John Key says the SkyCity convention centre plan grew in both size and "flashness" until public backlash persuaded the Government not to spend any more money on it.

A National Party gathering in Auckland has been hijacked by protesters this afternoon, with police removing at least two people that infiltrated the building.

SkyCity is no longer seeking a government contribution to build its controversial convention centre. Do you agree with the backdown?

The Prime Minister can see no evil in SkyCity's demand for a "top-up" for its renovations, writes Paul Little.

Bill English really is the bad cop in the Govt's brinksmanship with SkyCity over just whose pockets will be picked to pay for the $70m to $130m cost overrun for the convention centre.

How corrupt is the Government’s SkyCity convention centre deal? asks Bryce Edwards.

SkyCity's new advertising campaign takes the warm and cuddly approach in stressing the company's community links, writes John Drinnan. At the same time, it is developing a reputation as an aggressive player with media.

While negotiating with the Government here on its Auckland project, SkyCity is considering spending more than the $366m it originally planned on its Adelaide property.

I think Andrew Little might have had his first Tony Abbott moment at Waitangi last Friday.

The convention centre agreement was sold as a deal that wouldn't cost taxpayers a cent - despite a clause that put them in the gun for any increased costs, Labour says.

Andrew Little appears to have been blessed by the gods of timing, writes Claire Trevett. Hot on the tails of Mike Sabin's resignation came the revelation SkyCity wanted a bit of taxpayer cash.

Stumping up taxpayer money to help meet SkyCity’s cost over-runs on the convention centre is now the Government’s “least preferred” option.

SkyCity Entertainment Group's shares rose after Prime Minister John Key wouldn't rule out using taxpayer cash to fund budget over-runs during construction.

Prime Minister John Key won't rule out using taxpayer money to stop SkyCity's convention centre becoming an "eyesore".

Auckland could boost SkyCity Entertainment Group's half-year result issued on Wednesday but Adelaide could drag it down.

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

SkyCity and the Government have managed to get their estimates about the cost of the international convention centre proposed for Auckland spectacularly wrong,

We show you how SkyCity's new convention centre would look in central Auckland, as details are revealed for the first time in its resource consent applications.

SkyCity's convention centre proposal has hit fresh turbulence as several high-profile former supporters declined to back the use of public funds to meet cost overruns.

SkyCity often talks up its regional operations, but the beating heart of its business is centred in Auckland where its flagship property generates two-thirds of the company's earnings.

The SkyCity convention centre deal has returned to haunt the Government - and provoke new controversy. In the first of a two-part series, David Fisher investigates.

SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison has just talked this taxpayer out of an Auckland convention centre.

There's an old maxim in poker - "If you don't know who's getting screwed, get up and walk away from the table because it is you."

City comes out swinging over Government suggestion that ratepayer cash be used to prop up SkyCity's international convention centre.