Local Government Stories - Page 22

Kiwi Stories

Local Government stories

What will change under the new RMA reform strategy?

Planning certainty may improve if the RMA is replaced, but businesses and councils fear new laws could still trigger costly litigation and delays.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Wed, 10th Feb 2021

Sustainability

Wellington appoints Mayoral Taskforce to solve water issues

Up to 30 percent of Wellington’s drinking water is lost to leaks, prompting a unanimous council push for urgent infrastructure upgrades.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 3rd Feb 2021

Risk & Compliance

Wastewater infrastructure vulnerable to climate change

Health and sanitation in many communities could be put at risk as sea-level rise and heavier rain strain wastewater systems.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Mon, 14th Dec 2020

Housing

Government must sort out its housing priorities

House prices could be kept artificially high, worsening inequality and locking buyers into the cost of poor policy, Infrastructure New Zealand says.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Fri, 11th Dec 2020

Public Sector

Overseas lessons in Resource Management reform

Without a clear plan, New Zealand's resource management overhaul will miss the Government's wellbeing and net-zero goals, says Infrastructure New Zealand.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Thu, 19th Nov 2020

Climate change

Gamechanger for Invercargill housing market

More than 600 new homes are planned for a 70-ha Invercargill site, with developers saying the project could ease pressure on buyers.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 17th Nov 2020

Risk & Compliance

Achieving better outcomes from your projects

Poorly written tenders can push up whole-of-life costs, as councils later face rework, weaker skills and more project delays.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Mon, 16th Nov 2020

Robotics

Hamilton leads the way in 3D construction

Hamilton City Council-backed QOROX is set to demonstrate the country’s first commercial-scale 3D-printed concrete project this week.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 16th Nov 2020

House of Travel

Takapuna BID appoints Andrew Hill as chairperson

The Business Improvement District levy will stay flat as Takapuna’s board backs a new chair and incoming members for the year ahead.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Fri, 30th Oct 2020

Education, Learning & Training

RMA reform only part of the solution

New planning laws may still fail to fix housing shortages and infrastructure gaps unless councils and agencies get more capacity and funding.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Sun, 4th Oct 2020

Risk & Compliance

How structural insulated panels could build New Zealand’s future

Researchers are testing whether structural insulated panels can speed up builds, cut costs and meet New Zealand’s earthquake standards.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 4th Oct 2020

Local Government

Regional partnerships essential for infrastructure growth

Such partnerships could help regions fund long-term projects, curb political meddling and ease New Zealand’s housing, transport and water strains.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Tue, 29th Sep 2020

Sustainability

Investment top of infrastructure wish list for next government

New Zealand’s recovery could stall without fresh spending, as lawyers urge the next government to widen shovel-ready funding and speed reform.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 28th Sep 2020

Education, Learning & Training

How to operate in a post-RMA environment

Weak planning, funding and governance are leaving New Zealand unable to deliver the wider public outcomes it now says it wants.

By Staff Writer • 9 min read • Tue, 22nd Sep 2020

Data Analytics

Big steps forward for Urban Growth Agenda

Sweeping planning and infrastructure reforms could speed housing and business land supply, although transport pricing still awaits progress.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2020

Digital Transformation

Hawkes Bay launches digital transformation project with TechnologyOne

New Zealand's Hawkes Bay Regional Council partners with TechnologyOne for a significant digital transformation project.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2020

Procurement

Political rabbits put in charge of the lettuce

Delayed project details are leaving construction firms unable to plan, risking job losses as ministers drip-feed a $2.6 billion infrastructure package.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 3rd Aug 2020

Sustainability

RMA should be scrapped, panel finds

Business leaders say the overhaul could speed up planning, cut costs and improve housing and infrastructure delivery, but local councils face uncertainty.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Wed, 29th Jul 2020