In the third of our five-part Future Auckland series, we aim to stimulate debate.

The Herald understands Len Brown has the backing of his wife and has told his inner circle he wants to run again for the mayoralty, but may not have enough support.

This week the Herald looks at what Auckland needs to make it an even better place to live. Today we focus on its transport woes, and how to solve them.

A blue-green battle is looming over housing affordability and the reform of the Resource Management Act.

Auckland mayor Len Brown says the council will not put any ratepayer cash into building or running an international convention centre.

If this lack of regard for the financial resources of individual members of our community is to be curbed, it is critical that a strong message of opposition comes through from the community, writes George Wood, Dick Quax and Cameron Brewer.

'That's ratepayer money, it's just unbelievable'. Last week Tauranga City Council put in a $64k traffic island. This week it ripped it up.

Aucklanders have spent many, many years admiring what other cities have, but we're catching up now, writes Auckland Mayor Len Brown. There's a real sense of pride growing around our region.

While four million visitors enjoy the park each year, not one cent of the costs comes from rates or taxes, writes Michael Ayrton. That is thanks to the magnificent bequest of the "Father" of the city.

Got a problem? Then blame it on the Resource Management Act, writes John Armstrong. "Nick Smith is using the RMA as a smokescreen. The Auckland housing crisis is really a crisis of insatiable demand."

Auckland Council paid out $405,000 settling and defending personal grievances in the past year.

Claims that the high-profile pest control campaign "Battle For Our Birds" wiped out a group of nationally endangered birds are unfounded, the Department of Conservation says.

Film and television incentives have lifted the screen production industry out of the doldrums, prompting the Auckland Council to back new studios in West Auckland.

A ban on cars from the summit of Mt Eden, one of Auckland's best-known sightseeing spots, has overwhelming support in a new Herald-DigiPoll survey.

Motorists have forked out more than $100 million in parking and vehicle fines from Auckland Transport over four years - and owe plenty more.

A resource consent bid for a chicken egg layer farm of 310,000 birds in rural south Auckland has been rejected, because of fears it would be too stinky.

After slugging motorists with almost $10 million in bus lane fines since its formation in 2010, Auckland Transport says its enforcement efforts appear to be succeeding.

Losers dominated the year in New Zealand politics, while winners were few and far between, writes Bryce Edwards.

It was the year of the trier, a year when optimists who thought the worst of the bad times had passed and only sunshine lay ahead fell flat on their faces.

After a political year full of controversy over Nicky Hager's Dirty Politics revelations, the debates still won't go away, writes Bryce Edwards.

Plans to raise household rates in Auckland by 5.6 per cent next year and 4.5 per cent a year thereafter are due to approved for public consultation today.

An Auckland Council IT project originally budgeted to cost $71 million should be delivered for the new cost of $172 million, says a senior council executive.

Britomart has gone from decay to super cool, churning over $1.3 billion a year to the Auckland economy, says a book tracing the first 10 years of the redevelopment.

Catherine Delahunty writes: Gareth Morgan has many interesting opinions and is well informed but his opinion piece on Maori representation on local councils requires a response.

Auckland Council has undertaken a review of guidelines for methamphetamine-contaminated properties and developed tough new proposals to be implemented next month.

Key Auckland transport projects - including some on which work has already started - face long delays unless new funding can be found from road tolls or higher rates.

Dividing up the resources of any society normally involves exploiting the majority for the benefit of the minority, and NZ is no exception, writes Bryce Edwards.

If I were a bit doddery on my feet, or wheelchair-bound, I suspect I'd be delighted to be able to totter around the summit of Maungawhau/Mt Eden at my own pace.