Auckland Council recently released a video detailing how far it’s come with the urban design of the city centre over the last 10 to 15 years, as well as its vision for the years to come. 

Hear more from design champion Ludo-Campbell Reid.

The Albert St trench has reached its full 18-metre depth near Wyndham St. Now they are removing the 100-year-old stormwater pipe at the base of the trench before it can start building the tunnel box at the southern end of the trench. The current depth of the remainder of the trench varies between 3.5 to six metres but will continue to be excavated from south to north. Watch the latest video

Ports of Auckland has officially closed its second container terminal and demolished its oldest container crane. Next year, three new cranes able to carry up to four containers at once will be installed on a new berth that was completed this year. It will be the premium berth able to handle the biggest container ships. These projects and more are all part of the Port’s draft 30-year master plan. You can give feedback here.

A series of multi-coloured laser lights illuminating the Auckland night sky recently has marked the start of on-site construction work on The Pacifica, a new 56-storey skyscraper being built on Commerce Street in Auckland’s city centre. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020 – just in time for the next America’s Cup. Read more  

AKL City Tours is a brand new, free mobile application which hosts a variety of downloadable walking tours that stretch across Auckland’s central city. Find out more about public art, the history of fashion in the city, Christmas walking trails, heritage buildings and much more! Tours added and updated monthly. To find out more search for ‘AKL City Tours’ in the Apple App Store and The Google Play Store.

The Community Fridge - located at Griffiths Gardens on Wellesley Street - has been providing free food for people for a year. It is estimated that since the fridge was installed, more than four tonnes of food has been donated which is the equivalent to 11,000 meals.  

Click here for more informaton

• GridAKL,  in the Wynyard Quarter - is a tech centre that is helping Auckland become an innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific region
• Opened in 2014, the GridAKL precinct brings together more than 70 technology companies in the same area of the waterfront
• When all construction is complete in 2022, GridAKL is forecast to contribute $450 million in GDP to the Auckland economy annually

Summer’s arrived and Auckland Live is celebrating by throwing Auckland’s biggest backyard party in Aotea Square. From now until February, every day we will turn on the fun with endless entertainment, activities and events for everyone. With loads on offer, it’s FREE and family-friendly, so you and the whole whānau can make the most of summer in the city. Visit Auckland Live for the full programme.