Local Council

South Aucklanders face a lack of reliable and affordable public transport, meaning they'll cop any charges the worst, the local board says.

Meanwhile, the party and National are also odds about whose plan to fix the pipes will cost more. Audio

Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques.

Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua will move down to Level 1 water restrictions on Wednesday, Wellington Water says.

The musician says it is "a really exciting time" for the city and says residents are over having commissioners in place. Audio

Auckland will be able to borrow more money for infrastructure, with the cost spread over a longer period, avoiding a 25.8 percent water rates hike. Audio

Mayor Wayne Brown has told Auckland Transport to "shut up and listen" as he pushes ahead with his election promises.

A small Taranaki town is pushing ahead with lowering fixed speed limits near schools, despite the government's intention to introduce variable speed limits around schools by the end of the year.

South Wairarapa Mayor Martin Connelly has returned from a two-month leave of absence to a council he remains at odds with.

The Buller District Council has refused to release a forensic audit into serious allegations of financial mismanagement relating to the council's Project Management Office.

Poutini Ngāi Tahu has defended Māori sites of significance after the Grey District called for them to be cut from the West Coast's proposed one district plan.

Marlborough District Council has told Spring Creek residents repairs to compromised Wairau River stopbanks are a top priority but the fix will cost $8.7 million and take three years to complete.

Those tasked with Marlborough's wheelie bin roll-out say they are confident that recycling is no longer going to end up going to landfill.