Local Council
Gisborne's proposed Māori ward structure released
The rejig of representation in Tairāwhiti that includes the introduction of Māori wards has reached the next stage with the release of proposed ward structures.
Mayor Shadbolt 'hoarding' personal items in council buildings
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.
LDR King Country: air pollution controls in Te Kuiti
As we do every week, we catch up with the fine folk from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme to hear news from parts of New Zealand that sometimes get overlooked by the big news outlets. This… Audio
New Gisborne pool complex celebrates local history
Council releases plans for $46m pool complex and expansion which will open in 2023.
Huge Far North water verdict looms as avocados boom
Plans for a massive water take to grow more avocados in the Far North could get the green light in the coming weeks, but there are major concerns among some locals about what that will mean for the… Video, Audio
Department of Conservation proposed dolphin rules causing division
The Department of Conservation's being accused of using scare tactics and dodgy data in its bid to keep people away from dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
There have been 645 submissions on a planned… Audio
Ports of Auckland appears to enter new era with council, union
Ports of Auckland appears to be welcoming a new era in their relationship with Auckland Council and unions, after years of tension.
A damning safety report earlier this year revealed major concerns… Audio
NSW police boss calls in defence force to enforce lockdowns
The New South Wales Police Commissioner has called in the Australian Defence Force to help deal with the Covid-19 compliance operation in the state. Sydney authorities are tightening Covid-19… Audio
Blenheim gives the dogs a bone as pooch pause ends
Every dog has its day, and in Blenheim that will be August 1, when canines will be allowed back into the CBD, thanks to new bylaws.
So what's the doggie deal? Jamie Arbuckle is a Marlborough District… Video, Audio
Piopiotahi cruise ship ban welcomed as a 'game changer'
Some Fiordland businesses are calling a new vision for Piopiotahi Milford Sound 'a game changer'.
The Milford Opportunities masterplan suggests charging foreigners an access fee, banning cruise ships… Audio
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick to stand down after next election
Former NZ First MP Fletcher Tabuteau has thrown his hat in the 2022 Rotorua mayoralty ring after mayor Steve Chadwick confirmed she would not be standing again.
Smelly issue: Two different rubbish systems divide Auckland
It has been more than 10 years since Auckland became a super city. But there is one smelly issue that still divides the city - rubbish collection.
Residents in several pockets of the city have to buy… Video, Audio
'Risky' to put councillors back in charge in 2021 in Tauranga
Six months after Crown appointed commissioners took over at Tauranga City Council, local leaders want their stay extended.
The four commissioners are supposed to stay on until local government… Audio
Govt lending for quake prone apartments not working - resident
Not a single cent has been cashed out from the Government's $23 million loan scheme for those living in earthquake-prone apartments.
Official figures show only 35 people have registered their… Audio
Levin landfill deal in the dumps
A deal to shut the controversial Levin rubbish dump, located near one of the country's most polluted lakes, is floundering.
Westport local lashes out at council over flood
A Westport man is hitting out at the local council for not doing enough to protect the town from flood.
Heavy rain over the weekend caused the Buller and Orowaiti Rivers to flood, resulting in… Audio
LDR Ashburton: Water, water, water
Every week we check in with the reporters from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme. This week we're in Ashburton, where reporter Adam Burns has been looking at ... water. We started out by… Audio
Westport floods: 15 per cent of homes uninhabitable
Sixty-five homes in Westport have been red stickered after the weekend's devastating floods, meaning residents can't return home. Just over 300 have been yellow stickered and about 1800 have no or… Audio
Severe flooding on West Coast leaves widespread damage
From the West Coast is the Mayor of Buller, Jamie Cleine. Audio
Marlborough residents looking to clean up after flooding
Many houses in the upper South Island remain underwater this morning after devastating flooding which led to hundreds of people fleeing their homes. The Buller, Marlborough and Tasman districts bore… Audio
