Local Council
Growers say new policy statement a step in the right direction
Councils will now need to identify, map and manage productive land to protect it from inappropriate use and development.
Rotorua iwi land returned six decades after being seized
The Rotorua Lakes Council has signed an agreement to co-manage the springs that supply the city's drinking water and return the land to local hapū.
Food growers celebrate protection of fertile land
Vegetable and fruit growers are calling the new policy to protect fertile land a "triumph" but say it has been a longtime coming. Audio
Most mayoral candidates ready to spend on climate change
Could local government be ahead of the game when it comes to accepting the wero (challenge) thrown up by climate change?
Coffee, kebabs and brunch with Auckland's mayoral candidates
Ahead of the hotly-contested Auckland mayoral election, the RNZ First Up team wanted to get an idea of who the main contenders are and what their visions are for the city. Audio
Wellington mayoralty: Eagle and Whanau lead in close race - new poll
A new political poll shows Paul Eagle is the frontrunner in the Wellington mayoral race, with Tory Whanau a close second and the incumbent Andy Foster lagging behind.
Mayoral candidate serves jail time for dodging sentence
A mayoral candidate has been released from prison after serving a sentence he evaded for years.
LGNZ eager to get out the vote for elections
Local Government New Zealand wants to lift the percentage of people that vote in local body elections.
Veteran activists urge Māori to tackle councils
Members of Ngā Tamatoa have urged Māori to get active in local government to tackle racism and get land back.
Survey shows support for Māori wards stronger in provinces than cities
A mayoral candidate survey undertaken by Local Democracy Reporting has found nearly half of respondents believed Māori wards were an effective way to increase Māori participation.
'I'm running on that thing of diversity' - Otago candidates aim to change face of region
A growing number of diverse candidates are hoping to add to the political mix in Otago, one of the least diverse regions in Aotearoa. Audio
From $12 ticket to the Supreme Court: Censured councillor's appeal knocked back
A councillor who took his own council to the Supreme Court over a stoush that started with a $12 parking ticket has had his application to appeal dismissed.
Otago candidates aim to bring diversity to council
Otago is one of the least diverse regions in the country - and it's local bodies reflect that. But a growing number of candidates hope to change that at next month's local elections.
Our… Audio
Beck quits Auckland mayoral race, but votes for her still count
Viv Beck has announced her withdrawal from Auckland's mayoral race, though she can still technically win the city's top job.
She is the second high profile candidate to pull out in the last few weeks… Audio
The Panel with Zoe George and Alan McElroy (Part One)
Today on The Panel, Wallace and panellists Zoe George and Alan McElroy discuss the Bledisloe Cup and voting opening for the local body elections. Plus, they speak to a listener who had a lightbulb… Audio
Putting it to the people: Local government elections open
Many people across New Zealand will be receiving their local government election voting papers today. Audio
Voting papers for local govt elections arrive today
Today, many people across New Zealand will be receiving their papers to vote in local government elections.
Anyone who is enrolled can have a say in who their local leaders are, but voter turnout has… Audio
Wellington's radical proposal to slash speed limits to 30km/h
Wellington City Council has signed off on a radical proposal to cut speed limits in the city.
The proposal would bring down speed limits to 30km/h on most streets and 40km/h on main roads.
City… Audio
'Don't believe in mandates' but no link to freedom group from council hopefuls
Another Ashburton District Council candidate has expressed her disapproval of government-enforced mandates.
'He was somebody extraordinary' - Tributes flow for union leader Ken Douglas
One of New Zealand's best known union leaders, Ken Douglas, has died aged 86. Audio
