Government funding Stories

Kiwi Stories

Government funding stories

Hawke's Bay council records biggest capital programme

Only NZD $347,000 was left for unexpected costs after Hawke's Bay Regional Council spent a record NZD $75.1 million on capital projects.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Yesterday

Disaster Recovery

Wellington City Council buying out property affected by April flash flooding

One homeowner is set to be bought out after April's flash floods, as Wellington City Council says the site faces landslip risk from its own land.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Civil Defence

Kaikōura flood repairs progressing - but who will pay?

The council faces an $8m to $30m bill for urgent flood repairs, with a funding request still awaiting NZTA approval.

By David Hill • 3 min read • This month

Commerce Commission

Deputy mayor estimates price of fixing Wellington's pipes at $80k per ratepayer over 25 years

Wellington households face mounting pressure as fixing ageing pipes could add more than $80,000 to each ratepayer over 25 years.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 4 min read • Last month

New Zealand Labour Party

Hundreds of builders call for slashing of red-tape, quicker consents

A survey of 250 tradespeople found 56% want council fees and slow consenting tackled, as costs and delays are squeezing small builders.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Last month

Local Government

Council drags feet on key plan to safeguard West Coast tourist hotspo

Government funding for Franz Josef is still on hold as Westland District Council begins work on a compulsory master plan three years late.

By Vihan Dalal • 4 min read • Last month

Disaster Recovery

ECan backs Kaikōura flood recovery, calls for Government support

Funding gaps leave Kaikōura's flood recovery reliant on regional rates, after the council's bid for Government help was knocked back.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Tue, 29th Sep 2026

Local Government

Council funding will help curb suicide risk for Taranaki māmā

The grant will help equip a new Bell Block office for antenatal wānanga that say they are helping reduce suicide risk among new māmā.

By Craig Ashworth • 3 min read • Wed, 23rd Sep 2026

Disaster Recovery

Stopbank upgrade begins at 'vulnerable' Awatoto

Homes and businesses in Awatoto should be better protected from more common floods after a 3.6km stopbank upgrade got under way.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • Wed, 23rd Sep 2026

Architecture

Rotorua Museum construction wraps up a decade after quake closure

Visitors must wait another two years, even after the long-delayed Rotorua Museum build was finished on time and under budget.

By Mathew Nash • 3 min read • Mon, 21st Sep 2026

Urban Planning

Reprieve sought for blocked ambulance bay in Masterton

Parked cars are delaying emergency callouts in Masterton, prompting a council bid to extend no-stopping rules outside the ambulance station.

By Emily Ireland • 4 min read • Last month

Construction

Taupō sports venue gets $5.3 million sports hub

Funding for Taupō's lower fields now gives visiting teams accessible changing rooms, toilets and a dining room ahead of major tournaments.

By Bronson Perich • 3 min read • Last month

Urban Planning

Wellington stadium says it can't afford $42m maintenance bill for the next decade

Falling corporate suites and memberships are leaving Wellington's regional stadium unable to fund a GBP £42 million maintenance programme itself.

By Justin Wong • 3 min read • Wed, 9th Sep 2026

Auckland Council

Christopher Luxon announces National's alternative to introducing bed tax

Councils could receive funding from international visitor levy receipts two years earlier under National's plan, with Auckland due NZD $19.1 million.

By Jo Moir • 4 min read • Wed, 9th Sep 2026

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 Vihan Dalal • 4 min read • Mon, 7th Sep 2026

Global Stories

Government funding stories

Encryption

Should cybersecurity be nationalised?

As attacks increasingly spill across supply chains, policymakers are edging towards treating cyber security as a shared public good, not a private expense.

By Illka Gobius • 5 min read • Last month