Latest from Local Government

Confidence in a 'bright future' key to local govt success

Central government is encouraging local bodies to become more focused and efficient. Many are considering mergers with others and seeing how to cut costs.

Group to continue lobbying for fluoride removal

A group that helped to convince the Hamilton City Council to remove fluoride from its water supply says it will continue lobbying other councils throughout New Zealand to do the same.

Isla's mission: Save our swing

Nine-year-old Isla Lodewyks is so upset the Auckland Council took down a rope swing in Puhoi that she has started a petition to get it back.

Health advocates rue fluoride decision

Health advocates say a Hamilton City Council decision to drop fluoride from its water supply will mean a costly decline in oral health and the poor will suffer most.

Cathy Casey: Lazy owners send dogs to their deaths

Muzzled and waiting in a sterile room for the vet's lethal injection, this was the last sight that 3338 dogs in Auckland saw.

Brian Rudman: Money talks in race for mayoralty

Maurice Williamson's brief flirtation with fame is officially over, writes Brian Rudman. Dithering cost him his chance to become an international gay icon.

Regal hues for royal birthday

The Auckland War Memorial Museum put on a right royal show for the Queen's coronation anniversary.

12 questions: Penny Hulse

Officials to discuss arresting prostitutes and clients

Central government politicians have called a roundtable meeting in Wellington tomorrow to look for ways to control street prostitution in South Auckland.

Brian Rudman: Super City RIP... and it's the parents' fault

It would seem suicidal for a government to declare war on a third of the population. But that seems to be exactly what the Key Government is doing, writes Brian Rudman.

Christine Rose: No wonder Aucklanders are angry

The draft plan and the housing accord have led to fear, uncertainty and distrust in both the process and in those promulgating the plan, writes Christine Rose.

Potential conflicts loom on road ahead

Whether it's walls of apartments on the ridges overlooking Browns Bay or 18-storey high rises in Newmarket, the council is facing a chorus of complaints.

Mission: Restore faith in transport

The head of Auckland Transport has come out swinging against the public transport system he runs saying trains and buses are late, infrequent and overcrowded.

Jamie Hosking: Build up, not out to become world's most liveable city

Intensification of housing needs to be matched by intensification of amenities, writes Dr Jamie Hosking. It must be sensitive to heritage and design values,

Penny Hulse: No chance of a city full of high-rise homes

Half of suburban Auckland built up with three-storey apartments? Under the rules of the draft Unitary Plan it's about as likely as the sun setting in the east.

Richard Burton: Careful planning needed on apartments

The draft Auckland Unitary Plan proposes a fundamental change to the urban fabric of Auckland, writs Richard Burton. Multi-storey, high-density apartment buildings formerly reserved to the inner city and adjoining areas are now proposed.

Legal dispute may cost Council $30k

Budget 2013: Govt to control housing plans if councils drag chain

The Government says it will take control of housing planning and consent processes from councils if they do not act quickly enough to free up land for houses.