Category: Cities

OPINION: Taxpayers’ Union Misrepresented Candidates’ Views with the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” Campaign

Nov 1, 2025 | Auckland 2025, Auckland City, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Official Information Act, Opinion, Rates Increases

OPINION: Safety or Ideology?

Nov 1, 2025 | Consultation, Council Spending, Cycleways, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Newsroom article: “Ratepayers rout mayors who imposed big rises”

Oct 31, 2025 | Asset Sales, Buller District, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Elections, Far North District, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Infrastructure, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Wellington 2025, Wellington City, Whanganui District

October 2025 Coverage of S&P’s “New Zealand Water Reforms Don’t Guarantee Rating Relief For Local Councils” Report

Oct 31, 2025 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Dunedin City, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Infrastructure, Invercargill City, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Local Government Reform, Nelson City, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Water Meters, Wellington City

Consultation Closes 9 November 2025: Morrinsville Road upgrades, Hamilton

Oct 28, 2025 | Consultation, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, News, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Meeting 1 November 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Oct 28, 2025 | Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, News

Household Water Costs in Hamilton City Projected to Triple within 9-years under New Water Company

Sep 1, 2025 | Article, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Infrastructure, LGFA, Local Government Reform, News, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Waikato Region

OPINION: Transforming New Zealand’s Local Government

Aug 31, 2025 | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cities, Consultation, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Data-driven, Direct Democracy, Fixing Councils Series, Flood Risk, Infrastructure, International, Internet of Things, Law and Legislation, Libraries and Museums, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Public Transport, Recycling, Sports and Events, Transport and Roading

Auckland Election 2025 Events

Aug 22, 2025 | Auckland 2025, Auckland City, Elections, Hamilton 2025, News, Taking Action

Cities

What are the disadvantages and negative impacts of “traffic calming”?

Feb 9, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Official Information Act, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Wellington City

Common sense and experience would tell us that “traffic calming” measures, such as installing...

Hamilton City Council Long-Term Plan Hearings: Day 2 Highlights

Jun 7, 2024 | Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Rates Increases, Taking Action, Transport and Roading
OPINION “Local Water Done Well” and the Hamilton Ratepayer

Aug 31, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Water Meters
Michael Connett’s NZ Speaking Tour on Water Fluoridation

Jan 21, 2025 | Auckland City, Cities and Regions, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hutt City, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Water Fluoridation, Wellington City
OPINION: Why Make Things Simple When You Can Make Them Complicated?

May 29, 2025 | Council Finances, Council Funding, Hamilton City, Internet of Things, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Transport and Roading
Email addresses for Tauranga City Councillors

Aug 22, 2025 | Council Meetings, Councillor Email Addresses, Taking Action, Tauranga City
Email addresses for Christchurch City Councillors

Oct 1, 2023 | Christchurch City, Council Meetings, Councillor Email Addresses, Taking Action
OPINION: Water meters back on the cards for Hamilton

Mar 27, 2024 | Core Services, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Tauranga City, Three Waters, Wellington City

Cities

OPINION: Taxpayers’ Union Misrepresented Candidates’ Views with the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” Campaign

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and Hamilton East Ward/Mayoral Candidate) Were over...

Additional Posts

OPINION: A Surge of New Voters can Reset Hamilton’s West — Here’s How

Oct 2, 2025 | Bank, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Housing supply, Infrastructure, Libraries and Museums, Opinion, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

By Roderick John Young ( Hamilton West Ward candidate 2025) With less than a fortnight until polls...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Stuart Aitken

Sep 30, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Infrastructure, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Stuart Aitken’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton City...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Graeme Mead

Sep 30, 2025 | Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Housing supply, Infrastructure, Libraries and Museums, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Transport and Roading

Graeme Mead’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton City...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Rachel Afeaki

Sep 30, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Infrastructure, Libraries and Museums, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases

Rachel Afeaki’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton City...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Rachel Karalus

Sep 30, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Homelessness, Housing supply, Infrastructure, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Social problems

Rachel Karalus’ Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton City...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Horiana Henderson

Sep 19, 2025 | Bank, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, LGFA, LGNZ, Opinion, Rates Increases, Voting Record

Horiana Henderson’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Lawrence Jensen

Sep 15, 2025 | Crime, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Social problems

Lawrence Jensen’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Roderick John Young

Aug 31, 2025 | Bank, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Housing supply, Infrastructure, Opinion, Rates Increases

Roderick John Young’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Mesh Macdonald

Aug 31, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Infrastructure, Opinion, Rates Increases

Mesh Macdonald’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Roger Stratford

Aug 30, 2025 | Climate Change and Weather, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Elections, Freedom of Expression, Global Warming, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, LGFA, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Roger Stratford’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2025 Hamilton...

Meet the Candidates: 10 September 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Aug 30, 2025 | Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, News

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Waikato Regional...

Hamilton City Election 2025 Events & Opinion Pieces

Aug 22, 2025 | Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, News, Taking Action, Waikato Region

UPDATE: Hamilton City Council’s Official Results as copied from the Hamilton City Council...

Meet the Candidates: 27 August 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Aug 22, 2025 | Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, News

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Hamilton West...

OPINION: When Will Someone Say STOP?

Aug 18, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Libraries and Museums, Mode Shift, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Regulations, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Sports and Events, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Graeme Mead (Hamilton West Ward Candidate) It’s election year in Hamilton, and the question...

Community Organises Opposition to the Site Selection of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Proposed for Southern Hamilton

Aug 17, 2025 | Article, Building Consent, Core Services, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, News, Pollution, Property Rights, Protest, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Three Waters, Waikato Region, Waipa District

Over 70 people attended an afternoon meeting on the 9th of August, where a community on the edge...

Open Invitation for Candidate Opinion Pieces

Aug 10, 2025 | Article, Auckland City, Buller District, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Dunedin City, Elections, Far North District, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Invercargill City, Kaipara District, Kapiti Coast District, Local Government Reform, Nelson City, New Plymouth District, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Rangitīkei District, Taking Action, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Wellington City, Whanganui District

Given the number of elections running across the country, sending out personal invites to every...

Consultation Closes 27 August 2025: “Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill”

Aug 10, 2025 | Arts and Cultural, Auckland City, Buller District, Christchurch City, Cities, Cities and Regions, Code of Conduct complaints, Consultation, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Dunedin City, Far North District, Freedom of Expression, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Invercargill City, Kaipara District, Kapiti Coast District, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Nelson City, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Parks and Reserves, Porirua City, Rangitīkei District, Regions, Regulations, Safety and Well-being, Sports and Events, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Upper Hutt City, Voting Record, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Whanganui District

The Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill is currently before Parliament. Public...

OPINION: Free Tickets and Foggy Justifications

Aug 8, 2025 | Arts and Cultural, Council Spending, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Opinion, Regulations, Sports and Events

By Graeme Mead (Hamilton West Ward Candidate) Why Ratepayers Deserve Transparency Hamilton...

The History of Claudelands Events Centre – A Questionable Commercial Venture

Aug 4, 2025 | Article, Arts and Cultural, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Overview, Rates Increases, Sports and Events, Waikato Region

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) Summary The Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton was funded...

OPEN LETTER: Russelle Knaap – Save The Founders Theatre

Aug 2, 2025 | Arts and Cultural, Contractors, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Open Letters, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Protest

Russelle Knaap provides CityWatch NZ with an open letter based on what was sent to Hamilton City...

Council Performance Information Released by Internal Affairs

Aug 1, 2025 | Article, Cities, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, LGFA, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Regions, Resources

Summary Internal Affairs has released its first set of council performance information which can...

Meet the Candidates: 06 August 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Aug 1, 2025 | Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, News, Transport and Roading

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Hamilton East...

OPINION: Water is Life – But Can You Afford It?

Aug 1, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases, Regulations, Three Waters

By Michael West (Engineer and Hamilton West Ward Candidate) Reproduced with permission from Better...

OPINION: LGNZ is Confusing Myth and Truth (Part 1)

Jul 31, 2025 | Arts and Cultural, Auckland City, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGFA, LGNZ, New Zealand Issues, Official Information Act, Opinion, Parliament, Protest, Rates Increases, Rubbish, Sports and Events, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Water Meters, Wellington City, Whanganui District

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and Hamilton East Ward Candidate) Local Government New...

OPINION: Roundabouts, Crossings and Common Sense (or Lack Thereof)

Jul 31, 2025 | Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Whanganui District

By Jean Dorrell (Hamilton ratepayer, pedestrian, cyclist and driver) Introduction Road safety is...

LGNZ holds annual conference and engages in propaganda war with Taxpayers’ Union

Jul 31, 2025 | Buller District, Christchurch City, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Far North District, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Invercargill City, Kapiti Coast District, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, Nelson City, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Palmerston North City, Petitions, Porirua City, Professional Managerial Class, Protest, Rangitīkei District, Rates Increases, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Upper Hutt City, Voting Record, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Wellington City, Whanganui District

Summary Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) describes itself as “a membership body for Aotearoa’s...

Why are Councils Leaving LGNZ?

Jul 31, 2025 | Article, Cities, Climate Change and Weather, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Global Agendas, Global Warming, Government Organisations, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Regions, Taking Action, Voting Record

What is Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)? Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is a membership...

OPINION: Hamilton’s New Theatre — A Recent History

Jul 7, 2025 | Arts and Cultural, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, News, Opinion

By Rob Pascoe (Chartered Accountant, Former Hamilton City Councillor, and Hamilton Ratepayer) In...

OPINION: A City on the Move — But Not in the Right Direction

Jul 7, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward By-election 2024, Opinion, Rates Increases, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Horiana Henderson (Hamilton East Ward Candidate) In the hushed hall of Fairfield Baptist Church...

OPINION: Investing in Infrastructure to Support Hamilton’s Growth

Jun 30, 2025 | Building Consent, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Housing supply, Opinion, Rates Increases, Regulations, Three Waters

By Mike West (Engineer and Hamilton East Ward Candidate) When I stood for Council in 2016, I was...

OPINION: Hamilton’s proposed “Ratepayer Assistance” Scheme Risks Becoming a Debt Trap

Jun 30, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Opinion, Rates Increases

By Mark Flyger (Financial Accountant and CFO Modern Transport Group) Originally published on...

Q & A: The Single Transferable Vote (STV) System in Local Elections 2025

Jun 30, 2025 | Article, Cities and Regions, Dunedin City, Elections, Far North District, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Kaipara District, Kapiti Coast District, Nelson City, New Plymouth District, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

What is STV? Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a voting system implemented in a number of councils...

2025 Local Government Elections

Jun 30, 2025 | Article, Auckland City, Buller District, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Dunedin City, Elections, Far North District, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Invercargill City, Kaipara District, Kapiti Coast District, Local Government Reform, Nelson City, New Plymouth District, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Rangitīkei District, Taking Action, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Wellington City, Whanganui District

2025 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS Most councils in New Zealand are having local government elections...

Opposition to Automatic Number Plate Recognition Camera Systems Builds in the USA

Jun 29, 2025 | Article, Cities, Crime, Global Agendas, International, Internet of Things, News, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is the term usually used in New Zealand for...

Hamilton City Council votes to fund work towards creating new multi-council finance company

Jun 29, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, LGFA, LGNZ, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Regulations, Voting Record

Summary The Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), Cameron...

Hamilton City Council votes to reject increasing its debt-to-revenue limit to 350%

Jun 29, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, LGFA, News, Regulations, Voting Record

Summary Most councils in New Zealand borrow from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) and...

OPINION: Potholes as a Traffic Calming Measure?

Jun 29, 2025 | Core Services, Hamilton City, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Jean Dorrell (Hamilton ratepayer and retired accountant) I was driving, looking for a street I...

AGM Notice: 07 June 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Jun 5, 2025 | Elections, Hamilton City, News, Taking Action

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association You are all invited and very welcome to...

KPMG International Publication – “The Great Reset: Emerging trends in infrastructure and transport”

May 31, 2025 | Article, Asset Sales, Cities, Climate Change and Weather, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Developer Contributions, Global Agendas, Global Warming, International, Internet of Things, News, Opinion, Regulations, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Three Waters, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading, WEF

Summary The 2025 edition of KPMG’s “Emerging trends in infrastructure and transport” document is...

OPINION: Council Growth Financial Model 2019-2025

May 31, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Rates Increases

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Numbers have been rounded for simplification....

OPINION: I Am Not a Number!

May 30, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Back in 1967, the lead character in the TV series The...

New York Governor and the “Feds” clash over Manhattan’s new congestion charges

Apr 30, 2025 | Article, C40 Cities, Cities, Climate Change and Weather, Court case, Global Agendas, Global Warming, International, Internet of Things, Mode Shift, News, Public Transport, Regulations, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary New York City introduced congestion changing in early January 2025. The congestion...

OPINION: Are There Ghostbuses Running Amuck In Our City?

Apr 30, 2025 | Cities, Climate Change and Weather, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, Opinion, Pollution, Public Transport, Transport and Roading

By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) My wife and I play a little game which we call – spot one of the...

Concerns that areas of Hamilton are “wastewater network constrained”

Apr 30, 2025 | Core Services, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, High-density Housing, Housing supply, News, Opinion, Pollution, Protest, Regulations, Resource Management Act (RMA), Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Three Waters, Voting Record

On the 8th of April 2025, Hamilton City Council held a Strategic Growth and District Plan...

OPEN LETTER: Colin Jones – Formal complaint against Hamilton City Council Mayor and CEO

Apr 30, 2025 | Building Consent, Core Services, Hamilton City, Housing supply, Law and Legislation, Open Letters, Opinion, Regulations, Resource Management Act (RMA), Three Waters

Colin Jones supplied CityWatch NZ with a copy of this complaint against Hamilton City Council...

Meeting Notice: 03 May 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Apr 29, 2025 | Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, News, Transport and Roading

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association You are invited to our monthly meeting as...

OPINION: Ask Not What Your Council Can Do For You, But What It Can Do TO You.

Apr 29, 2025 | Building Consent, Consultation, Contractors, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Heritage buildings, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Plan Change, Property Rights, Regulations, Resource Management Act (RMA)

By Jean Dorrell (Hamilton ratepayer and retired accountant) Until 2022 it had never occurred to me...

Plan Change 9: Kāinga Ora appeals against large blocks of Hamilton becoming Historic Heritage Areas

Apr 29, 2025 | Building Consent, Court case, Hamilton City, Heritage buildings, High-density Housing, Housing supply, Law and Legislation, News, Property Rights, Regulations, Resource Management Act (RMA), Taking Action

Government housing provider, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, is challenging areas in many...

OPEN LETTER: “HeritageGate” – The Problems with Hamilton’s Plan Change 9

Apr 29, 2025 | Building Consent, Contractors, Government Organisations, Hamilton City, Heritage buildings, Law and Legislation, Open Letters, Opinion, Property Rights, Regulations, Resource Management Act (RMA)

Hamilton City Council has been imposing heritage designations on properties as part of Plan Change...

Christchurch’s planned $590,000 raised crossing will only cross part of road due to disagreement between community boards

Apr 29, 2025 | Christchurch City, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

Summary Christchurch City Council is planning to install a raised pedestrian crossing across Deans...

No tolls on the new Manawatū Tararua Highway, public feedback was 90% against the proposed tolling

Apr 22, 2025 | Cities and Regions, Consultation, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, News, Palmerston North City, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Safety and Well-being, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge was closed in 2017 due to slips. The new road...

OPINION: Six Major Reasons to Oppose Road Pricing

Apr 22, 2025 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Consultation, Council Debt, Council Funding, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Internet of Things, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Parliament, Petitions, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

The authorities are planning to take you on “a journey” into a society with more surveillance and...

Consultation Closes 27 April 2025: “Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill”

Apr 1, 2025 | Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities, Consultation, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Global Agendas, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Internet of Things, Invercargill City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, Nelson City, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

The Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill is currently before...

Consultations April 2025: “Local Water Done Well” Water Service Reforms

Mar 31, 2025 | Christchurch City, Cities, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Porirua City, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Water Meters, Wellington City

There are “Local Water Done Well” consultations running at councils around the country with many...

OPINION: Commentary on the Time of Use Charging Amendment Bill

Mar 31, 2025 | Auckland City, Consultation, Council Funding, Incoming Legislation, Internet of Things, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Parliament, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) Before...

Council Uses Leading Questions in Wairere Drive Speed Reduction Consultation

Mar 31, 2025 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Resource Management Act (RMA), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) The 2025 consultation results for this speed reduction on a...

OPINION: Serious Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability with Water Services

Mar 31, 2025 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Kaipara District, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Parliament, Protest, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Water Meters, Wellington City

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) With...

OPINION: Is Removing Water Services from Rates an Existential Threat to Councils?

Mar 31, 2025 | Auckland City, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Flood Risk, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Three Waters, Water Meters, Wellington City

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) The vast...

OPINION: Gold-plated White Elephants

Mar 30, 2025 | Auckland City, Contractors, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Imagine a gold-plated Rolls Royce for $1m. NZTA offers...

Meeting Notice: 27 March 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Mar 26, 2025 | Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Local Government Reform, News

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association You are in invited to the second of our...

OPINION: Consult or Insult?

Mar 23, 2025 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Elected councillors or MPs are easily manipulated by...

OPINION: Thomas Road/Hukanui Road-Horsham Downs Road Roundabout – An Investigation

Feb 28, 2025 | Cities, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, Opinion, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) Introduction Hamilton City Council (HCC) declares on page 26 of its...

Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing design replaced with a $546,000 “at-level” crossing

Feb 28, 2025 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

On 23 October 2024, Hamilton City Council voted to redesign the planned raised crossing on...

OPINION: Giggles & Failure – How Hamilton City Council Approved Another Raised Platform on Wairere Drive

Feb 28, 2025 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Resource Management Act (RMA), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) In March...

Minister of Local Government Reassigned in January 2025

Feb 27, 2025 | Government Organisations, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, News, Parliament, Taking Action, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

In the January 2025 Cabinet reshuffle, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown was reassigned and...

OPINION: Wairere Drive Speed Reduction Submission

Feb 27, 2025 | Consultation, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Open Letters, Opinion, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) [Excerpt from Geoff Kreegher’s Submission for the...

OPINION: The 2025/26 HCC Budget – More of the Same and No “Fresh Thinking” (Yet) for Election Year

Feb 27, 2025 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases, Rubbish

By Rob Pascoe (Chartered Accountant, Former Hamilton City Councillor, and Hamilton Ratepayer) At...

Meeting Notice: 27 February 2025 – Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association Incorporated

Feb 27, 2025 | Core Services, Elections, Flood Risk, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Local Government Reform, News, Three Waters, Water Fluoridation, Water Meters

From the Hamilton Residents & Ratepayers Association You are invited to our monthly meeting...

OPINION: Breaking the Spending Addiction

Feb 26, 2025 | Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities, Cities and Regions, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, LGFA, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Councils love spending other people’s money. But if it...

Consultation Closes 28 February 2025: Hamilton City’s District Plan Change 14

Jan 30, 2025 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Flood Risk, Global Warming, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Law and Legislation, Natural Hazards, New Zealand Issues, News, Property Rights, Taking Action

The public consultation for changing the Hamilton City District Plan based on flood risk modelling...

Consultation Closes 7 March 2025: Lowering Speed Limit on Wairere Drive, Hamilton

Jan 30, 2025 | Consultation, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, News, Resource Management Act (RMA), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

The public consultation for lowering the speed limit on Hamilton’s Wairere Drive closes on 7...

OPINION: How to Fix Councils

Jan 30, 2025 | Building Consent, Cities and Regions, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, LGFA, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Open Letters, Opinion, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Rates Increases, Resource Management Act (RMA), Three Waters, Transport and Roading

A guide to help concerned citizens organise for the next election By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City...

Local Government Act Reforms: December 2024 Media Coverage

Dec 21, 2024 | Cities, Cities and Regions, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Regions, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

Summary On the 16th of December 2024, Minister for Local Government Simeon Brown announced a...

Wellington Water CCO: November-December 2024 Media Coverage

Dec 21, 2024 | Contractors, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hutt City, News, Opinion, Porirua City, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Water Meters, Wellington City

Summary Wellington Water is a council controlled organisation (CCO) that is owned by six local...

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Technology in NZ Cities

Dec 9, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities, Contractors, Council Spending, Crime, Dunedin City, Electromagnetic Pollution, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Internet of Things, Invercargill City, Nelson City, New Zealand Issues, Official Information Act, Overview, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

What are ANPR cameras? Automatic number plate recognition (or ANPR) technology allows computers to...

As Paris Transforms into 15-minute City, Mayor Moves to Ban More Automobiles

Dec 9, 2024 | Article, C40 Cities, Cities, Climate Change and Weather, Global Agendas, Global Warming, International, Mode Shift, News, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is increasing restrictions on private vehicle travel in the...

Stuff Article: Couple wins battle to get ‘inundation hazard’ note off property title

Dec 8, 2024 | Climate Change and Weather, Flood Risk, Global Warming, Law and Legislation, Natural Hazards, New Zealand Issues, News, Property Rights, Tauranga City

Summary According to Stuff, a couple with a home in Mount Maunganui have succeeded in getting a...

OPINION: Speed bumps for Wairere Drive

Dec 8, 2024 | Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Opinion, Resource Management Act (RMA), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Despite Mayor Southgate’s promises of no more speed...

BOP Times Article: Welcome Bay residents call for removal of speed bump due to vibration impacts

Dec 8, 2024 | Contractors, Council Spending, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Property Rights, Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Summary According to the Bay of Plenty Times: Locals on Osprey Drive in Welcome Bay are...

The Cost of Te Huia Train

Nov 27, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, Opinion, Rail, Waikato Region

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) August 2024 – KiwiRail Monthly Operating Costs Running...

$1.4 Million Raised Crossing Project Increases Congestion on Thomas Road-Horsham Downs Road, Hamilton

Nov 27, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Previously the roundabout at the corner of Thomas Road and Horsham Downs Road allowed 2 lanes,...

Hukanui Road In-Lane Bus Stop and Unintended Consequences

Nov 5, 2024 | Article, Climate Change and Weather, Council Spending, Disruptions, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Opinion, Pollution, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Jo Reeder (CityWatch NZ Editor, Hamilton Resident, and Hamilton Ratepayer) I took a drive out...

Crown Observer to Monitor Wellington City Council

Nov 4, 2024 | Article, Asset Sales, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Three Waters, Wellington City

Summary On the 22 October 2024 Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced that he was...

Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing to be redesigned

Nov 2, 2024 | Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

On 23 October 2024 Hamilton City Council voted to redesign the planned crossing on Heaphy Terrace....

AA on Road Pricing: Member Views and the Association’s Position

Nov 2, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) describes itself as “New Zealand’s biggest...

BOP Times Article: Tauranga raised pedestrian crossing ripped out after vibration issues, returned to original design

Nov 2, 2024 | Council Spending, Hostile Architecture, New Zealand Issues, News, Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Summary A raised pedestrian crossing in the Matua suburb of Tauranga is being removed and replaced...

News coverage of the meetings to oppose the Tararua toll road

Oct 25, 2024 | Cities and Regions, Consultation, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, News, Palmerston North City, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Safety and Well-being, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge was closed in 2017 due to slips. Saddle road is...

OPEN LETTER: Getting Local Government ‘Back on Track’

Oct 25, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Crime, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Open Letters, Opinion, Property Rights, Rates Increases

By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) and sent to government ministers in October 2024 I recently read Hon...

OPINION: Building on Weak Foundations

Oct 25, 2024 | Auckland City, Hamilton City, High-density Housing, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Last week, Kainga Ora (Housing New Zealand) proudly...

Shaw’s Bird Park: A Part Day in Court

Oct 11, 2024 | Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

After being arrested and released by police on the 10th of September 2024, Murray Shaw showed up...

OPINION: Shaw’s Bird Park: Broken Promises and Debt-fuelled Destruction

Oct 3, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Crime, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) Back in...

Shaw’s Bird Park: Diggers, Barricades, and Trespass Notices

Oct 3, 2024 | Article, Contractors, Council Debt, Council Spending, Crime, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

Contractor’s machinery occupying parts of the Bird Park, Photographed in September 2024...

OPINION: Why Vote Against “Safety” and “Free Money”?

Oct 1, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Mode Shift, News, Open Letters, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Wellington City

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) The issue...

Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing delayed

Oct 1, 2024 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Voting Record

On Thursday (26 September 2024) Hamilton City Council voted to delay a decision on the plans for a...

US court ruling on fluoride in drinking water being a health hazard

Oct 1, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities, Cities and Regions, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hutt City, International, Invercargill City, Law and Legislation, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Water Fluoridation, Wellington City, World Health Organisation

A major US court ruling on water fluoridation has judged that fluoridation of drinking water at...

“Stop Water Fluoridation” petition (closes 19 Nov 2024)

Oct 1, 2024 | Auckland City, Cities, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hutt City, Invercargill City, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Petitions, Porirua City, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Water Fluoridation, Wellington City

This petition to parliament is due to close on 19 November 2024 (11:59 pm). Go to this link to...

Ombudsman surveying public on OIA/LGOIMA and council transparency (closes 29 November 2024)

Sep 30, 2024 | Auckland City, Consultation, Freedom of Expression, Greater Wellington Region, Hutt City, New Zealand Issues, News, Official Information Act, Porirua City, Taking Action, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

The Chief Ombudsman is undertaking self-initiated investigations into the official information...

NZTA consultation on three proposed toll roads (closes 7 Oct 2024)

Sep 30, 2024 | Article, Cities and Regions, Consultation, News, Palmerston North City, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading

All three consultations on these proposed toll roads close at 5:00pm on Monday 7 October 2024. If...

OPINION: Councils are Out of Control

Sep 26, 2024 | Auckland City, Code of Conduct complaints, Council Finances, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Open Letters, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Councils are out of control. Not just Hamilton City,...

OPINION: Hamilton City Council Borrowing to Increase

Sep 16, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGFA, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters

The government is allowing debt to rise to 500% of waters revenue for new “Local Water Done Well” Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs). There are also plans to increase the borrowing limit for high growth councils to 350% of council revenue.

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