Local Council
Councils complain huge rate rises result of government rules
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour admitted councils were lumbered with rate rises because of central government regulations.
Councils blindsided by government call to halt planning work
The shake-up, tied to RMA reforms, will have "unintended consequences", councils warn.
Christchurch nurses sleeping in cars to get a car park
Christchurch's mayor has told his councillors that hospital workers are sleeping in their cars just so they can get a car park. Nurses Organisation delegate at Christchurch Hospital Gayl Marryatt… Audio
Gore mayor Ben Bell fires back on tough first term
The mayor has labelled a recent account of his tumultuous first term as "bullying".
New Plymouth is winning the war on rats
Taranaki is winning the war on rats, but may lose its local Polytech - Robin Martin has the stories Audio
Scandal and a scramble in the battle for Wellington's mayoralty
Leaks, lies and leadership. The Wellington mayoral race was shaping up to be dull - but now a dirty politics scandal is splitting the capital.
How friendly-fire torpedoed a mayoral campaign
Leaks, lies and leadership. The Wellington mayoral race was shaping up to be dull but now a dirty politics scandal is splitting the capital. Audio
Rotorua homeless provided with sleeping pods, council chases consent
A Rotorua organisation providing sleeping pods for the city's homeless says they're being held back by council insisting that they get consents. The Village of Hope has been set up in a secret… Audio
Government to halt council planning work
Senior Cabinet Minister Chris Bishop has launched a broadside at local government at a conference in Otautahi-Christchurch.The RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister has said councils are crying out… Audio
More dogs going unregistered in Invercargill
Challenges with dog registrations in the region came to light at a Tuesday council meeting.
Hospital workers sleeping in cars to try secure a car park - mayor
Workers have been pleading for better parking because of unaffordable fees at nearby car parks and staff safety concerns.
Gore Mayor Ben Bell to seek second term
New Zealand's youngest ever mayor intends to seek a second term. Reporter Timothy Brown has more. Audio
Scandal, division and rumours at Gore District Council
Watch: RNZ checks in on what's been a tumultuous term and looks ahead to what October's election might hold. Audio
Whanganui backs new water services body with Ruapehu
Whanganui councillors have voted 8-5 to form a new entity with Ruapehu to manage the delivery of water services.
Cheaper, greener, more Māori: New Plymouth council to buy local
New Plymouth councillors reckon buying local could save money - and bring growth, green gains and more mahi for Māori.
Council wants more powers to deal with roaming dogs
Councils need more control over managing dog-related issues from the government, Auckland Council says. Audio
'Stop making excuses': Low-rate mayor's advice to other councils
Whanganui's average rates increase of 2.2 percent is the lowest in the country. Audio
Council considers new rules for cats
The Kaikōura District Council is considering drafting an animal control bylaw to include cats, to replace its dog control bylaw, in a bid to protect native birds.
Three southern councils still plan to team up to deliver water services
But last week Waikati District Council voted to exit the partnership and manage its services in-house for at least two years.
West Coast Regional Council chair defends rate rises
The council is contesting figures put out by Taxpayers' Union showing it topped the country for rate hikes over the past three years.
