Helen Worboys
New government eyes dumping RMA, Three Waters reforms by Christmas
Parliament was a hive of activity over the weekend as the new team running the country moved into the beehive.
Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his cabinet will be sworn in at Government… Audio
Councils seek certainty over water assets due to change of government
Councils want more certainty over what the change of government means for their water assets, and their finances.
To the delight of councils opposed to Three Waters, National has promised to start… Audio
National and Labour at odds over water services
National and Labour are at odds about how $185 billion bill will be paid for water services if Three Waters doesn't go ahead.
National plans to scrap the contested Three Waters scheme within its… Audio
Man shot and killed by police in Feilding overnight
A man was shot and killed by police in Feilding last night.
The shooting came after an eight-hour standoff that began in the early afternoon.
The standoff began after the man allegedly shot at his… Audio
Opponents and supporters of three waters respond to changes
For opponents to the government's planned three waters reform, changes announced yesterday doesn't do enough to address concerns over community ownership and local decision making.
For supporters… Audio
Local Government leader reacts to three waters changes
The government has unveiled its shake-up of the three waters reforms, abandoning plans to establish four mega water entities.
Instead it will create 10, which will still be owned by local councils… Audio
Government set to unveil changes to three waters reforms
The government will today unveil changes to its three waters reforms after feedback from local government.
The main issue some councils had had with the government's plans was around who would own… Audio
Manawatū council votes to reduce Local Government NZ fee
A North Island council has voted to reduce the fee it pays to Local Government New Zealand, in protest against the Three Waters reforms.
Manawatū District Council says LGNZ signed an agreement not to… Audio
Manawatu residents still shovelling mud off properties
Manawatu residents are still shovelling mud out of their flood-damaged properties after last week's downpour.
For three days those living along Reu Reu Road in rural Manawatu, about 30 kilometres… Audio
Manawatū flooding: Roads still cut off
Many roads in Manawatū remain cut off by flooding, some people can't return to their homes, and helicopters have flown over isolated communities to assess the damage from two torrential downpours to… Audio
Three waters: Mayors arrive in Wellington to discuss reforms
Twenty-three of the country's mayors are headed to Wellington to voice their opposition to water reforms.
Communities 4 Local Democracy, or He hapori mō te Manapori, is a new local government… Audio
Feilding streets closed due to overnight flooding
Several streets in the Manawatu town of Feilding are closed and emergency services worked through the night after a deluge of rain flooded parts of the region.
A Fire and Emergency says it had more… Audio
Fatal crash between bus and train in Bunnythorpe
Jesse speaks to Manawatu District Council Mayor, Helen Worboys, following a fatal collision between a bus and train near Palmerston North. Audio
Small towns given boost for quake-prone buildings
The government is changing the way it manages earthquake-prone buildings in small towns, to take some of the cost off owners. At the moment strengthening work has to be done if alterations cost more… Audio
Manawatu council to improve communication after water crisis
Mayor of Manawatu: we will do better with information around crises. Audio
Ohakea water contamination: Neighbours demand answers
Farmers and a young family whose water supply's been contaminated by Air Force firefighting chemicals are demanding assurances their health isn't at risk. The chemicals have been linked to cancer and… Audio
Feilding community plans candle-light vigil
As we have been reporting this morning, Feilding residents are once again reeling from a tragedy in their community. Audio