Local Council

A Gisborne medical centre has been forced to close after torrential rain forced raw sewage back up its pipes into toilets and sinks.

A software error meant the latest versions of some summary documents were not showing updates, the council says.

The government expects to miss its target of concluding negotiations with councils on buying out high-risk cyclone-hit property.

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has been lambasted over his plans to give civic buildings Māori names, as long as they were not metaphors.

Some say changing plans will hit them in the pocket, having bought land based on future potential valuations that are now at risk.

The deputy mayor is warning residents could bear costs down the track, despite the council keeping rates increases below inflation.

A Tawa resident says he does not dare have people to his home when the smell from the landfill is at its peak as it is "hugely embarrassing". Audio

Rates in Whanganui will rise an average 8.3 percent following the adoption of Whanganui District Council's annual plan on Tuesday.

West Coast ratepayers will be walloped with a 16.42 percent rates increase after reluctant agreement today by the regional council.

The Queenstown Housing Initiative says reports of overcrowded properties are a safety concern - as an investigation into a house tenanted by more than 25 people gets underway.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark tells an anti co-governance event that he thinks a "woke" government is giving Māori too much power.

The leases to Queenstown Lakes camping grounds have been sold to Australian company Hampshire Holiday Parks.

Library and council workers across the top of the South Island are rallying to raise their concerns about low wages, poor working conditions and high turnover.