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 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.

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?