Holes in the walls, a bin blaze burning for hours and children: Inside Spa Lodge
Revealed: The fire report that led to a backpackers' being deemed a dangerous building.
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Latest fromLocal Democracy
Gardens and golfing? Public consultation on use of land in Mount Maunganui
Omanu resident has been pushing for a community garden since 2021.
It's musical chairs at Northland Regional Council
There has been a surprising switch of roles at Northland's environmental council.
'High fire risk': 20 people moved out of lodge that 'dead-bolted' them in at night
The council issued the lodge two dangerous building notices within a week.
Tears and tension as councillors voted out at explosive meeting
A group of five councillors dominated the voting as major changes took place.
Paid parking plans delayed in Tauranga after public outcry
The council commission decided to delay the plans at a meeting on Monday.
Western Bay pushes ahead with water fluoridation despite ruling
'Council is maintaining a watching brief on legal developments.'
Flood-damaged pensioner flats to be demolished
Seven homes to be demolished after floods ripped through seaside town of Waihī Beach.
Māori ward decision greeted with strong emotion
There were hugs and tears of joy in the council chamber.
NZ tourism hotspot makes world's top 10 trending travel destinations
Accolade comes as tourism hotspot’s business community anticipates positive year ahead.
'Makes no sense': Stores barred from selling booze before 10am
But restaurants can still serve alcohol from 9am.
'Told you so': Council pauses fluoridation work after court judgement
"I am resisting the urge to say ‘I told you so’,” one councillor said.
NZ’s first wāhine Māori chairwoman resigns Northland Regional Council role
Tui Shortland's resignation effective from Tuesday's meeting; she stays on the council.
Kaipara councillor opens meeting with karakia despite mayor's ban
The meeting opened with the words: “Kia hora te marino”.
Rates due on Monday, but Northlanders are struggling
Northland council rates are due on Monday, but many are struggling to pay.
Ruh-roh: Hundreds of dog owners face $300 fines as registrations drop
With too many unregistered dogs for door-to-door visits, the fines will be mailed.
'You’ve come too far not to go further': The young mayor sparking change in the Far North
Moko Tepania said it has been a "hell of a year" but there's plenty more to do.
'Big win' for Springfield Golf Club as council moves to shelve controversial $62m precinct
A proposal to put sportsfields on the land sparked community backlash.
'Radical idea': Mayor’s managed retreat idea divides council
A late addition to a submission to the Government about managed retreat was presented.
Sulphur city: Damage to event centre structure costs council - but how much?
The options included either a $200,000 repair and replace or a $40,000 remove and make-do.
Pensioner flats in line for $1.6m makeover as mayor backs leasing option
Mayor says current financial model is 'difficult'; no units have been added since the 80s.
23 retiree flats empty: City considers $1.6m reno project
It is also looking at leasing its full $25m portfolio to a community housing provider.
'Inflexible': Farmers urged to boycott Freshwater Farm Plans
Groundswell says farmers should think carefully 'before deciding whether to sign up'.
Speed limit U-turn: Rotorua moves to 'tailored' approach over blanket rules
New rules mean the council will need to lower speed limits around schools.
Cycleway scrapped: Council listens to residents' concerns
Plans for a cycleway in Te Puke have been canned because of community opposition.
New closing times ‘tough’ on Tauranga's CBD bars
Bars will now have to stop admitting people earlier.
'Looks like the wild west': Fire-gutted motel greets Rotorua tourists
A fire gutted the Golden Glow Motel's main building almost two years ago.
Emotional haka as council votes for Māori wards
The council just became the 10th local authority in Waikato to establish the seats.
Mayor set to visit Japan and China - who will foot the bill
Tania Tapsell will visit two of Rotorua's sister cities at a cost of $10,000.
Public to get say on controversial 130-home Pongakawa development
The Western Bay of Plenty development is one step closer, despite opposition.
'Unsafe': Mayor targets 14 accommodation businesses
Tapsell is concerned about 14 providers she believes might be taking in tenants.
'Undoing a significant wrong': Roads returned to iwi used to build homes
Returning paper roads to marae is 'partially undoing a significant wrong'.
Opinion: Localism - the common thread in New Zealand's emerging coalition
OPINION: A solid foundation for the new Government.
Ombudsman 'deeply concerned' about transparency at Rotorua Lakes Council
He says the culture of closed-door workshops is 'ingrained'.