Category: Council Funding
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
OPINION: LGNZ is Confusing Myth and Truth (Part 2)
Sep 3, 2025 | Auckland City, Climate Change and Weather, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Global Agendas, Global Warming, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Incoming Legislation, International, International Organisation, Internet of Things, Kaipara District, Law and Legislation, LGNZ, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Parliament, Professional Managerial Class, Property Rights, Protest, Rates Increases, Regulations, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, UN 2030 Agenda, United Nations, Water Meters, WEF, Wellington City
Newsroom covers the Building Nations conference and “the great privatisation”
Sep 1, 2025 | Article, Asset Sales, Cities, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Developer Contributions, Global Agendas, International, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Regulations, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Three Waters, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading, WEF
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
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
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
Council Funding
PopularShaw’s Bird Park, the road, and the Council: A bureaucratic nightmare in Hamilton
Dec 17, 2023 | Article, Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Petitions, Protest
The Americans say “You can’t fight City Hall”. When you take on your council, Big Bureaucracy...
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OPINION: The Slippery Slope is a Strategy, not a Fallacy
Sep 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Internet of Things, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City
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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
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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
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Council Funding
LatestOPINION: 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
By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and Hamilton East Ward/Mayoral Candidate) Were over...
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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
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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
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CANDIDATE OPINION: John McDonald
Oct 2, 2025 | Asset Sales, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Global Agendas, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Infrastructure, LGFA, LGNZ, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Rates Increases, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, WEF
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CANDIDATE OPINION: Rudi du Plooy
Oct 2, 2025 | Climate Change and Weather, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Global Warming, Hamilton 2025, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Homelessness, Housing supply, Infrastructure, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Water Meters
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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
Additional Posts
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...
Read MoreCANDIDATE 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...
Read MoreCANDIDATE 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...
Read MoreCANDIDATE 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...
Read MoreCANDIDATE 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...
Read MoreCANDIDATE 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...
Read MoreConsultation 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreInvestigating New Zealand’s Local Government Act 2002 – A Layperson’s Guide
Jun 30, 2025 | Article, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Guides, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Overview, Resources
CityWatch NZ contributor and adult educator Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) is making available his...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreHamilton 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...
Read MoreHamilton 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...
Read MoreKPMG 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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....
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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
By Jean Dorrell (Hamilton ratepayer and retired accountant) Hamilton City Council appear to have...
Read MoreChristchurch’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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreConsultation 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...
Read MoreConsultations 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreLocal 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...
Read MoreWellington 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...
Read More$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,...
Read MoreCrown 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...
Read MoreHamilton’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....
Read MoreAA 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...
Read MoreOPEN 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: 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...
Read MoreOPINION: Hamilton City Council’s Credit Downgrade Not a Surprise
Sep 15, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, News, Opinion, Three Waters
By Rob Pascoe (Chartered Accountant, Former Hamilton City Councillor, and Hamilton Ratepayer) Some...
Read MoreArticles covering PM Luxon’s speech to LGNZ (August 2024)
Sep 2, 2024 | Article, Cities, Code of Conduct complaints, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Rates Increases, Regions, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Wellington City
Summary Prime Minister Christopher Luxon gave a speech at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)...
Read MoreOPINION “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
By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) “Local Water Done Well” is the Coalition Government’s plan...
Read MoreWellington City Council looks to reduce numbers of raised crossings in Thorndon Quay plan
Aug 31, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Petitions, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record, Wellington City
Opposition to Wellington City Council’s plan to install five raised pedestrian crossing along...
Read MoreOPINION: Luxon Nails Councils
Aug 27, 2024 | Auckland City, Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Wellington City
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Prime Minister Chris Luxon fronted the Local Government...
Read MoreOPINION: The Fight Against Speed Bumps Rolls On
Aug 18, 2024 | Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Hamilton City Council’s Infrastructure committee...
Read MoreRNZ articles on congestion charging and time-of-use charging (July-August 2024)
Aug 18, 2024 | Auckland City, Consultation, Council Funding, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City
Summary Radio New Zealand (RNZ) covers the push to legalise congestion charges and time-of-use...
Read MoreNew Zealand Initiative Report: Driving Change – How road pricing can improve our roads
Aug 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities, Council Funding, Electromagnetic Pollution, Hamilton City, Internet of Things, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City
Summary The New Zealand Initiative self-identifies as a “Wellington-based think tank supported...
Read MoreOPINION: The Numbers Game
Jul 25, 2024 | Cities, Contractors, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Global Agendas, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, WEF
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Council Maths is… different. Figures for Hamilton City...
Read MoreDemocracy Project Article: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
Jul 25, 2024 | Asset Sales, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Water Meters, Wellington City
[Originally published 29 April 2024 on the Democracy Project] By Dr Bryce Edwards (Political...
Read MoreCANDIDATE OPINION: Rod Taylor
Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Disruptions, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024
Rod Taylor’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...
Read MoreCANDIDATE OPINION: Tim Maltby
Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading
Tim Maltby’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...
Read MoreOPINION: Understanding Development Contributions
Jun 25, 2024 | Council Funding, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Opinion
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor To understand Hamilton’s DC policy, we will use a real...
Read MoreHamilton City Council Long-Term Plan Hearings: Day 3 Highlights
Jun 10, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
Selected speakers from the 3rd day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...
Read MoreHamilton 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
Selected speakers from the 2nd day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...
Read MoreProtest outside Hamilton City Council on the 27th of June
May 31, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Protest, Taking Action
A protest is being planned before Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan is finalised in...
Read MoreHamilton City Council Long-Term Plan Hearings: Day 1 Highlights
May 30, 2024 | Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Rates Increases, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, UN 2030 Agenda
Selected speakers from the 1st day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...
Read MoreColin Jones on Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan
May 15, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Official Information Act, Open Letters, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Taking Action
On 15 May 2024, Colin Jones presented to Hamilton City Council about the Long-Term Plan. Video of...
Read MoreOPINION: Margaret Evans’ submission on the Hamilton City Long-Term Plan
Apr 21, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, News, Open Letters, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Taking Action
By Margaret Evans (former Mayor and Hamilton Ratepayer) To the Mayor and Councillors:...
Read MoreOPINION: Why is Hamilton City Council unable to prepare and promise a financial budget that works?
Apr 13, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases, Taking Action
By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) Last year’s reported “balancing the books” deficit of...
Read MoreOPINION: Speed bumps are a public emergency
Mar 31, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, News, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor When Hamilton City Council began its Waka...
Read MoreConsultation for the Hamilton City Council Long-term Plan 2024-2034
Mar 29, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, News, Rates Increases, Resources, Taking Action
[UPDATE (03 August 2024): Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan was approved by Council vote on...
Read MoreOPINION: Rethinking water meters in Hamilton. A closer look at costs, equity and efficacy
Mar 27, 2024 | Cities, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Three Waters, Wellington City
By Leo Liu, 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate In the heart of discussions surrounding...
Read MoreConsultation finishes on 2 April 2024 for the draft GPS on land transport
Mar 7, 2024 | Cities, Cities and Regions, Consultation, Core Services, Council Funding, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Public Transport, Regions, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
Send your feedback to the Ministry of Transport before noon on the 2nd of April 2024 regarding the...
Read MoreOPINION: Hamilton City Council’s First Rating Downgrade in a Decade
Mar 7, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Opinion, Rates Increases
By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) Councils in NZ use International Rating Agencies to...
Read MoreOPINION: Water Meters in Hamilton City
Feb 29, 2024 | Auckland City, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, International, Opinion, Three Waters, Wellington City
By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) There has been considerable hype for years around...
Read MoreNotice of Revocation on Hamilton transport projects
Feb 27, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
UPDATE: 11 March 2024: The Youtube video of this council meeting is available with public forum...
Read MoreCANDIDATE OPINION: Roger Stratford
Feb 11, 2024 | Council Finances, Council Funding, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
Roger Stratford’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were...
Read MoreCANDIDATE OPINION: Joan Shi
Feb 3, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Crime, Elections, Libraries and Museums, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Public Transport, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Wellington City, Wellington Pukehῑnau/Lambton Ward 2024 By-election
Joan Shi’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited to...
Read MoreCANDIDATE OPINION: Tim Macindoe
Feb 3, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
Tim Macindoe’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited...
Read MoreWhat is Tauranga’s “SmartTrip” VRP concept?
Dec 11, 2023 | Article, Council Funding, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
Variable Road Pricing (VRP) is a form of Urban Road Pricing, that Tauranga City Council is...
Read MoreOPINION: Council faces 54% rates rise over three years
Dec 11, 2023 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases
By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor While this article uses Hamilton as the example,...
Read MoreThree RCR interviews with New Plymouth District Councillor Murray Chong
Dec 11, 2023 | Climate Change and Weather, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Interview, New Plymouth District, News, Petitions
RCR’s Paul Brennan conducts a series of interviews Murray Chong, a Councillor for New Plymouth...
Read MoreRNZ Article: Waka Kotahi puts funding for cycling, walking and public transport initiatives on hold
Dec 11, 2023 | Cities and Regions, Climate Change and Weather, Council Funding, Council Spending, Mode Shift, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Public Transport, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero
Authored by: Robin Martin Published on: 4 November 2023 Published by: RNZ Headline: Waka...
Read MoreStuff Article: Why are councils considering rates hikes of 25.5% and higher?
Dec 11, 2023 | Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Wellington City
Authored by: Erin Johnson Published on: 11 December 2023 Published by: Stuff Limited Headline: Why...
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