Ports of Auckland will ask ships to slow down in and out of the harbour to save endangered whales in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Auckland Council is set to put the brakes this week on Ports of Auckland expanding its operations any further into the Waitemata Harbour.

Key issues on the future of Auckland, including Ports of Auckland expansion plans and apartments in the suburbs.

Port bosses express confidence mayoral investigation will vindicate their blueprint for further development.

Like a disc stuck on replay, Auckland's port company is at it again, seeking to advance its plan to reclaim more of the Waitemata Harbour for its operations.

The proposal to block the glorious views from Queens Wharf to the North Shore cones and the inner gulf islands is not a positive vision, writes Brian Rudman.

While Aucklanders debate the future of the city's port, work in progress in Wellington may decide its fate. Ministry of Transport officials are working on a National Freight Demand Study.

Auckland hapu and waterfront landowner Ngati Whatua o Orakei says there is no rush to formalise expansion plans for Ports of Auckland.

The latest plans to expand Waitemata Harbour for port business are set to be decided by Auckland councillors next week.

A political strategist who has trained National Party MPs says the Ports of Auckland colluded with right wing bloggers to undermine industrial action against the Ports of Auckland.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has the numbers to push ahead with filling in more Waitemata Harbour, a senior council source says.

Auckland councillors are being urged to effectively dump a review of port development options in favour of fast-tracking the latest expansion plans into law.

Leading Auckland business figures are squaring off ahead of a crucial vote today on reclaiming more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations.

Ports of Auckland is making a fresh bid to extend the city's port into the Waitemata Harbour after a public backlash last year sunk plans to expand 283m into the harbour.

Auckland's Queens Wharf is too small for the new generation of bigger cruise ships and may need a $10 million top-up from ratepayers.

The 2008 world champion Terenzo Bozzone will race in next month's inaugural Ironman 70.3 Auckland triathlon.

Ports of Auckland has been ordered to pay $40,000 for deliberately breaking the law by employing contractors during industrial action at the port.

Auckland has a choice if it wants to open up more of its waterfront - let the port expand into the Waitemata Harbour or lose cargo to Tauranga and Northland.

Auckland Council is considering cutting the number of unelected council-controlled organisations from seven to four.

The Maritime Union denies claims it will lose its dominance in the Ports of Auckland dispute due to the emergence of a new union.