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Local Government stories

Proposed cell tower ruffles feathers in Twizel
Local Government

Proposed cell tower ruffles feathers in Twizel

Residents fear a third mast in Twizel's town centre could go up without consultation, as the council urges Connexa to talk to the community.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Fixing historic, contentious Petone Wharf one step closer
Hutt City Council

Fixing historic, contentious Petone Wharf one step closer

Ratepayers are set to fund the first stage of the long-delayed $11.6 million repair, after demolition plans triggered a 6,000-name protest.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Council hits the accelerator on Rolleston ring-road roundabout
Procurement

Council hits the accelerator on Rolleston ring-road roundabout

Residents may face higher borrowing costs if NZTA co-funding falls through, as the $5.37 million Rolleston roundabout is brought forward.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Westpac first New Zealand bank to issue digital ID
Data Protection

Westpac first New Zealand bank to issue digital ID

Business customers can now verify bank account details faster and with less fraud risk as digital credentials debut through Govt.nz's app wallet.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
$14.9 million decision point for Whakatāne War Memorial Hall
Local Government

$14.9 million decision point for Whakatāne War Memorial Hall

Sports clubs will press Whakatāne councillors to back a single hall renewal plan, as staff warn phased works would prolong closures and raise costs.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Closed-door debate on new Masterton town hall
Local Government

Closed-door debate on new Masterton town hall

Councillors have backed an invited tender process for the project, with the new venue expected to be built within the remaining NZD $25 million budget.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Last week
Tokoroa's new $2 million hub reflects changing face of public libraries
Inland Revenue Department

Tokoroa's new $2 million hub reflects changing face of public libraries

Residents can now pay rates, borrow books and book free meeting rooms in Tokoroa's revamped $2 million community hub.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Farmers question 'fairness' of 230-home Amberley sub-division
Risk & Compliance

Farmers question 'fairness' of 230-home Amberley sub-division

North Canterbury growers say the plan risks sacrificing productive farmland for a 230-home development with little consultation.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
'It's hell': Queenstown workers, mayor, firefighter fed up with traffic congestion
Climate change

'It's hell': Queenstown workers, mayor, firefighter fed up with traffic congestion

Chronic gridlock is forcing missed call-outs, long school runs and stalled businesses, prompting Queenstown officials to seek fixes.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Last week
Councils to be allowed to charge developers with new levy from 2029
Commerce Commission

Councils to be allowed to charge developers with new levy from 2029

Existing ratepayers could be spared higher bills as councils prepare to shift more of the cost of new housing infrastructure onto developers from 2029.

By RNZ • 4 min read • Last week
Reprieve sought for blocked ambulance bay in Masterton
Wellington Regional Council

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Waipu's 'kamikaze corner' could become $1m roundabout
Northland

Waipu's 'kamikaze corner' could become $1m roundabout

Councillors face a petition-backed push to spend GBP £100,000 on design for a safety fix at Waipu's busiest junction.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils
Local Government

Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils

Reform costs are already uneven across North Canterbury, with Waimakariri spending nearly GBP £129,000 and Hurunui just GBP £5,500.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Hastings speed limits: Almost 60 roads proposed for lower limits
AA

Hastings speed limits: Almost 60 roads proposed for lower limits

Residents are being asked for views on lower speeds across nearly 60 Hastings roads, with changes aimed at safer streets and school zones.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
Intensive care specialist questions Whangārei airport rescue helicopter location
Northland

Intensive care specialist questions Whangārei airport rescue helicopter location

Noise complaints and lease talks are mounting as a Whangārei intensive care specialist says the airport base adds delays without improving transfers.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 6 min read • Last week
$6.2m water main project set to disrupt Hastings for 11 months
Disaster Recovery

$6.2m water main project set to disrupt Hastings for 11 months

Central Hastings businesses face parking curbs and possible road closures for nearly a year as a new drinking water trunk main is built.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Last week
Councils face squeezing multi-million spatial plan bill under rates cap
Housing

Councils face squeezing multi-million spatial plan bill under rates cap

Ratepayers could face higher bills as Canterbury councils prepare a mandatory regional spatial plan estimated at GBP £7 million to GBP £10 million.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

Virgin Media O2 launches GBP £3m device reuse fund
IT Industry

Virgin Media O2 launches GBP £3m device reuse fund

Millions of unused phones and laptops could be redirected to people without kit as the telecoms group backs local reuse schemes until 2030.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last week