Local Council
Ngāti Whātua takes Māori ward fight to High Court
The iwi has launched a legal challenge against the Kaipara District Council, which last month voted to abolish its Māori ward.
Council didn't listen to locals ahead of devastating flood - report
A review a flood that hit 400 homes in Wairoa has criticised Hawke's Bay Regional Council, with locals calling council staff "patronising" and "technocratic". Audio
Māori wards: Councils resentful about funding a binding poll
All but three of 45 councils which established the seats without a public referendum elected to retain the wards.
West Coast’s worst kept secret: Don’t mention the ‘A’ word
The possibility of council amalgamation on the West Coast - otherwise known as local government reform - has surfaced publicly this week at council meeting.
South Wairarapa mayor on Māori wards
At least 60 members of Ngāti Whātua filled the public gallery at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday morning to support the challenge against Kaipara's disestablishment of its Māori Ward. South… Audio
Review finds Hawke's Bay Regional Council lacked plan during Wairoa flood
A review into the flood that devastated Wairoa in June has found Hawke's Bay Regional Council lacked a proper plan for managing the river mouth and did not listen to locals who called for action… Audio
Calls for 4WD drive ban on Canterbury ‘river road’
The Waimakariri District Council will consider a proposal from DOC to close the upper Ashley Rakahuri River to vehicles while birds are nesting.
Wellington's Public Transport set to suffer after govt rejects funding bids says council
The cost of catching public transport in Wellington is likely to go up on the back of news the Greater Wellington Regional Council is facing a $143 million shortfall in government funding for bus… Audio
Rainbow crossing for Tauranga a ‘symbol of diversity and belonging’
Tauranga getting a rainbow pedestrian crossing after a six-year campaign is a sign it is "growing up".
Most dumped areas in Auckland revealed
More than 16,000 reports of illegal dumping were received between 2023 to 2024 but some subrubs are worse than others.
Decision time on Auckland's shorelines
Auckland Council is developing Shoreline Adaption Plans covering 3,200 kilometres of coastline, as our shores are battered by wilder weather. Audio
Homeowners pleased with extra funds for Sounds road rebuild
Homeowners in the Kenepuru Sound are "very pleased" more funding will be pumped into an effort to fix damaged roads in Marlborough.
Petrochemicals illegally dumped in Hutt Valley wastewater
An investigation has been launched into large quantities of highly flammable chemicals found in petrol and paint being illegally dumped down sewerage pipes in the Hutt Valley.
Council signed off funding for A&P show without consulting councillors
Christchurch City Council staff signed off $125,000 for this year's Canterbury A&P show without consulting councillors.
Ruapehu mayor hopeful Winstone Pulp stays open
Ruapehu's mayor is hopeful the government has worked out a last-minute deal with Winstone Pulp International to prevent its closure due to high wholesale power prices. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton… Audio
Ashburton's new bridge gets go ahead but who pays?
A second bridge for Ashburton is ready to go - on paper anyway - they just need the money - Jonathan Leask reports from mid-Canterbury Audio
NZTA agrees to cover $100m of Marlborough Sounds roads recovery
Repair work in the Marlborough Sounds will "accelerate" after the NZTA board approved $100m in funding.
Councils' credit ratings downgraded over debt, rising costs
A reduced rating will mean higher borrowing costs for two major city councils.
Far North council votes unanimously to keep Māori ward
The council's strongly worded resolution also called on the CEO to explore the legal implications of not holding a binding poll as required.
Tagging troubles: The city where graffiti reports tripled in a year
Graffiti more than tripled in Rotorua in the year to 30 June - costing ratepayers more than $100,000.