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Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth
Local Government

Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth

The district's residential and industrial land shortage could bite within 25 years, prompting public consultation on rezoning in its main centres.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'
Radio New Zealand

Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'

Boil notices remain in place while testing continues, though Ohakune's water supply has been restored and the emergency is easing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart
Local Government

Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart

The council could be forced into a government-designed restructure unless ministers grant extra time after its regional reform plan collapsed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last week
Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection
Local Government

Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection

Officials will still assess Tauranga's bid for a new unitary authority, despite Western Bay of Plenty District Council refusing to join it.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed
Radio New Zealand

Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed

Ratepayers could face a six-figure bill if Kawerau extends the 70kmh zone on State Highway 34, with funding uncertain.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last
Risk & Compliance

Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last

Residents welcomed approval for a basic rebuild of Days Track, though council staff warn storms will likely damage it again.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future
Hutt City Council

Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future

Ratepayers face sweeping council restructures as ministers weigh rival merger bids, with some regions set for government-imposed changes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 8 min read • Last week
Residents oppose luxury Auckland island's waste facility
Auckland Council

Residents oppose luxury Auckland island's waste facility

Mainland ratepayers are subsidising Kawau Island rubbish collection, as residents seek to curb dumping and protect Sandspit Reserve.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry
Civil Defence

Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry

Residents were warned too late as Ohakune's reservoir emptied, leaving businesses and households without water on a busy winter weekend.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty, as council eyes redevelopment
Ministry of Social Development

Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty, as council eyes redevelopment

Residents fear forced moves and possible homelessness if the council's plans for Rotorua's biggest pensioner housing block proceed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on
Risk & Compliance

'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on

Ten years on, the outbreak still shapes drinking-water rules after contaminated taps sickened more than 5,500 people and killed four.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last week
Rubber hits the road in South Island trial
Local Government

Rubber hits the road in South Island trial

Residents in Glentunnel could see New Zealand’s first rubber road next January as Selwyn District weighs a trial using recycled tyres.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Wed, 19th Nov 2025
What’s yours is mine . .
Taxation

What’s yours is mine . .

Ashburton motorists will still fund roads nationwide after Finance Minister Nicola Willis rejected a mayoral hopeful’s plan to keep charges local.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sun, 7th Sep 2025
Anyone speak government or council?
Law

Anyone speak government or council?

Councils warn the bill could saddle ratepayers with unfunded duties, as toilets, cemeteries and consenting are left off the core services list.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Mon, 1st Sep 2025
Push to restore regional rail amid airline demise
Green Party

Push to restore regional rail amid airline demise

The Greens say restoring passenger rail could ease pressure on Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga as regional airlines cut routes and costs climb.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Thu, 24th Jul 2025
Region plagued with water restrictions investigates massive dam
Agricultural Technology

Region plagued with water restrictions investigates massive dam

A government grant will test whether Hawke's Bay can revive a controversial dam scheme after years of water shortages and legal setbacks.

By Linda Hall • 5 min read • Fri, 6th Dec 2024
Homes sitting empty amid housing shortage
Housing

Homes sitting empty amid housing shortage

Tauranga’s housing squeeze is worsened by 2,142 empty homes, though the mayor says filling them beats building anew.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Thu, 17th Oct 2024
Will apartments create affordable homes in Tauranga?
Data Analytics

Will apartments create affordable homes in Tauranga?

Tauranga’s push for taller Mount Maunganui buildings has reignited debate over whether greater density will ease the city’s housing squeeze.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Thu, 23rd May 2024
Ashburton’s new freight hub to move trucks off highway
Supply Chain

Ashburton’s new freight hub to move trucks off highway

The hub is expected to take 40,000 truck movements a year off Mid Canterbury roads and cut freight emissions by 70%.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Fri, 26th Apr 2024