NZ Herald Supercity reporter Bernard Orsman says it's been a few weeks of drama around the Auckland Council budget, which finally passed last week after months of public debate and contentious final meetings.
Wayne Brown's first budget as Mayor was approved by a vote of 14-6, with one abstention. Majority agreement was reached to sell a 7 per cent stake in Auckland Airport.
And it's a big day for motorists in the region today with the opening of the long awaited 18 kilometre, $880m Puhoi to Warkworth motorway.