Four years since the creation of Whau - carved from areas previously managed by two different councils - residents still struggle to identify themselves as one ward.

As local body voting papers go out, the Herald examines the Super City's wards, analysing the big issues.

Mayor Len Brown is promising a rates rise of 2.5 per cent next year with inflation at 0.7 per cent - its lowest level in 14 years.

With the voters of Orakei having a bye for the ward seat on Auckland Council the focus shifts to the Local Board.

Spiralling rates and views blocked by high-rise developments may seem like First World problems to the poorest residents of Maungakiekie-Tamaki.

The gloves are off in the Waitemata and Gulf ward to claim the prize of what the incumbent Mike Lee calls the capital of Auckland.

After three years of trying to fit in with a fast city set, rural communities to Auckland's north are weighing up the worth of being under the Super City umbrella.

In the lead-up, the Herald is examining all 13 Super City wards, and analysing the big issues and contests.

Auckland Council has squandered public funds buying the 1885 Wong Doo building in Hobson St for partial preservation.

The talk is of big money and benefits of the Super City, but it's hard work for the hopeful politicians to convince their audience of 60 Milford residents that their lot has changed.

Farm paddocks are not there to sprout houses, Franklin Local Board chairman Andy Baker told a meeting to wrap up the new planning rulebook for the city this morning.

Making sure Franklin is not the forgotten part of town is the big issue for residents there.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is promising a post-election review of council-controlled organisations (CCOs), which could see the number trimmed from seven to four.

The Auckland Council is scaling back intensification plans for the city weeks before October's local body elections.

Much-publicised, long awaited changes to Auckland's canyon-like Federal St car rat run.

Port of Tauranga is holding up its inland port at Onehunga as part of the answer to avoiding further reclamation of the Waitemata Harbour for port business.

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

The council has promised to cap rates rises at 10 per cent, but some confused residents have seen their bills leap by almost twice that.

It will be another two years before Auckland Council has a single direct debit system for rates, making life difficult for some ratepayers in the meantime.

Tomorrow, Len Brown will be nominated for a second term as mayor of NZ's biggest and newest metropolis, the Supercity of Auckland.

The latest plans to industrialise and expand more of the Waitemata Harbour for port business are on the verge of becoming a reality.

The starter's gun for the Super City elections goes off tomorrow when candidate nominations open for the mayoral chain.