Local Government
Rebellion against Horowhenua council brews
A small rebellion is brewing in two northern Horowhenua settlements. Residents in Tokomaru and Opiki have started a petition and are holding community meetings to break away from their district… Audio
Nights' Pundit Dr Eric Crampton
Nights' Pundit and Chief Economist at The New Zealand Initiative, Dr Eric Crampton joined us in the studio to take a look at localism and subsidiarity. Local Government New Zealand has suggested a… Audio
Insight: Water - Who Pays?
RNZs Local Government reporter Laura Dooney takes a closer look at the huge financial pressures facing local councils trying to keep our water safe and clean. Video, Audio
Local govts looking for more power, responsibility
Peter Wilson from the Institute of Economic Research joins The Panel to discuss whether Dunedin mayor Dave Cull has a point in calling for local bodies to be given more responsibility - and more cash.
…LGNZ calls for changes to Māori wards legislation
Changes must be made to the way Māori wards are decided on, Local Government New Zealand says.
Battle lines drawn: Council decries unofficial loading zone
A street upgrade is hoped to bring to an end a two-year battle between a rogue car park engineer who painted his own yellow lines and Wellington City Council. Audio
Hospitality industry rails against Wgtn 'bed tax'
The hospitality industry has accused the Wellington Council of "double-dipping" in its proposal to introduce an accommodation levy in the city.
Ratepayers cover a $566 laundry bill and a $1.75 snack
Analysis - Should Auckland ratepayers be paying for the overseas laundry bills of its highest paid executives? Todd Niall goes through the receipts.
Small improvement in public view of Akl Council - survey
There's been a slight improvement in the regard Aucklanders have for their council, a survey shows.
Māori ward legislation is racist - councillor
Legislation allowing council decisions to establish Māori electoral wards to be challenged via referendums has been described as "racist".
Wellington beefs up farm dumping rules
Farmers illegally dumping rubbish face a crackdown from Greater Wellington Regional Council, which says it is an ongoing problem.
Auckland boosts funding to tackle waste dumping
Auckland Council is spending an extra $200,000 on new measures to crack down on 'fly tipping'.
Auckland's political scene to shift as city gets more diverse
The political face of Auckland will need to change because Pākehā will soon make up less than half the city's population, says a demographer. Audio
Councils decry dumped rubbish costs
Local authorities are calling for better product stewardship, with $2.4 million spent among 30 councils on clearing illegally dumped rubbish last year.
Auckward: Supercity secession bids fail
Bids by the two local communities to break away from the Auckland Council have been rejected by the Local Government Commission.
Hastings' acting mayor looks set to win mayoralty
Acting mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazelhurst is well ahead in the by-election for the district mayoralty.
Mayor labelled 'dictator' after councillors quit meeting
The mayor of Horowhenua district has been called a dictator following a council meeting that fell apart when councillors staged a walk-out.
Manawatū District Council votes in favour of Māori wards
The Manawatū District Council is the latest council to vote in favour of establishing Māori wards at the next local body elections.
Rates inflate: 'It's a good time to be selling'
House values in Auckland are on the rise, but a potential increase in rates is leaving some residents in traditionally cheaper suburbs unhappy.
Auckland's fringe suburbs face higher rates rises
Suburbs on Auckland's fringes and in cheaper areas are facing higher than average rates rises next year, the Auckland Council has confirmed. Video