Sue Teodoro

Cretney thought the government's proposal to scrap regional councils could present some opportunities, if skills were retained.

In a summer series on Wairarapa leaders' views on the government's proposed local council reforms, South Wairarapa mayor Dame Fran Wilde shares her perspectives.

Ed and Juliet Cooke have both been awarded the King's Service Medal (KSM) for their services to music.

Viv Napier, former South Wairarapa District Council mayor, said the honour came as a complete surprise to her.

The number of houses at risk is likely to increase, with modelling suggesting the effects of climate change will also increase in the future.

Central Masterton is set for a makeover early next year.

The iconic station would close for about 36 months.

It's been eight decades since hundreds of children found a new home in Pahīatua during WWII.

A popular Wairarapa coastal watering hole is back in business.

The tree, handmade by a local craft collective entirely from recycled materials, was found in tatters after it came down on Monday night.

Animal control officers in Wairarapa councils were kept busy with nearly 1200 dog-related call outs during the last financial year.

Wairarapa mayors give their view on a range of changes affecting the future of local government.

From no-mow trials in public parks to soft plastic recycling, Carterton council is adopting sustainable practices across its business units.

South Wairarapa Mayor Fran Wilde said more detail was needed from the government to answer important questions on the banded rates cap.

The issue is raised in a report to be put before Masterton's District Council on Wednesday.

The Hotel confirmed they closed the bar after hoping they would be able to keep serving alcohol while the appeals process was underway.

"Our elected members come from the community and should be able to carry out our roles without fear of personal attacks or harassment," Carterton's mayor says.

A dog owner blamed themself for an attack at a Masterton park by one of their dogs, saying if they had not been off work sick with flu the incident probably would not have happened.

The local climate could be expected to get hotter and drier in the years to come, so what is the plan?

New Zealand's population growth has been on a downward trend according to Statistics NZ following a strong drop off in international migration.

A total of 200 claims were made, with Masterton having the highest number at 60 - mostly from the weather event on 21 October.

Rates could be raised for properties with granny flats, an economist says, after new rules were passed allowing people to build structures up to 70 square metres in their yards.

Celia Wade-Brown, who is the Green Party's associate conservation spokesperson, says possums are a serious threat to biodiversity, orchards and stock.

He might have hung up his mayoral chains, but his life in the public eye could be far from over.

Former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown describes what scared her most and the food she craved while walking the length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa trail.