Local Council
West Coast council to keep ‘faith’ over rates
The West Coast Regional Council says it intends to keep "good faith" with ratepayers and not impose a further rates increase based on new capital valuations for the region.
Far North Mayor wants apology over 2021 lockdown
The Mayor of the Far North is unhappy, saying Northland was put into lockdown for 11 days last October for no reason.
RNZ this morning revealed that the two women with Covid-19 who sparked a lockdown… Audio
Glenorchy residents facing uncertain future due to natural hazards
Residents of Glenorchy face an uncertain future after a study detailed significant natural hazards facing the small Otago settlement.
The study found that an earthquake is likely to result in severe… Audio
Kai with the Candidates - AK mayoralty hopeful Craig Lord
Some feedback. Michael Hyson says he is not going to vote in the local elections because he does not know any candidate, but also admits the response should be to spend the time to research them. But… Audio
What Rotorua's mayoral candidates would do about emergency housing in motels
A city "being ripped apart" is how one mayoral candidate has responded to the nationwide exposure of Rotorua's emergency housing crisis.
Budget increase for Marlborough freedom camping rangers
Managing freedom camping in Marlborough went over budget last summer, prompting the council to commit more funding for the coming season.
$84m upgrade planned for Tauranga’s waterfront
Plans for an $84 million rejuvenation of Tauranga's waterfront described as a "hallelujah moment" have been approved.
Candidate promotion by licensing trust ill-advised, not illegal – electoral officer
A South Auckland licensing trust's decision to help promote candidates in this year's local body elections was ill-advised, but not illegal, according to Auckland electoral officer Dale Ofsoske.
Racist attacks on Auckland campaign billboards
Several candidates of Chinese descent in Auckland were shocked to see their faces erased with white paint or cut out of their election campaign boards, next to Pākehā candidates whose faces were… Audio
Otago council goes $952k over budget on legal fees
The Otago Regional Council spent nearly $1 million more than planned on legal fees last year.
LDR Rotorua: emergency housing a big issue
Time to check in with the Local Democracy Reporting programme and this morning we're in Rotorua with Voyager award-winning journalist Felix Desmarais. Audio
Mayor tells govt 'to go back and consult' on Three Waters
South Wairarapa District Council has asked the government to delay the Water Services Entities Bill "until better consultation is undertaken".
Local body elections: Boosting the youth vote and a councillor's baptism of fire
Explainer - Local body elections are round the corner but should we give 16-year-olds voting rights to lift low participation rates?
Master Builders says building consents system is 'broken'
The building consents system is "broken" and under-performing councils should face sanctions or even lose accreditation, says the Registered Master Builders Association.
Residents claim council working behind closed doors to approve development
A group of Napier residents have expressed their frustration amid claims the city council is working behind closed doors to approve a new housing development.
Christchurch mayoral hopeful Carl Bromley defends extremists
Christchurch mayoral hopeful Carl Bromley supported conspiracy theorists Kelvyn Alp and Hannah Spierer at court this week. So RNZ confronted him about his views and others he supports.
Local body elections are looming - how to vote and why they matter
Explainer - Local body elections are a big yawn to many but having a say in who runs our cities and towns is important. RNZ has some pointers that might spur you on to vote.
Topp committed to council candidacy despite health setbacks
Methven's Dame Lynda Topp says she is committed to her election candidacy campaign despite setbacks in her cancer treatment.
The controversial candidates running for councils around NZ
As Local Government NZ unveils a guide to local body candidates in the wake of conspiracy theorists and extremists seeking elected office, RNZ asked some of them why they are standing and what they…
Queenstown mayor on calls to sanction councils for consenting
Master builders say the current building consent system is "broken".
The association is calling for underperforming local councils to be sanctioned or even lose their consenting accreditation.
The… Audio
