Local Government Stories - Page 4

Kiwi Stories

Local Government stories

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 • This month

Productivity

The South Island's 10 plans for reshaping local government

Ratepayers could face a major shake-up by 2028, as officials assess ten South Island council reorganisation plans now on the government's desk.

By RNZ • 7 min read • This month

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 • This month

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 • This month

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 • This month

Data Analytics

Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap

The sector's 10,000-worker shortfall could widen unless more students see water jobs beyond engineering, Water New Zealand says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month

Digital Transformation

Civil Contractors New Zealand conference heads to Wellington

With more than 600 delegates expected, the event will put transport, procurement and pipeline concerns in front of election-year politicians.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month

New Zealand Labour Party

Opportunity seeks law for New Zealand infrastructure plan

Long-term asset upkeep would take priority under a plan aimed at shielding New Zealand infrastructure from election-cycle politics and funding gaps.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • This month

New Zealand Labour Party

Politicians across party lines call for end to stop-start infrastructure investment

Consensus remained broad, but party MPs still clashed over who should pay for long-term works and how to curb costly overdesign.

By RNZ • 3 min read • This month

Risk & Compliance

South Dunedin councils split flood plan into two tracks

Residents could see faster flood protection decisions as the councils pursue urgent works now while weighing South Dunedin's long-term climate response.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Local Government

New Zealand widens levy funding for infrastructure

More housing and transport projects can now tap private finance as Parliament broadens levy-backed funding to ease council borrowing pressure.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks

Untreated discharges, leakage and ageing assets are putting public health and the environment at risk, the water watchdog says.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Local Government stories

Software-as-a-Service

Invercargill council completes first cloud payroll

The new platform should improve payroll accuracy and reporting for about 550 staff as the council phases out ageing systems across its operations.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • This month

Software-as-a-Service

Measure/demonstrate: TechnologyOne boosts council digital transformation

Councils are being urged to track savings and focus on improvement after software roll-outs, as one New Zealand authority cuts ERP ownership costs by 38%.

By Donovan Jackson • 5 min read • This month