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Infrastructure NZ launches election campaign on policy
Power / Energy

Infrastructure NZ launches election campaign on policy

Voters are being asked to weigh party plans on transport, water and energy as Infrastructure New Zealand pushes infrastructure up the election agenda.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
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 • This month
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 • This month
$141k bill for Hauraki council to fix non-compliant plants
Risk & Compliance

$141k bill for Hauraki council to fix non-compliant plants

Ratepayers could face a NZD $141,388 repair bill as Hauraki council moves to bring three water plants up to code.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month
Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil
Tasman District Council

Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil

Reuse plans could cut ocean discharge and help irrigate crops, sports grounds and industry across Nelson Tasman within two years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • This month
Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ
Public Sector

Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ

Residents across Wairarapa and Tararua are set to gain safer, more reliable water services as Waitī Waters prepares for a July launch.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month
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 • Last month
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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last month
Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says
Risk & Compliance

Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says

Residents of the Ruapehu town were left without taps for nearly three days after a pipeline break went undetected, prompting calls for outside scrutiny.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs
Local Government

'Little bit grumpy': Rural residents shoulder water upgrade costs

Rural households in Tasman face higher bills as new national rules force long-delayed water upgrades to protect drinking safety.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last month
Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are
Risk & Compliance

Council manager's honest admission: We don't know where all our pipes are

Unrecorded sections of Southland's water network are complicating planning, as councillors were told the council still has pipes it cannot locate.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last month
Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks
Data Analytics

Improved water meter data helps Masterton plug leaks

Water losses in Masterton have been cut to 15% as better meter data helps the council spot hidden leaks and prompt repairs.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'
Radio New Zealand

Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'

Boil notices remain in place while testing continues, though Ohakune's water supply has been restored and the emergency is easing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last month
Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry
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 • Last month
'Never had anything like it' - The crisis that changed New Zealand, 10 years on
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 • Last month
Water New Zealand hails STEM subjects to ease skills gap
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 • Last month
New Zealand report flags strain in wastewater networks
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 • Mon, 27th Jul 2026

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