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Gisborne District Council has shown its support for retaining Māori wards as the government looks to bring back binding referendums.

Whangārei's acclaimed, but controversial, Hundertwasser Art Centre could run out of money by October 2025 - which means ratepayers may have to stump up to keep it open. Audio

Masterton's mayor says holding a referendum for an already established Māori ward is an expense "we don't need" for an issue that has already been debated.

Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana says a referendum would allow its people to decide whether to join the United Nations and separate from New Zealand.

Māori ward councillors say the government's plan to reintroduce referendums for councils to bring in their role is absurd and cruel.

Reversing councils' ability to decide on Māori wards is "complete overreach by central government", LGNZ says.

The proposals under the amendment bills include increasing the number of members of Cabinet from four to six and expanding the term of the Assembly from three to four years.

Councils that brought in Māori wards without polling residents will need to hold one - or scrap the wards they had set up, the government says.

Vanuatu's deputy leader of the opposition and other office holders in the opposition are getting huge pay rises.

Analysis - The French Senate on Tuesday endorsed a Constitutional review project bearing significant modifications to the local electoral rules for New Caledonia, but with amendments.

After Vanuatu experienced three different prime ministers in the second half of 2023, reformers hope that the 2024 laws will usher in a new era of political stability, writes Jon Fraenkel

A round-up of news in brief from around the region, including a death in Kiribati from rotavirus and Vanuatu referendum.

A round-up of news in brief from around the region, including Cook Islands doctors to soon undergo training on how to prescribe medical marijuana.

The minister overseeing the implementation of independence has warned ratification of the referendum is not Bougainville's only path to independence.

Analysis - An "organic law" to postpone New Caledonia's provincial elections has on Monday passed the final hurdle and was endorsed by the French National Assembly.

In a surprise move, Leo Varadkar resigned 12 months before the next election.

On 29 May, the people of Vanuatu will be asked to vote on a referendum that aims to overcome the country's persistent political instability. Audio

A round-up of news in brief from around the region.

Voters in the Republic of Ireland have overwhelmingly voted against amending the wording of the Irish Constitution.

Lobby and campaign groups spent 13 times more on the 2023 election campaign than in 2020.

A round-up of news in brief from around the region.