Local Council
Whanganui eyes $16m in asset sales to offset rates
Whanganui council is seeking ratepayer support to sell $16 million of assets in the next year to keep its rates increase to 10.6 percent, but is not yet sure which ones.
Council's own expert at odds with it over mine
West Coast councillors are not happy after their own expert consultant expressed a view there was "no need" for a controversial sand mine proposal.
Law change needed to help at-risk homes - Nelson Mayor
The Nelson Council is consulting on what to do with undamaged homes at risk from landslides on private property following the floods a year and a half ago. Audio
Councillor says it's 'vital' Māori wards continue
A Māori ward councillor says the role is the most fulfilling she's ever had and it's vital that Māori wards continue.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced on Thursday that councils which… Audio
Māori ward referendums: 'The idea it's about fairness is absurd'
Māori ward councillors say the government's plan to reintroduce referendums for councils to bring in their role is absurd and cruel.
Delays to insurance payout holds up stinky treatment plant repairs
A temporary system was put in place, but the odour is still there.
Funding for flood protection is 'vital' say insurers
Regional councils and insurers agree: funding for flood protection is vital for keeping insurance in at-risk areas affordable and available.
But the man leading an 80-project proposal says the… Audio
Nelson Council completes buy out of some red stickered homes
Nelson Council has completed buyouts worth $6 million for ten properties at risk of landslides from public land.
The properties in the suburb, The Brook, were at risk following the severe rainfall in… Audio
Local Government vice-president on Māori wards
Local Government New Zealand says reversing councils' ability to decide on Maori wards is a "slap in the face" from central Government.
The Coalition announced councils that brought in Māori wards… Audio
Water group vows to fight fluoridation order
Kawerau is one of 14 councils that has been directed to add fluoride to its water supply by the Director General of Health.
Govt's Māori wards reversal labelled 'complete overreach'
Reversing councils' ability to decide on Māori wards is "complete overreach by central government", LGNZ says.
Labour MP slams Invercargill Mayor over youth offending stance
Mayor Nobby Clark told RNZ it made no difference if someone was 11 or 12 years of age when it came to justice for "adult crimes".
Scepticism over Brian Tamaki's plan to sue councils over rainbow projects
A lawyer specialising in local government says the Destiny Church leader has little ground to stand on.
Ngāi Tahu reaches out to councils on Three Waters replacement
The move to help find solutions for ageing water infrastructure has the support of North Canterbury's mayors.
Nelson to trial kerbside collection of soft plastics
Nelson is to be the first region in the country to test out the kerbside collection of soft plastics due to a trial by the Packaging Forum.
The mayor Nick Smith says the current recycling scheme… Audio
Coalition delivers Māori wards ultimatum to councils
Councils that brought in Māori wards without polling residents will need to hold one - or scrap the wards they had set up, the government says.
Cats in Lower Hutt now required to be desexed and microchipped
Pet owners in Lower Hutt are now required to ensure their cats are desexed and microchipped.
It's also compulsory for cats older than twelve weeks to be on the Companion Animal Register.
Councillor… Audio
Taumarunui gets rid of SOME of it's rusting railcars
RNZ Checkpoint's reporter in Palmerston North Jimmy Ellingham has been around the central North Island lately, he joins Nathan Rarere with some big transport stories from the region. Audio
'Chipping and snipping' rules come in for Hutt cats
Cats living in Lower Hutt must now be desexed and microchipped under a new bylaw.
Books littered 5km down road
Council estimated it would take it would take 80 to 100 hours to pick up but the community came to help.
