Council amalgamation: Who’s working together and who is refusing to budge?
The government ordered neighbouring councils to team up and develop a plan, but some are too busy throwing…
Energy Minister Simeon Brown calls on power networks to tackle scale and cost pressures
“Connections to EDB networks are critical for success in other areas, such as driving uptake of solar generation…
Northern and southern council proposed for Hawke’s Bay in amalgamation debate
Hawke’s Bay has five councils: Hastings, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay district councils, Napier City Council, and Hawke’s…
Tararua District Mayor Scott Gilmore discusses possible amalgamation options at Dannevirke meeting
“There certainly has been a clear theme of outrage over a three-month timeline to come up with something…
Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore warns council amalgamation will not mean cheaper rates
On May 5, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, who is also the Infrastructure Minister, and Local Government Minister…
Mayor questions if Tararua will survive Govt’s council merger ultimatum
Gilmore said the Government’s amalgamation plan could mean Tararua would “cease to exist”. He said they would be…
Amalgamation back on the table: Mayors push to shape Hawke’s Bay reform plan
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council would be disestablished in 2028. The reforms come as no surprise to the…
Northland councils already taking the lead on local body reform
“But too often, the system is tangled in duplication, disagreements, and decisions that defy common sense. “Our message…
Government proposes scrapping regional councillors and nudging councils towards amalgamation
Under this proposal, the regional council as an organisation would remain, but the mayors of the councils that…