Local government reform: Western Bay council to develop two merger proposals
The head start pathway allowed councils to propose reorganisation plans. The Government encouraged these to be unitary authorities,…
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…
Is bigger really better? Thinktank says merging councils may not be the solution
A thinktank suggests we need to move away from a ‘bigger is better’ mindset when reforming local government.…
Whangārei council defends $34K tree removal amid erosion fears
Esplanade reserves are typically strips of public land along the coast or waterways set aside to protect natural…
New Zealand’s grievance industry is eroding free expression – David Harvey
The Waitangi Tribunal’s mandate has expanded so dramatically that by 2021 the Treaty or its principles appeared in…
South Waikato: Putāruru councillor Zed Latinovic booted off council committee
At Thursday’s council meeting, South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said in addition to the imposed censure, Latinovic’s membership…
Whanganui’s rural rubbish service under the microscope as part of council’s waste plan
She said 15% of what was in the bins was “actually general rubbish but, sadly, 2% of that…
Hauraki District Council’s Big Belly bin scheme dumped over rising costs
Council documents said the new rollout will save more than $100,000 by year two. Cost was a defining…
Northlanders surveyed ahead of councils’ restructure proposal deadline
FNDC and KDC have also topped their surveys with another option – each remaining standalone while taking on…
Race relations gives people the ick, but stripping unelected members of voting rights was obvious – Heather du Plessis-Allan
Defenders will tell you the angst is overblown. It’s just a committee. It’s not the full council. The…
Budget 2026: How much could your council get from Govt’s new housing consent scheme?
Infometrics’ analysis for this policy over the March 2026 year suggested $1.2b would be returned to councils. Under…
Forest & Bird challenges Hawke’s Bay councils in court over controversial dam project
Forest & Bird said the dam’s consents were granted in 2015, and would have lapsed after 10 years.…