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Local Government Stories - Page 8

Kiwi Stories

Local Government stories

Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool
Energy efficient

Kāpiti Coast weighs up $1.4m splash on manu pool

Councillors will decide on Thursday whether to back a bigger Ōtaki pool rebuild that could make the site the lower North Island's only manu pool.

By Justin Wong • 3 min read • Last month
Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years
Licensing

Consents backlog whittled down but some waiting ten years

Long-delayed mining and resource applications are still pending on the West Coast, though the council has cut the queue to 43 from 199.

By Vihan Dalal • 2 min read • Last month
Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push
Urban Planning

Gisborne council to explore campervan dump station after decade-long push

Pressure is mounting on Gisborne's tourism infrastructure, with councillors weighing a campervan waste site after years of complaints and a closure.

By Imogen Brophy • 3 min read • Mon, 31st Aug 2026
You can't manage what you haven't measured: the execution test for water reform starts now
Digital Transformation

You can't manage what you haven't measured: the execution test for water reform starts now

Households could face higher bills unless new water entities lift delivery from councils' 60 to 80 per cent record and prove their costs.

By Jason Perera • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026
Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception
Internet of Things

Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception

About a quarter of the Rakaia rollout cannot yet report readings, leaving Ashburton District Council unable to rely on the system for wider use.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026
Exclusive: Are patchy gov responses to climate change enough?
Disaster Recovery

Exclusive: Are patchy gov responses to climate change enough?

Climate risks are already costing New Zealand billions a year as the government faces renewed criticism for its patchy adaptation plan.

By Mike Bishara • 8 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
'Tenacity' pays off in community's battle against gravel trucks
Urban Planning

'Tenacity' pays off in community's battle against gravel trucks

Residents of Clarkville have won a safer route after heavy trucks were barred from Baynons Road, easing dust and safety fears.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap
Public Sector

Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap

Waikato councils say a 4% rates cap will squeeze funding for water and wastewater, as mayors accuse ministers of hypocrisy.

By Jordan Smith • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes
Local Government

Gisborne bus patronage falls 16% as public transport network faces changes

Passenger losses have prompted a review of Gisborne's routes, stops and school services after bus use fell 16% in six months.

By Imogen Brophy • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users
Taxation

'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users

Forestry and dairy operators could face steep bills under a Carterton council plan to shift more roading repair costs onto heavy users.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Far North dog control crackdown sees workload surge
Northland

Far North dog control crackdown sees workload surge

Council enforcement against unregistered owners drove infringements up more than threefold, as dog control complaints and call-outs nearly doubled.

By Susan Botting • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026
Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'
Public Sector

Tasman council's rivers team 'under-resourced'

Benchmarking shows Tasman's rivers team is half the size of some peers, despite flood-hit communities pressing for stronger protection.

By Max Frethey • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor
National Party

Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor

Funding for sports facilities and community grants could be cut as Marlborough council tries to stay within a 4% rates cap.

By Kira Carrington • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Heavy traffic dilemma: Gisborne council investigates rerouting trucks
Supply Chain

Heavy traffic dilemma: Gisborne council investigates rerouting trucks

Funding sought for traffic modelling could decide whether heavy goods vehicles are diverted off Gisborne streets, easing pressure on deteriorating roads.

By Imogen Brophy • 5 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Car parks could go for upgrade of 'disaster' Nelson cycleway
Urban Planning

Car parks could go for upgrade of 'disaster' Nelson cycleway

Public pressure is building for changes to Nelson's St Vincent Street cycleway, as the council weighs parking removals after 12 crashes since 2014.

By Max Frethey • 5 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off
Urban Planning

Rotorua Airport's 20-year business park plan might finally take off

Approvals for earthworks on 5.65 hectares could unlock a 20-year airport business park plan, with new jobs and flood safeguards in Rotorua.

By Mathew Nash • 5 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026
Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million
Disaster Recovery

Revised Westport flood protection project to cost $40 million

Ratepayers in Westport may face higher bills as the flood protection scheme's cost blowout prompts a fresh consultation on a revised design.

By Vihan Dalal • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

Central Coast Council adopts Adobe tools in digital overhaul
Software-as-a-Service

Central Coast Council adopts Adobe tools in digital overhaul

Paper-heavy approvals and resident services should speed up as the council phases in Adobe software to cut delays, errors and privacy risk.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026