Latest fromLocal Government
![Calls for more voting options to boost Pacific turnout](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Calls for more voting options to boost Pacific turnout
Electoral Reform Group to look at how to improve voter turnout.
![The councils with the steepest rates rises, and why](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
The councils with the steepest rates rises, and why
Councils say the rates hikes are due to the rising cost of the basics.
![$40,000 cocktail party: Council decision to withhold guest list goes to Ombudsman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
$40,000 cocktail party: Council decision to withhold guest list goes to Ombudsman
Internal emails show staff debated releasing names of attendees and funders.
![Private island site no excuse for not fencing swimming pool in Far North](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Private island site no excuse for not fencing swimming pool in Far North
The owners of Motukawaiti Island had argued young children would never visit the site.
![‘Too painful’: We could have done better on lowering rates – councillor](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
‘Too painful’: We could have done better on lowering rates – councillor
One councillor called it 'totally unpalatable'.
![Kaipara Harbour water test near town shows alarmingly high levels of aluminium](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kaipara Harbour water test near town shows alarmingly high levels of aluminium
The aluminium could be toxic to fish and a potential cause of 'zombie' snapper.
![Shane Te Pou: Where to next for Tauranga - a developers' dream or a city for everyone?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Shane Te Pou: Where to next for Tauranga - a developers' dream or a city for everyone?
OPINION: The first time I ever got called a 'black bastard' was in a pub in Tauranga.
![Independent arbiter needed for code of conduct complaints, mayors say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Independent arbiter needed for code of conduct complaints, mayors say
It follows a complaint on Hamilton city councillor Andrew Bydder’s expletive-laden rant.
![Rubbish, rates and housing behind huge number of submissions to council plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Rubbish, rates and housing behind huge number of submissions to council plan
Bins and funding priorities were the most hotly debated areas of the Taupō council's plan.
![Waikato council changes tack on representation proposal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Waikato council changes tack on representation proposal
Hauraki District Council agrees to retain the status quo of 13 councillors plus the mayor.
!['Remote' building inspections bring pluses and minuses, industry leader says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Remote' building inspections bring pluses and minuses, industry leader says
John Gray urges 'greater consequences' for lawbreakers as the Govt removes red tape.
![Private cocktail party cost $40k but details of who attended still under wraps](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Private cocktail party cost $40k but details of who attended still under wraps
The event was held to celebrate the city.
![Leaky garage: 'Inaccurate' statement comes back to bite seller three years later](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Leaky garage: 'Inaccurate' statement comes back to bite seller three years later
Former owner liable for $29k repair costs because of what he said when he owned it.
!['We don't want to be forgotten': Wairoa promised millions for flood clean-up as PM visits affected locals](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'We don't want to be forgotten': Wairoa promised millions for flood clean-up as PM visits affected locals
Mum who spoke to PM feared for her and young son's lives as floodwaters rose 'so fast'.
![Mayor Wayne Brown's 'Biden moment'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Mayor Wayne Brown's 'Biden moment'
The Mayor of Auckland accidentally revealed confidential information during a public meeting, and compared himself to the US president and his forgetfulness. Video / AC
![Hamilton Long-Term Plan adopted with focus on balancing the books](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Hamilton Long-Term Plan adopted with focus on balancing the books
Hamilton City Council adopted its Long-Term Plan 2024-34 yesterday.
![Waipā rates up almost 15% in tough times](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Waipā rates up almost 15% in tough times
Waipā District Council said it cut its cloth to reduce proposed rate increase.
![Investigation launched into Hamilton councillor who wrote expletive-laden rant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Investigation launched into Hamilton councillor who wrote expletive-laden rant
He made the comments in an online submission to Waipā District Council.
![Neville Carter's decades of cemetery dedication celebrated](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Neville Carter's decades of cemetery dedication celebrated
The groundsman has the target of 50 years of service firmly in his sights.
![Wellington public transport fares to increase by 10%](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Wellington public transport fares to increase by 10%
The fare hike is needed to cover the rising cost of running the city's transport network.
![Former mayor confronts intruder, who had a nail gun, trying to 'claim' her house](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Former mayor confronts intruder, who had a nail gun, trying to 'claim' her house
'He was screaming and ranting at me, and I just thought, ‘I have to protect myself''.