Local Council
Govt move to scrap 'four wellbeings' could undermine council stability - officials warn
Critics argue removing councils' wellbeing priorities may lower costs, but will also reduce local autonomy and risk Treaty settlement fallout. Audio
Sand mine approved near Hokitika
The Westland Mineral Sands site will be about eight kilometres from the town and cover 112 hectares.
Tauranga's Baypark speedway lease extended to 2039
Speedway will continue to race at Baypark in Tauranga giving the sport "certainty and longevity".
Marlborough council defies Govt to push ahead with airport safety plan
The district council says it will continue planning airport safety protections, despite government moves to freeze all environment plan changes under RMA law. Audio
Bill aimed at getting councils costs down passes first reading
Legislation aimed at getting local councils to keep their costs down has passed its first reading coinciding with this year's Local Government conference in Christchurch. Political reporter Russell… Audio
Council $3.1m rates blunder: New Plymouth households could be overcharged by $102
New Plymouth District Council hiked residential rates 12.8 percent instead of 9.9 percent, prompting an apology and calls for a one-off rebate. Audio
The big issues for Auckland's leaders
Auckland's rapid population growth is considered one of the key challenges for incoming council elected members, a report has revealed.
ACT, NZ First cast doubt on capping council rates
"You've got to be able to control the costs first", said Seymour when asked about issue .
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
