Stories by Rowan Quinn
News
'Disgusted' Great Barrier islanders take waste woes to court
Residents on Great Barrier Island are going to the High Court in a bid to stop millions of cubic metres of Auckland waste being dumped off their coast - including from the America's Cup village.
Council arm spends $116k in battle over Auckland development
The legal bills are racking up as Auckland Council effectively fights itself in a battle over a central Auckland development.
Auckland cycleway: 'We've had a number of near misses' - Principal
Auckland primary school children have been verbally abused and almost hit by high speed cyclists on one of the city's most popular cycleways.
'Frustrating wait': Noise from Defence Force planes delays new homes
Work on hundreds of new Auckland homes is being delayed by a year because Auckland Council is worried about noise from engine testing at the New Zealand Defence Force's air base at Whenuapai.
Selfie takers are the latest threat to Auckland kauri
Selfie-seeking bush walkers are endangering kauri along one of Auckland's most popular walks.
'Don't you ever want to have a life?' - Goff considers mayoralty race
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says his wife, Mary, is asking if he "ever wants to have a life" as he considers running for mayor again.
Tamihere confirms Auckland mayoralty bid - hits out at Goff
Auckland has become a lap dog for central government which is imposing unfair taxes and constraints on the city, say John Tamihere and Christine Fletcher as they announce a bid to topple Mayor Phil…
John Tamihere set to run for Auckland mayoralty
John Tamihere looks set to announce he will run for the Auckland mayoralty.
School drops donations: 'Everybody is on the same playing field'
An Auckland primary school that stopped asking for annual donations is calling on the government to fulfill its promise to financially support such a move.
Auckland community aiming to get official name
An Auckland community that has a name - but doesn't officially exist - is trying to get on the map.
Pike River recovery operation enters critical phase
Work to flush explosive gases out of the Pike River mine tunnel is set to begin today as the operation to re-enter the mine enters a critical phase.
Auckland stadium backers try to win hearts with Xmas theme
The backers of downtown Auckland stadium are continuing to try to win the hearts and minds of Aucklanders, releasing a picture of the proposed venue decked out in Christmas decorations.
Super yacht 'oligarchs' to be charged for America's Cup close-up
Luxury yachts heading to Auckland to watch the America's Cup close-up could be charged thousands of dollars to anchor at sea and view the racing.
Sudden rate hike draws wrath of Auckland church leaders
Angry church leaders have been given an apology by Auckland councillors about a rates change that meant some were suddenly charged tens of thousands of dollars.
'You need the local journalist who picks up on that local issue'
A proposal to slash local journalists has some Aucklanders worrying their communities will fall off the news radar - and their leaders will be unaccountable.
Battle against Dome Valley dump plan gears up
A small community in the north of Auckland is gearing up to battle an international company that wants to build a rubbish dump in its backyard.
Downtown Auckland stadium: 'I am confident this proposal will fly'
The stadium could become the city's Sydney Opera House or Statue of Liberty - with a Kelly Tarlton's in its basement, say its backers.
Kauri dieback: Tracks that should be closed still open
An audit has found serious shortcomings in Auckland Council's attempts to fight kauri dieback threatening the Waitakere Ranges.
Up to 46 weeks' wait for potentially life-saving heart scans
South Auckland heart patients are waiting up to 11 months for a simple and potentially life-saving heart scan.
Eden Park rules mean big concerts turned away
Auckland has missed out on concerts by Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, Eminem and Billy Joel this year because the rules governing Eden Park are too strict, the park's management says.
Consortium reveals plans for Eden Park replacement
Plans for a 50,000-seat waterfront stadium in downtown Auckland that would replace Eden Park have been revealed. Video, Audio
Former PM slams mayoralty rumours as 'ridiculous'
Former prime minister Helen Clark says rumours that she's lining up to run for Auckland's mayoralty next year are "ridiculous."
Auckland Council uses DNA testing to identify canine criminals
Auckland Council is introducing DNA testing to identify canine criminals.
Council faces accusations of corruption over social housing
Urban Māori leader John Tamihere has accused Auckland Council of losing control of its "arrogant" and "corrupt" development arm and shutting out the poor.
Hundreds help to count homeless in Auckland
Organisers are crunching the numbers from the first regionwide census of Auckland's homeless population.