Local Council
Gravel road debate: Council to further delay decision
Southland's mayor says the district council will delay a decision to turn three sealed roads back into gravel roads as long as it can while it hopes for more funding from the central government. Audio
Water Bill makes the government 'the evil penguin' - Hamilton councillor
A Hamilton councillor says the government's Local Government Water Services Bill has failed at providing local authorities with any certainty when it comes to water, and left them feeling like an…
Two councillors step down while 22 confirm restand in Hawkes Bay
Napier City councillor Maxine Boag and Central Hawke's Bay councillor Tim Aitken have confirmed they were standing down, while others have confirmed their mayoral bids.
Council braces for new miners as gold price soars
As the price of gold soars to a record NZ$5000 an ounce, the West Coast is bracing for an influx of miners new to the industry - and its environmental rules.
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 11 February 2025
On today's episode, ACT Party leader David Seymour has hit back at the Prime Minister's criticism of his support for Philip Polkinghorne who was later charged and then acquitted of murdering his wife… Audio
Construction set to begin on Wellington's Golden Mile
RNZ has seen council documents that show construction is set to begin on the long awaited and controversial $140 million Golden Mile upgrade in April. Local bar owner Jeremy Smith spoke to Corin Dann.
…Southland resident on road going back to gravel
Residents of Crooked, Waterloo, and Wilanda Downs roads are awaiting a decision by the Southland District council - which has already been delayed on whether their roads will be turned back into… Audio
Expectant mothers in Whakatāne may have to travel for birth
There are concerns that one in five expectant mothers living in and around Whakatāne will have to travel Tauranga to give birth. Te Moana a Toi Iwi Māori Partnership Board co-chair Hone Te Rire spoke… Audio
Whangārei mayor on council's fight against fluoridation
Whangārei's fight against fluoridation has drawn a stiffly written seventeen-page warning from the country's top health official. Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Mahé Drysdale still not living in Tauranga after seven months as mayor
Drysdale says he can't find a home in his desired school zone.
Seymour defends letter to police about Polkinghorne
ACT leader David Seymour has called the Prime Minister ill-advised for criticising his support for Philip Polkinghorne. In 2022, the Epsom MP wrote a 1012-word letter to police, saying Polkinghorne… Audio
North Canterbury hosts several A&P shows over next few weeks
North Canterbury's local democracy reporter David Hill tells Nathan about the Waimakariri District Council's low rates rise, the latest on speed limit changes in the region, and the vast array of A&P… Audio
Ashburton’s green bin rollout to go ahead, despite government policy change
With a government requirement changed post long-term plan, the Ashburton District Council briefly revisited its decision to roll out green waste collection in 2026.
Widespread support for Efeso Collins mural
Multiple stakeholders have expressed strong support for a mural in Manukau honouring the late Fa'anānā Efeso Collins.
Off leash - dog trainer Flip Calkoen
Auckland Council has been accused of overreacting after proposing dog rule changes. Dog trainer Flip Calkoen talks about whether the balance is right. Audio
Government backpedals on some automatic speed reversals
The new minister of transport has opened the door for public consultation on at least some of the speed limit changes the government said would be automatic. Audio
Southland councils explore regional deals
Southern councils have joined forces on a proposal which could result in an injection of support from the government.
Council appointment 'undemocratic', candidate says
The council this week appointed surveyor Chris Coll to fill the seat left vacant by the sudden death of Buller councillor Frank Dooley.
'Horrendous': Mysterious bad smell haunts small town
A smell described as like rotting fish or a dead animal has been lingering over pōtiki.
'Are we being tough enough?': Wineries fall short on wastewater compliance
A dozen wineries failed to meet wastewater compliance rules during harvest 2024, with high staff turnover partly to blame, a new report shows.
