Local Government
On-again, off-again water for protester
A Māori land protester who lives beside Lake Horowhenua has had his water cut off again during a long-running dispute involving the local council.
Council's own finance committee deputy slams blowout
Desley Simpson says three straight years of salary budget blowouts is unacceptable and something has to change. Audio
Nearly 200 Auckland Council staff earning over $200,000
Only 73 staff earning over $200,000 are from the core council which has also cut 11 staff in the past year, the chief executive says.
Council boss ignores pleas to turn protester's water on
A district council chief executive is keeping the water to a Māori land protester turned off despite health officials telling him it's illegal.
People who owe Chch rates rises 41 percent
There has been a huge increase in the number of Christchurch ratepayers struggling to pay their rates bills. Audio
Council's email interceptions to continue under new rules
A local council that stopped screening people's emails after it was forced to admit it was doing so is poised to start up the interceptions again under new rules.
Councils urged to plan for end of population growth
Local authorities are being urged to start planning now for an end to global population growth, expected to hit by the end of the century.
'A perfect storm' of funding pressures for councils
The country's councils are facing a "perfect storm" of funding pressures and want the next government to help them out.
Govt coastal erosion efforts 'too little, too late'
It's too little, too late from the government on rising sea levels, an expert says after a leaked report, and councils are having to bear the brunt.
What does the Election mean for Auckland?
Members of seven political parties discuss transport, roading and the general state of the Super City in front of a live audience. Audio
Auckland Council's surplus up by $90m
The Auckland Council has made a bigger annual operating surplus of $340 million, with growth boosting both income and costs.
New report favours $496m Christchurch stadium with retractable pitch
The original plan for a Christchurch stadium is too expensive, suggests a new report offering four cheaper options. Audio
One-dog proposal raises hackles in Far North
The district council is facing strong opposition over its one-dog-per-household proposal to protect threatened native birds.
Full steam ahead towards post-coal jobs
Insight - Despite affordable housing and friendly people, the West Coast has struggled to attract new residents. Is there finally light at the end of the tunnel? Audio
Waiheke, Rodney North's bid to split from Auckland Council rejected
A report to the Local Government Commission has rejected the hopes of northern Rodney and Waiheke Island to split from Auckland Council. Auckland correspondent Todd Niall explains the details. Audio
Council chief executive shifts districts
New Plymouth District Council has poached the boss of its near neighbour to be its next chief executive.
Drinking water needs fundamental reform - engineer
A top water engineer says Havelock North's water contamination inquiry should lead to fundamental reform of New Zealand's drinking water regulation. A central question the inquiry is seeking to answer… Audio
Wellington council calls for new planes to Singapore
Wellington's officials are worried the older planes used by Singapore Airlines on its flights into the capital from Singapore are reducing the route's value.
Auckland tenants stung for landlords' water fees
A tenant advocate and a lobby group for landlords are calling for an overhaul to Auckland's confusing system for allocating water rates. Under the current system, tenants pay the metered rate of water… Audio
Wellington to recycle unused buildings into housing
Developers and social housing providers are applauding an initiative to turn under-utilised inner city buildings into social and affordable apartments. Audio
