Local Council

It's a situation that could be repeated across New Zealand as councils are warned there are no more free lunches when it comes to water.

It follows an earlier rejection of an Australian mining company's proposal to mine mineral sands from Barrytown Flats north of Greymouth.

More than 22,000 individuals in the region provided feedback, with 2200 of those living in the south Auckland wards.

The late politician was the world's first openly transgender mayor and member of parliament.

The Bay of Plenty city will hold its first election in almost five years - and there's expected to be a lot of interest.

A prominent business family hopes "common sense" will prevail before proposed alcohol regulations come into force.

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels is looking at a 110-room hotel in Whangārei as it expands its network.

The final plan will be adopted in June.

Mayor Martin Connelly says he is not aware of the move and cannot comment further at this stage.

Rotorua councillor upset at Housing Ministry plans to keep contracting hotels for emergency housing.

The comments section is not a healthy way to debate issues the community is facing, council says.

Hawke's Bay could lose out on $250 million a year in visitor spend if its tourism body is forced to close, chair says. Audio

"The [council] and their paid bureaucrats clearly are out of touch with what the people of Hamilton can afford," one submitter says.

A council that played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed is now lobbying against government plans to reinstate binding referendums.

The company says it learnt the deal was not going ahead just prior to a meeting they thought was to sign off the plan.

The district mayor says it is a "very hard pill to swallow" and delayed non-critical work to deal with rising costs.