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Local Government stories

Mayors slam 'pointless', costly reviews that'll be voided by council mergers
Public Sector

Mayors slam 'pointless', costly reviews that'll be voided by council mergers

Ratepayers could face more than NZD $2.5 million in wasted work, as councils prepare reviews that may be overtaken by mergers.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Today
NRC explores how AI could boost council services and decision-making
Data Protection

NRC explores how AI could boost council services and decision-making

The review could identify quick wins for Northland residents, while weighing privacy, security and ethical risks before any rollout.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Today
Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth
Local Government

Emotional scenes as Tararua council votes to expand for population growth

The district's residential and industrial land shortage could bite within 25 years, prompting public consultation on rezoning in its main centres.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Today
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 RNZ • 3 min read • Today
Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart
Local Government

Rotorua seeks four-week extension after Head Start proposal falls apart

The council could be forced into a government-designed restructure unless ministers grant extra time after its regional reform plan collapsed.

By RNZ • 6 min read • Today
Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection
Local Government

Tauranga City Council submits Head Start reform proposal despite Western Bay rejection

Officials will still assess Tauranga's bid for a new unitary authority, despite Western Bay of Plenty District Council refusing to join it.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Yesterday
Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed
Radio New Zealand

Kawerau weighs up cost of cutting highway speed

Ratepayers could face a six-figure bill if Kawerau extends the 70kmh zone on State Highway 34, with funding uncertain.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Yesterday
Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last
Risk & Compliance

Popular Nelson track to be fixed, but it's not expected to last

Residents welcomed approval for a basic rebuild of Days Track, though council staff warn storms will likely damage it again.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Yesterday
Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future
Hutt City Council

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 RNZ • 8 min read • Yesterday
The South Island's 10 plans for reshaping local government
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 • Yesterday
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 RNZ • 5 min read • Yesterday
Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty, as council eyes redevelopment
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 RNZ • 4 min read • Yesterday
'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 RNZ • 6 min read • Yesterday
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 • 3 days ago
Civil Contractors New Zealand conference heads to Wellington
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 • 3 days ago
Opportunity seeks law for New Zealand infrastructure plan
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 • Last week
Politicians across party lines call for end to stop-start infrastructure investment
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 • Last week

Global Stories

Local Government stories

Measure/demonstrate: TechnologyOne boosts council digital transformation
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 • Last week