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Local Government stories

Marlborough's new water service loses board member before first meeting
Public Sector

Marlborough's new water service loses board member before first meeting

Concern over Marlborough Waters' launch has grown after a board member quit before its first meeting, citing work commitments in Tauranga.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Ashburton ratepayers pay as green-bin rollout pushed back four months
Supply Chain

Ashburton ratepayers pay as green-bin rollout pushed back four months

Residents will pay six months of targeted rates before the new food and garden waste service begins in January after bin delays.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Residents of flood-damaged Māngere to help allocate $300,000 recovery fund
Disaster Recovery

Residents of flood-damaged Māngere to help allocate $300,000 recovery fund

Māngere residents will vote on projects from a GBP £300,000 fund aimed at speeding recovery after the 2023 floods.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Light returns to Ōpōtiki street after winter of darkness
LED lights

Light returns to Ōpōtiki street after winter of darkness

Residents regained safer evening access after streetlamps were reinstalled on Ford Street following months of darkness during undergrounding works.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last week
Six minutes, four directors, one mission: New water body's first meeting
Climate change

Six minutes, four directors, one mission: New water body's first meeting

Residents will judge Marlborough Waters by whether they can trust tap water, as the new board begins recruiting a chief executive.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Taupō sports venue gets $5.3 million sports hub
Māori

Taupō sports venue gets $5.3 million sports hub

Funding for Taupō's lower fields now gives visiting teams accessible changing rooms, toilets and a dining room ahead of major tournaments.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Superette owner on the brink of bankruptcy after nine months of roadworks
Supply Chain

Superette owner on the brink of bankruptcy after nine months of roadworks

Nine months of closures on Taradale Road have cut takings by up to 40 percent, leaving one Marewa superette owner fearing bankruptcy.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Last week
Northland emergency workshop equips older people with practical advice
Northland

Northland emergency workshop equips older people with practical advice

Nearly 30 older residents learnt simple preparedness steps as Northland councils and emergency services urged stronger community links before disasters.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'Authors of Buller's misfortune': Flood protection funding bid fails
Risk & Compliance

'Authors of Buller's misfortune': Flood protection funding bid fails

Westport's flood defences face further delay after a USD $6.7 million Government funding bid was turned down, widening the scheme shortfall.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Repairing historic Tararua bridge costs more than replacement
Local Government

Repairing historic Tararua bridge costs more than replacement

Ratepayers may face a cheaper bill by replacing the 97-year-old Alfredton bridge, after repair estimates climbed above the cost of a new structure.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Road envy: Resident questions council call over resealing
Local Government

Road envy: Resident questions council call over resealing

Residents question why Whakatāne Council resurfaced one street with asphalt after saying the treatment was too costly for most roads.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Three-year high for dog attack complaints in Invercargill
Accident Compensation Corporation

Three-year high for dog attack complaints in Invercargill

Complaints have climbed to 95 in the past year, as Invercargill council warns poor dog ownership may be worsening alongside attacks.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Tauranga councillor Glen Crowther says he was required to view landslide files in supervised room
Risk & Compliance

Tauranga councillor Glen Crowther says he was required to view landslide files in supervised room

Access to Tauranga council records is under scrutiny after Glen Crowther said he had to review landslide files in a supervised room without notes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 7 min read • Last week
$10m for new SH25 bridge hoped to alleviate Coromandel traffic pains
Civil Defence

$10m for new SH25 bridge hoped to alleviate Coromandel traffic pains

Motorists on State Highway 25 should see fewer bottlenecks from next year as NZTA replaces the ageing Ramarama Stream Bridge with a two-lane crossing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Wellington stadium says it can't afford $42m maintenance bill for the next decade
Wellington Regional Council

Wellington stadium says it can't afford $42m maintenance bill for the next decade

Falling corporate suites and memberships are leaving Wellington's regional stadium unable to fund a GBP £42 million maintenance programme itself.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown tells island residents to 'cough up' for rubbish service
Auckland Council

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown tells island residents to 'cough up' for rubbish service

A targeted rate is being considered for Kawau Island after Wayne Brown said mainland Aucklanders should not subsidise its waste services.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Christopher Luxon announces National's alternative to introducing bed tax
Auckland Council

Christopher Luxon announces National's alternative to introducing bed tax

Councils could receive funding from international visitor levy receipts two years earlier under National's plan, with Auckland due NZD $19.1 million.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

HousingAI appoints sales head & researcher to grow
Digital Transformation

HousingAI appoints sales head & researcher to grow

Trust in AI tools for social housing is becoming a bigger selling point as HousingAI adds commercial and research expertise.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last week