Local Council
Mount Maunganui residents call for better air quality
Mount Maunganui residents and visitors have told Tauranga City Council that improving air quality, and making it easy and safe to get around, are key as the area grows.
Gold miners dig in against water rules
Otago hobby gold miners say proposed water rules aimed to protect waterways will put costly red tape in their way.
Waitomo District Council votes not to introduce Māori wards
Waitomo District Council has voted unanimously to not introduce Māori wards.
Buller mayor 'flying blind' over claims of financial mismanagement
The council is to commission a forensic audit following "serious allegations of mismanagement of funds".
Trees will be 'bowled over' to avoid new regulations - mayor
A "heinous" imposition of new rules has prompted fear they will push West Coast landowners to cut down trees to avoid the implications.
Former mayor in stoush with council over unconsented seawall
Unconsented work on a Gisborne foreshore undertaken by former mayor Meng Foon has been halted by the district council he once represented.
Wayne Brown gives himself 'a 7, at least' out of 10 for his first year in charge
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown reflects on a year marked by floods, budgetary strife and infrastructure woes.
'Serious allegations' prompt forensic audit
A local council is commissioning a forensic audit following "serious allegations of mismanagement of funds".
Whangarei Maritime Festival a huge hit with locals
Time now to get the latest from Northland, with our local democracy reporter Susan Botting. Nathan Rarere asked Susan whether the Whangarei Maritime Festival was a big hit. Audio
Wellington Town Hall rebuild could be twinned to offset ballooning costs
In a bid to offset a multimillion-dollar blowout to redevelop Wellington's Town Hall, the council is considering doing it at the same time as a neighbouring building.
Image of local councils nationwide going down among public
Public sentiment towards local councils has fallen, with places affected by Cyclone Gabrielle feeling the strain - but for some it's an expected result.
Auckland councillor urges consultation on local boards cull
A proposal to nearly halve the number of local boards in Auckland 'definitely' needs to be put out to consultation, a councillor says.
Is Three Waters dead under National? Mayor says not quite
The Three Waters reform is not dead and buried with a change in government, "just going to be done differently".
Former Christchurch mayor accuses council of secrecy, agenda to sell assets
Meanwhile, a Christchurch city councillor is calling for greater transparency from the mayor and council executives over proposed cost cutting.
Coromandel flood protection works to get $1 million in funding
The Waikato region is set to receive $1 million in funding to enhance resilience against flood risks in the Coromandel Peninsula.
He scattered his wife's ashes under a kōwhai - now council plans to tear it out
Don Meads is heartbroken a kōwhai tree he scattered his wife's ashes under is to be torn out as part of flood protection works in Whakatāne.
Councillor Jamie Arbuckle on his first day at the Beehive and how he’ll juggle two jobs
Jamie Arbuckle is a five-term Marlborough councillor, but he's never had an office before, nor any staff.
Kowhai Park in line for six-million-dollar revamp
Whanganui's iconic Kowhai Park is a blast from the past - with play equipment inspired by the likes of Old Mother Hubbard and Goldilocks.
But the playground, that's been an attraction for more than… Audio
Wellington councillor urges new govt to sort out earthquake strengthening laws
A central Wellington city councillor is urging the new government to sort out earthquake strengthening laws, saying apartment and building owners are not a bottomless pit of money.
The call comes as… Audio
Mayor Wayne Brown proposes to slash number of Auckland local boards
Auckland's local boards could be set for their first major overhaul in 13 years after a proposal from the city's mayor.