Local Government Stories - Page 3

Kiwi Stories

Local Government stories

Repairing historic Tararua bridge costs more than replacement

Ratepayers may face a cheaper bill by replacing the 97-year-old Alfredton bridge, after repair estimates climbed above the cost of a new structure.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Local Government

Road envy: Resident questions council call over resealing

Residents question why Whakatāne Council resurfaced one street with asphalt after saying the treatment was too costly for most roads.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Accident Compensation Corporation

Three-year high for dog attack complaints in Invercargill

Complaints have climbed to 95 in the past year, as Invercargill council warns poor dog ownership may be worsening alongside attacks.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Risk & Compliance

Tauranga councillor Glen Crowther says he was required to view landslide files in supervised room

Access to Tauranga council records is under scrutiny after Glen Crowther said he had to review landslide files in a supervised room without notes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 7 min read • This month

Civil Defence

$10m for new SH25 bridge hoped to alleviate Coromandel traffic pains

Motorists on State Highway 25 should see fewer bottlenecks from next year as NZTA replaces the ageing Ramarama Stream Bridge with a two-lane crossing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Wellington Regional Council

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Auckland Council

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown tells island residents to 'cough up' for rubbish service

A targeted rate is being considered for Kawau Island after Wayne Brown said mainland Aucklanders should not subsidise its waste services.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • This month

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 RNZ • 4 min read • This month

Risk & Compliance

$141k bill for Hauraki council to fix non-compliant plants

Ratepayers could face a NZD $141,388 repair bill as Hauraki council moves to bring three water plants up to code.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Local Government

Government road funding cuts will cost Tararua nearly $1.3M

Ratepayers face an extra NZD $1.286 million bill over three years unless Tararua's road funding cut is reversed.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

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 Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • This month

Local Government

Regional council discusses reducing stake in Bluff port despite record profit

Ratepayers could see lower risk exposure if the council proceeds, after discussions on a possible sell-down and a record $16.1 million profit.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Local Government

More than 650 properties under investigation in Mackenzie

Fears over housing pressure have prompted the Mackenzie District Council to inspect 655 short-term accommodation properties for rule breaches.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month

Generative AI

Mayor says 'large chunks' of Wellington council Deloitte report written by AI

Public trust in a costly staffing review is being tested after errors and AI use allegations prompted fresh scrutiny of Deloitte's analysis.

By RNZ • 2 min read • This month

Local Government

Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils

Ratepayers in Kaikōura and Hurunui may face increases to cover Canterbury's spatial plan, with costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • This month

Agricultural Technology

Tararua braces for an 'intense' El Niño season

Water restrictions are likely to come in earlier than usual as scientists warn the district faces one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • This month