Ocean and city views from the top floor of North Shore's new civic building are the best in town.

Embattled North Shore mayor Andrew Williams has told John Key prescription drugs may have been behind a ranting late-night text.

Developers maintain plan for apartments and cafe only viable use for old building.

One reason the North Shore City Council is looking at charging parking fees at its busway stations is a big rise in the rates it charges itself.

Some ratepayers have begun paying for the 2011 Rugby World Cup but a ratepayers group says the tourism and hospitality industry should pick up the tab.

Councils are staring at an estimated $6 billion legal bill to fix the country's leaky homes - with the crushing debt falling on ratepayers.

An 82-year-old woman who turned a dump into a native walkway is told to quit by the Navy.