Local Council
Dunedin mayor replaces deputy who resigned over his handling of racist incident
The Dunedin mayor has moved quickly to replace his outgoing deputy who's resigned over the handling of a racist incident. Sophie Barker handed her notice in after filing an official complaint about… Video, Audio
Gambling changes could be on the cards in Wairarapa
Faced with reports of gambling harm, two Wairarapa district councils are considering tightening restrictions on gambling.
Napier City Council gives up legal fight to sell land to Kāinga Ora
The council said it was choosing to focus on the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, rather than lengthy and pricey legal proceedings.
Former Dunedin deputy mayor lays second complaint
Sophie Barker says recent weeks have been crushing, and an independent investigator is being brought in to sort out the mess at the council.
Series of rubbish fires sparked by lithium batteries prompts warning
Five battery-sparked fires have occurred in bags left at the Resource Recovery Centre and in kerbside bins since May.
Annual water restrictions about to take effect in Wellington
Annual water restrictions in Wellington take effect in two weeks and they might get stricter as summer approaches.
Drier temperatures brought on by the El Niño weather pattern - combined with myriad… Audio
Rotorua Lakes Council chief executive Geoff Williams retires
Geoff Williams has led the council for 10 years.
Gore District Council scraps review into dysfunction
A letter from the mayor, his deputy and the outgoing chief executive expressed concern "re-examination of the past may reignite" the problems.
Dunedin ratepayers shocked by resignation of deputy mayor
Dunedin ratepayers are shocked by the resignation of deputy mayor Sophie Barker, who says it was untenable to stay in the role. She says the breach of a confidential council meeting last month was the… Audio
Dunedin mayor undermined council with off-the-cuff comments, councillor says
Dunedin mayor Jules Radich says council will replace his deputy as soon as possible, after Sophie Barker resigned from the role citing difficulties in working with him. Audio
Dunedin councillor speaks about deputy mayor resignation
Dunedin's deputy mayor Sophie Barker has resigned, saying the breach of a confidential council meeting was the final straw.
Just days ago, she and senior city councillor Jim O'Malley filed a… Audio
Bridging the gap between school and work
Youth support workers are gathering in Lower Hutt this week for a symposium to tackle what is seen as a disconnect between schools and employers. The umbrella group Youth Employability Aotearoa is… Audio
Dunedin's deputy mayor resigns
Dunedin's Deputy Mayor Sophie Barker has resigned, citing an untenable working relationship with the Mayor Jules Radich.
It comes after a complaint against Strath Taieri Community Board chair, Barry… Audio
'Untenable' - Dunedin's deputy mayor resigns role
Sophie Barker's decision to step down from the role follows a tumultuous few days after she and another councillor filed a complaint about Mayor Jules Radich.
Another 15,000 workers may be needed for rebuild efforts
Nearly 15,000 extra construction workers may be needed to repair infrastructure damage from this year's wild weather, experts say.
Taranaki: fate of iwi-Maori partnership boards post-election
Time now to check in on Taranaki with our local democracy reporting part of the programme. Joining Nathan Rarere is Craig Ashworth. Audio
Wellington City Council plans rollout of AI sensors to monitor traffic
A new traffic monitoring network which will count and collect data on modes of transport is being rolled out by Wellington City Council.
'A house I can't live in': Flood-damaged home owner asked to pay rates
Aucklanders who were forced to move out of their storm-damaged homes for the past eight months, have been declined rates relief.
Motocross track solution for Awatapu dirt bikers
As complaints rev up about youths on dirt bikes ripping up parks and terrifying pedestrians in Awatapu, a strategy is being hatched to turn the problem into a solution.
Hospital staff concerned about new parking plan: 'I don't like walking through Newtown in the dark, at 3am'
Wellington Hospital staff are worried a new parking plan will endanger the safety of shift workers and see patients unfairly fined.