuses me the way the major political parties go to so much trouble to disguise their interest in running Auckland Council, Brian Rudman writes.

The Auckland Council intends to hold a debate and a vote on whether to oppose exploratory oil drilling in an area of seabed off the west coast.

All-hours ban on drinking liquor in streets, carparks and playground.

Four years ago the Hauraki Gulf Forum's "State of our Gulf" report warned of widespread decline in the condition of its water and birds and marine life.

The Auckland Council has been struggling to work out how to preserve the city's heritage in housing.

Council's bloopers tape shows why asking Aucklanders to trust builders and developers is a step too far, says Brian Rudman.

Christine Fletcher writes an open letter to Phil Goff, warning him of the "shambles" in its local government as he considers standing for mayor.

State house tenants from around New Zealand plan to march on Parliament against Government plans to sell 1600 houses in Tauranga and Invercargill.

New Zealand Cup and Show week was previewed in Christchurch yesterday with a business breakfast to celebrate the annual event's influence in the region.

Council takes leap of faith to give another chance to Black Power member who was jailed for assault and grievous bodily harm.

There is relentless scrutiny and although customers and shareholders may be a tough crowd at times for a corporate CEO, ratepayers present an even more challenging constituency, writes Mark Thomas.

Auckland's point of difference is not the glories or supremacy of one ethnicity over another, but our place in the Pacific as a smorgasbord of cultures and ethnicities, writes Brian Rudman.

Auckland has grown by around 100,000 people since amalgamation in 2010, writes Auckland's Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse.That's the population of Lower Hutt.

Rangi Tikitiki's is tired of "being a refugee in my own country", he's been on a waiting list for a Housing NZ home since before he began camping at the park.

New Zealand has such a rich history of extraordinary and ground breaking women in sport, politics, academia and the arts, writes Cathy Casey. How should we celebrate their achievements?

Wesley College to be demolished and relocated elsewhere for new small town hosting thousands of new homes.

The council is planning to redesign Freyberg Place. This is one of our most urban public places but the vision we've seen in the Herald is for a bush walk.

Used nappies, beer bottles, takeaway cups, your Herald - all items that are likely to end up in the bin once they're finished with.

If you met nurse Lisbeth Alley or former landscaper Robyn Laurenson on the street, the word guerrilla would probably not be the first description you would reach for, writes Catherine Smith.

"It's not the world's most beautiful building."

The city's arts, culture and civic precinct around Aotea Square is fighting back against the drift of corporate offices, apartments, shops and restaurants.

Auckland councillors have been kept in the dark about a Maori word being added to the name of a new development agency for the Super City.

A Maori word has been added to the name of a development agency for the Super City at the eleventh hour.

Raw sewage on central Auckland beaches has outraged residents who walk and swim there.

Demographic changes could see central Auckland schools pull in more students from areas already losing thousands.

Aucklanders won't be able to choose their next council at the click of a mouse because it is too big.

Wellington City Councillor Iona Pannett applauded Porirua's move but said there were no plans to introduce a similar bylaw in the capital.