Auckland plans to spend $4.8 billion over the next 10 years on water projects as the city's population grows.

A little expansion or a step too far is the choice facing Aucklanders with the release of the latest plans to reclaim more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations.

Auckland has overtaken Sydney as a host of premier events in Australasia and is now second only to Melbourne, an industry study has found.

The Auckland Council has approved a 2.9 per cent rates increase this year.

Auckland rates will rise on average by 2.9 per cent this year under Mayor Len Brown's inflation-sensitive budget to be put to the council tomorrow for approval.

Auckland business leaders are sounding dire warnings about the Super City's future if citizens shun road tolls or higher rates and taxes to fund major transport improvements.

The Auckland Council is sitting on secret documents used to draw up a new planning rulebook for the city and instructed its top lawyer to keep them hidden from the public.

Aucklanders will get a say on reclaiming more of the Waitemata Harbour for port operations after a move to fast-track the latest plans into law was rejected yesterday.

Editorial: From the outset, one of the major worries about the Super City framework was the ability of the 21 local boards to respond to their suburbs' particular needs.

Super City reporter Bernard Orsman questions Auckland Mayor Len Brown about disclosing his election donations and if he would take money from SkyCity.

It would be great if Environment Minister Amy Adams could make up her mind about Auckland's new draft unitary plan, writes Brian Rudman.

Auckland has 2000 new sections ready to build houses on, says Mayor Len Brown, who last month claimed there was enough land for 15,000 homes.

Eight men accused of an alleged Auckland Super City voter scam have had their trial shifted to the High Court.

More than half of Auckland's residential land is to be rezoned for apartments and intensification to squeeze in a million extra people by 2040.

Last week, I started writing an open source user's guide to the Auckland Council, approaching those who have created and evolved the council.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is facing criticism for hiring a sixth "spin doctor" six months out from the official start of the local body elections.

Townhouses priced from $350,000 are part of an Auckland Council project to revitalise the once bustling middle-class suburb of Papatoetoe.

Giving building owners 10 years to strengthen earthquake-prone buildings would amount to an "execution order" for many heritage buildings, says the Auckland Council.

Work on creating tree-lined boulevards to connect Fanshawe St and Victoria Park with the waterfront at Wynyard Quarter will begin next month.

If you score the empty end of the Christmas cracker tomorrow, here's a substitute riddle to liven up the festivities.

Staff numbers have risen by 840 in the past year and wages have gone from a forecast $513 million to $670 million in the first two years of the Super City.

After 90 years at Western Springs, Auckland Zoo is opening a "show home" for endangered New Zealand species on Rotoroa Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Plans to shift the Warriors to Eden Park and build a $20 million venue for test cricket at Western Springs may proceed without the public having a proper say.

The Transport Minister and the mayor of Auckland have clashed over a report recommending plans for the city's transport network.

A lot is going well for the Super City after two years but it is still a work in progress with significant challenges, says the Auditor-General.

The powers that be within the Super City are floating an idea that would give some flesh to all those slogans about liveable, transformational and world class.