Stories by Matthew Rosenberg

The owner of a large unconsented sign which drew the ire of a neighbour says he is leaving the region over the ensuing fallout.

The owner of a seaside lodge in rural Southland has been ordered to remove his home-made sign made out of power poles, less than 24 hours after it was erected.

In a sleepy Southland bay, a battle is brewing. Fearful an old dump could be exposed where the rocks give way to loose shingle, residents claim the council isn't interested.

Gemma Marnane is on a mission to end mining in her small Southland town, even if it puts her at odds with the community and her own parents.

An online petition prompting Three Waters' opponents to send emails to councillors en masse is being called "a bloody nuisance" by a southern mayor.

A small scale developer was forced to live out of his car while he awaited the outcome of a subdivision he claims has ruined his life.

Analysis: Invercargill City Council has rallied to achieve outcomes set by the Department of Internal Affairs, but there's a strong sense of scepticism in the south toward the media and coverage of…

Vaccine uptake among Māori is part of a difficult yet familiar reality for New Zealand health advocates, and when it comes to health and wellbeing, tangata whenua are often left behind.

Last week, Sir Tim was blindsided by council staff when an email he sent to media was intercepted and raised at a closed meeting an hour later.

Embattled Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt says he has been left traumatised by workplace bullying as his deputy pushes for a vote of no confidence against him.

Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is storing personal items - including furniture, mattresses and a large appliance still in bubble wrap - in council-owned buildings across the city.

The rejection of a new liquor outlet hoping to open in Riverton has painted a concerning picture of a toxic drinking culture in the town.

Gore District Council is pouring millions of dollars down the drain with a new water pipeline system, a resident claims.

Despite ongoing difficulties with Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt, independent observers say the council has ploughed ahead with its goal of turning dysfunction into results.

Invercargill's deputy mayor opens up to Local Democracy Reporting's Matthew Rosenberg about strained relationships at council, lessons learned through Buddhism and how his star sign affects his…

Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has revealed he is battling a health condition he believes is affecting his ability to defend himself.

The Gore District Council needs to "do better" to win back the confidence of the community, Mayor Tracy Hicks says.

New Zealand's longest serving mayor addresses speculation over his health, ability to lead and, for the first time, touches on the incident that led to his licence being suspended.

The contents of goodie bags given to Bluff school children has led to Rio Tinto's attitude to the environment being called into question again.

An old dump, separated from the Southern Ocean by a crumbling coastal road, could be home to toxic waste.

Gore District Council has six weeks to pacify residents upset over a roading project trial in the town.

A group of residents living on a rugged patch of coastline at the bottom of the South Island are worried about the future of their crumbling scenic road - and concerns are rising about a potentially…