High level research plans have been developed for five of the six research themes, and are presented together in this volume. The exception is the Climate Change and Energy research theme. At the time of developing the Auckland Council Research Strategy and Priority Research Areas 2013 – 2016, Auckland Council was also preparing the Energy Resilience and Low Carbon Action Plan, released in July 2014. The research and investigations supporting that document were part of an existing work stream - please refer to that document and supporting evidence. These five research plans expand on the priority research areas. They provide an overview of the existing knowledge base, as well as the specific direction and questions for research projects that will be developed with research stakeholders throughout Auckland Council.