Local Government Stories

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Local Government stories

Why Hamilton has so many speed bumps

Safety gains from raised road platforms in Hamilton are outweighing complaints, as councils review costly fixes for faulty installations.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

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 • Yesterday

Smart Cities

Canada sets rules for responsible data centre growth

Local councils will get a national baseline as Ottawa seeks to curb power bills, water use and hidden impacts from new data centres.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Yesterday

Local Government

Government road funding cuts will cost Tararua nearly $1.3M

Ratepayers face an extra NZD $1.286 million bill over three years unless Tararua's road funding cut is reversed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Climate change

West Coast business welcomes NZTA's U-turn on road funding

Councils and ratepayers have been spared steep local bills after NZ Transport Agency kept majority funding for two isolated West Coast roads through 2030.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Local Government

Regional council discusses reducing stake in Bluff port despite record profit

Ratepayers could see lower risk exposure if the council proceeds, after discussions on a possible sell-down and a record $16.1 million profit.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Local Government

More than 650 properties under investigation in Mackenzie

Fears over housing pressure have prompted the Mackenzie District Council to inspect 655 short-term accommodation properties for rule breaches.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Generative AI

Mayor says 'large chunks' of Wellington council Deloitte report written by AI

Public trust in a costly staffing review is being tested after errors and AI use allegations prompted fresh scrutiny of Deloitte's analysis.

By RNZ • 2 min read • 2 days ago

Local Government

Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils

Ratepayers in Kaikōura and Hurunui may face increases to cover Canterbury's spatial plan, with costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week

Agricultural Technology

Tararua braces for an 'intense' El Niño season

Water restrictions are likely to come in earlier than usual as scientists warn the district faces one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week

Risk & Compliance

Council boss apologises over Westport flood funding 'miscommunication'

Westport residents are set to share NZD $1.8 million in flood protection funds after the regional council admitted the split was badly communicated.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week

Small Business

Boulders blamed for increase in illegal parking

Footpath parking has surged in Ōpōtiki after six spaces were removed from Church Street, prompting complaints from struggling retailers.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week

Civil Defence

Wairoa's floods help drive change to emergency management law

Wairoa councils will soon be able to clear river mouths and debris sooner, after floods exposed delays in emergency response.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week

Māori

'Iconic national' road thrown a funding lifeline

Ratepayers in South Wairarapa will avoid a funding gap of up to NZD $35 million after NZTA agreed to keep Cape Palliser Rd largely subsidised for three years.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week

Customer Experience

New Zealand Master Builders report resilient pipelines

Homeowners and builders are still coping with cost and consenting pressures, but most recent projects avoided major disruption.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last week

Risk & Compliance

Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures

Council chiefs faced intense scrutiny after a review said six deaths in the Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable, with inquiries still under way.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week