Local Council
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 22 July
On today's episode, US president Joe Biden has pulled out of the race to become president, which leaves the Democrats looking for a new candidate to take on Donald Trump in November, we hear from US… Audio
Council under fire for trippling cost of woodburner consents
South Taranaki District Council is under fire for almost tripling the cost of consents for woodburners. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more. Audio
Mahé Drysdale becomes mayor of Tauranga
Mahé Drysdale took out the top spot with 16,178 votes in the preliminary results in the by-election for the Tauranga mayoralty. Drysdale spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
No word on Russell name change three years after application
It's coming up to three years since a Russell marae applied to have the name of the Bay of Islands town changed back to the original Kororareka. Since then there's been only official silence. So… Audio
'We are a team' - Olympic champion ready to lead Tauranga
When the former Olympic champ used to win a race, the hard work was done - but now, the next Tauranga mayor says it's just beginning.
Costs of death going up steeply, Funeral Directors' Association says
Costs paid to local councils have increased by up to 50 percent in the last year, the Funeral Directors' Association says. Audio
Tauranga by-election: Runner-up ex-mayor congratulates winner
Tauranga's former mayor, Greg Brownless, has congratulated the winners of the city council election, in which he was runner-up.
Gisborne bar owner at loggerheads over liquor licence
Ben McCann spent hundreds of thousands on his beer garden, but lost his liquor licence after an appeal by a nearby school.
Former Olympic champion Mahé Drysdale to become new Tauranga mayor
Only one of the six candidates from the council sacked by the government in 2021 has returned to council.
Two councillors, or not two councillors, that is the question for Golden Bay
Tasman's ward boundaries are more than just lines on a map - they determine how residents are represented in the district council, and soon they will be up for public debate.
Tauranga election: A guide for voters
Tauranga will choose who will be running their city for the first time in five years on Saturday.
Voting underway in Tauranga elections
Voting is underway in Tauranga for the first election since 2019. Sun Live local democracy reporter Alisha Evans spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 19 July
On today's episode, we hear from Mackenzie District mayor Anne Munro about the conditions that led to two bus crashes in the district yesterday, it looks like the end-game for Joe Biden's re-election… Audio
Mackenzie District Mayor on bus crashes
Two buses in a three-coach convoy, rolled within a hundred metres of each other along State Highway 8's Tekapo-Twizel Highway shortly after 8.30am on Thursday. Mackenzie District Mayor Anne Munro… Audio
Just 26% of Tauranga residents have voted as polls set to close
Many are still doing their research before selecting the city's first mayor and councillors in years.
The rollercoaster rides of Wayne and Tory
Two years into their mayoral terms, the civic leaders of Wellington and Auckland have pushed through controversy, opposition and calls for their resignation Audio
Tauranga votes in first local body election in four years
The community is divided ahead of the polls closing, Local Democracy Reporter Alisha Evans says. Audio
After four years, local democracy returns to Tauranga
Those who haven't voted in the Tauranga City Council elections yet have until noon on Saturday and for those who haven't even registered to vote yet tomorrow is the last day to enroll. Audio
'Too scared to go outside': Facing the rising tide of online abuse
Recent polling shows abuse aimed at councils is on the rise. LDR looks into the behaviour that is increasingly becoming a threat to democracy.
'Shame on them': Years' worth of illegal tipping found down bank
Council staff believe household garbage and industrial refuse has been thrown off a cliff edge at Te Kopi for several years.
