The Auckland Council does not know the true cost to ratepayers of Mayor Len Brown's latest budget plan.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown says he had to use his casting vote for a compromise over the port company's wharf extension dispute, in the absence of five councillors.

A fire-gutted derelict house has been described by neighbours as a glaring example of the need to crack down on unkempt and nuisance properties.

The average Auckland family will have to find an extra $200 a year from July to pay for Mayor Len Brown's latest budget plan.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown used his casting vote to accept a compromise proposal by the city-owned port company to stop extending the shorter of its two wharf extensions.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is proposing a 6.5 per cent rates increase today to spend more on transport.

Ports of Auckland is sitting on land with a commercial value of $2.2 billion, far greater than its $76 million value for port use, says an economist.

The Auckland Chamber of Commerce is supporting a halt of work on two large wharf extensions into the Waitemata Harbour.

More than 1000 people have signed an online petition protesting a West Auckland McDonald's from operating 24 hours a day.

Port protesters are targeting Mayor Len Brown to stop work on two huge wharf extensions into the Waitemata Harbour.

Supporters of the threatened Takapuna Beach Holiday Camp rallied in support of the seaside North Shore facility at a public meeting last night.

A ban on cars from the summit of Mt Eden has been confirmed as likely by the end of this year.

Ports of Auckland is proceeding with two huge wharf extensions, despite public protests, a political call to halt work and a legal challenge against consents for the work.

Ports of Auckland's work on two massive wharf extensions into the Waitemata Harbour is proceeding despite public protests and a political call to halt work.

Two large Fletcher cranes have appeared at the end of Bledisloe Wharf at the Ports of Auckland, but it is not known if this signals a start to work on two wharf extensions.

The stand-off between Ports of Auckland and Auckland Council over a political call to stop work on two wharf extensions enters its fourth week today.

The present city administration's desire to keep politics out of council affairs plays right into the hands of the bureaucrats, the powerful, and "council-controlled organisations", writes Brian Rudman.

A legal challenge to the lawfulness of two wharf extensions in the Waitemata Harbour will be heard in June.

Several councillors have leapt to the defence of Ports of Auckland, the council-owned company facing public and political pressure to halt work on two new wharf extensions into the Waitemata Harbour.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government would be willing to work with Labour MP Phil Goff if he becomes Auckland mayor.

Pressure is growing on Ports of Auckland to stop construction of two massive wharf extensions into Waitemata Harbour.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has conceded the first he knew about two wharf extensions at the Ports of Auckland was from the Herald.

For younger readers, Sambo's story may need some introduction, writes Peter Calder. Published in 1899, it was the first book of Edinburgh-born Helen Bannerman, who spent much of her life in southern India.

Ports of Auckland plans to build two large extensions at the end of Bledisloe Wharf. So what's all the fuss? We explain it here.

A multimillion-dollar contract to build two finger wharves at Ports of Auckland is up in the air because of legal and political manoeuvres.

The port's plans for expansion into the Waitemata will irrevocably ruin the connection between the central city and the harbour, writes Greg McKeown.