Kia ora and welcome to CityWatch NZ
This website focuses on issues with local government in New Zealand, especially those unpopular and concerning changes occurring in urban and suburban areas.
Our main purpose is to raise awareness and provide useful information for addressing the issues impacting New Zealand’s cities.
As the changes impacting our cities at a local level are often caused by international agendas and central government policies, CityWatch NZ content will range from local to worldwide in relevance and will emphasise the common cause people have in defending their rights. We hope that learning from examples in New Zealand and other countries, will help your local-scale efforts to resist and reverse those unwanted changes inflicted on your city.
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Smart Cities (and 20-minute cities)
A Smart City has cameras and sensors with the aim of data collection, automation, monitoring, control, and management of the city’s infrastructure and people. A 20-minute City is an urban planning concept that promotes walking, cycling and public transport and often seeks to reduce automobile use.
High-density Housing
New Zealand cities have seen a rapid growth in high-density housing. These are multi-unit homes instead of the stand-alone houses which were far more common for previous generations of New Zealanders. Both the shift to more high-density housing and the way this high-density housing is designed/built will impact people in New Zealand cities.
Climate Change and Weather
Climate change is a concept which is increasingly featured in city council documents and policy. Regardless of your views on climate change or the reality of climate change, the phrase ‘climate change’ is being used to justify a considerable amount of local government policy, actions, and spending. Severe weather events cause damage to our cities and endangering people within those cities.
Core Services
New Zealand’s city councils once focused on fixing potholes, maintaining pipes, keeping the buses moving, regularly collecting the rubbish, keeping flood waters away, as well as maintaining libraries, museums, reserves, parks, and recreation facilities. These were considered their “core services” prior to 2019. What changed? Are “core services” still considered important?
Law and Legislation
Local councils in New Zealand are meant to operate according a number of parliamentary acts. What future legislation is being planned with regard to local government?
EMF Pollution
Cities are often where electromagnetic pollution (EM or EMF pollution) is concentrated and increasing year-by-year. With increases in Wifi installations, cellular communication devices, 5G network installations, and the “Smart City” agenda we can expect more transmissions over the microwave and radio frequencies in our cities.
Council Finances
City Councils in many New Zealand cities are deep in debt. Rates increases are also expected in most of New Zealand’s cities. Are councils being transparent with the public about their financial situations and what caused those financial situations to develop?
Safety and Well-being
New Zealand’s city councils are increasingly using “safety” and “well-being” as justifications for unpopular policies, increased spending, and imposing transformational changes on our cities. Is actual safety and well-being genuinely improving in our cities? Are actual safety issues being addressed or dismissed by your city council?
Cities and Regions
- Auckland City
- Tauranga City
- Hamilton City
- Palmerston North City
- Porirua City
- Wellington City
- Christchurch City
- Dunedin City
- Invercargill City
- Far North District
- New Plymouth District
- Kapiti Coast District
- Buller District
OPINION: Six Major Reasons to Oppose Road Pricing
The authorities are planning to take you on “a journey” into a society with more surveillance and...
OPINION: Six Major Reasons to Oppose Road Pricing
The authorities are planning to take you on “a journey” into a society with more surveillance and...
OPINION: Are There Ghostbuses Running Amuck In Our City?
By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) My wife and I play a little game which we call – spot one of the...
No tolls on the new Manawatū Tararua Highway, public feedback was 90% against the proposed tolling
Summary State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge was closed in 2017 due to slips. The new road...
Consultation Closes 27 April 2025: “Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill”
The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill is currently before...
OPINION: Six Major Reasons to Oppose Road Pricing
The authorities are planning to take you on “a journey” into a society with more surveillance and...
Christchurch’s planned $590,000 raised crossing will only cross part of road due to disagreement between community boards
Summary Christchurch City Council is planning to install a raised pedestrian crossing across Deans...
Consultation Closes 27 April 2025: “Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill”
The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill is currently before...
Consultation Closes 27 April 2025: “Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill”
The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill is currently before...
Newsroom article: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third
Headline: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third Authored by: Jonathan Milne...
US court ruling on fluoride in drinking water being a health hazard
A major US court ruling on water fluoridation has judged that fluoridation of drinking water at...
Kāpiti Coastal Advisory Panel and managed retreat: June 2024 updates
June 2024 has been a busy month for the issues of climate change adaptation and managed retreat....
Newsroom article: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third
Headline: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third Authored by: Jonathan Milne...
News and Articles
New York Governor and the “Feds” clash over Manhattan’s new congestion charges
Summary New York City introduced congestion changing in early January 2025. The congestion...
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Concerns that areas of Hamilton are “wastewater network constrained”
On the 8th of April 2025, Hamilton City Council held a Strategic Growth and District Plan...
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Meeting Notice: 03 May 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated
From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association You are invited to our monthly meeting as...
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Plan Change 9: Kāinga Ora appeals against large blocks of Hamilton becoming Historic Heritage Areas
Government housing provider, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, is challenging areas in many...
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Christchurch’s planned $590,000 raised crossing will only cross part of road due to disagreement between community boards
Summary Christchurch City Council is planning to install a raised pedestrian crossing across Deans...
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Opinion and Interviews
OPINION: Are There Ghostbuses Running Amuck In Our City?
By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) My wife and I play a little game which we call – spot one of the...
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Concerns that areas of Hamilton are “wastewater network constrained”
On the 8th of April 2025, Hamilton City Council held a Strategic Growth and District Plan...
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OPEN LETTER: Colin Jones – Formal complaint against Hamilton City Council Mayor and CEO
Colin Jones supplied CityWatch NZ with a copy of this complaint against Hamilton City Council...
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OPINION: Ask Not What Your Council Can Do For You, But What It Can Do TO You.
By Jean Dorrell (Hamilton ratepayer and retired accountant) Until 2022 it had never occurred to me...
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OPEN LETTER: “HeritageGate” – The Problems with Hamilton’s Plan Change 9
Hamilton City Council has been imposing heritage designations on properties as part of Plan Change...
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