Local Council
Thousands could be missing out on voting after confusion on residents' eligibility
There is concern that tens of thousands of people recently granted residency could miss out on voting in the local body elections.
Varied candidates in Central North Island elections
In the central North Island, there's what could be described as a varied line-up of candidates in three neighbouring regions.
Whanganui Local Democracy Reporter Moana Ellis spoke to Guyon Espiner. Audio
New residents could miss out on local elections voting
Tens of thousands of people recently granted residency, could miss out on voting in the local body elections because of confusion over the rules.
At least 55,000 people granted a one-off residency… Audio
Whangārei mayor hopeful for decent voter turnout at local elections
The Local Government Minister says central government may review how local body elections are run, following concerns many voters haven't received their papers.
Nanaia Mahuta is one of many voters… Audio
Dozens of missing voting paper queries coming in daily for North Island electoral official
A North Island electoral official says they're getting dozens of queries every day from people who still haven't got their voting papers for the local elections.
She says many people are finding the… Audio
Christchurch city councillor with the worst attendance fails to show for valedictory speech
An outgoing Christchurch city councillor criticised for her lack of commitment to the $114,000-a-year role has failed to show up to give her valedictory speech.
Auckland’s leading mayoral candidates support online voting option to arrest poor turnout
The two frontrunners in Auckland's mayoral campaign are calling for an end to postal voting and the investigation of an online voting option in time for the local body elections in 2025 in a bid to…
End of an era for Masterton
After 15 years of serving the Masterton District, Mayor Lyn Patterson is farewelling her role as an elected member.
Outgoing Christchurch mayor 'optimistic' for city's future
Christchurch's outgoing mayor shed a tear at her official farewell this morning.
Nelson councillors meet key minister in the midst of long recovery
Nelson councillors have held a meeting with local government and emergency management minister Kieran McAnulty today.
Many residents still haven't been able to return home after heavy rain last month… Audio
Wairarapa communities' different priorities for local elections
Three local electorates lie within the Wairarapa region.
Despite the close proximity of South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton, each community has very different priorities for the upcoming local… Audio
Former All Black running for Auckland Council seat
Local elections are in full force, with just over a week before voting closes.
All sorts of people are vying for a seat on Auckland's council table - including a former All Black.
Local Democracy… Audio
'Still many affected families' as Nelson flood cleanup continues
Many residents in Nelson still have not been able to return home after last month's floods as officials continue to assess damage to the city and region. Audio
LDR Whanganui: how will councils spend Better Off support money
Time to catch up with news from regional New Zealand and this morning we're in Whanganui with the marvellous Moana Ellis from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme. Moana's been looking at how the… Audio
Apathy winning in local government elections as votes at record low
Halfway through the voting period for the 2022 Local Government Elections, apathy appears to be having a landslide win. Audio
Ashburton carries over $14.5 million worth of projects from previous financial year
Ashburton District council chief executive Hamish Riach says the council must improve on its delivery after $14.5 million worth of carry-over projects from the 2021-22 financial year.
'Abysmal' early voter turnout raises questions around approach to local elections
We're halfway through the voting period for the 2022 Local Government Elections, but so far apathy is having a landslide win. Voter turnout has been at a record low. Audio
Whangārei mayoral candidates against three waters plan
Candidates said they were against government proposals to take $1.5 billion of Whangārei District Council three water assets and put them into a into a giant top-of-New Zealand water services entity.
Napier resident 'suspicious' about council secrecy over housing development
Some Napier residents are "appalled, angry and upset" they were kept in the dark about a proposed social housing development.
Emergency housing a big issue for Rotorua council elections
Local body elections are in fully swing with hot-button issues differing from electorate to electorate.
In Rotorua, emergency housing is top of the list.
Local Democracy reporter Felix Desmarais… Audio