Category: Council Spending

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

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 Spending

OPINION: 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...

Council Spending

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

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: 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Investigating 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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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: 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...

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: 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...

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...

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...

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: 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...

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...

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’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...

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

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

Articles 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)...

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

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) “Local Water Done Well” is the Coalition Government’s plan...

Wellington 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...

OPINION: 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...

OPINION: Te Huia History Part 1 (1968-2010)

Aug 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, Opinion, Overview, Public Transport, Rail, Transport and Roading, Waikato Region

Te Huia Auckland-Hamilton Passenger Rail Service and Its Predecessors: History Part 1 (1968-2010)...

Opposition mobilises against the five raised crossings on Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Jul 29, 2024 | Article, Council Spending, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Greater Wellington Region, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Petitions, Public Transport, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary Further opposition mobilises against Wellington City Council’s plan to install five raised...

Who is Taituarā (SOLGM)?

Jul 26, 2024 | Article, Cities, Cities and Regions, Contractors, Council Spending, Global Agendas, Local Government Reform, Managed Retreat, New Zealand Issues, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Regions

Summary Taituarā was called the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM)...

Hamilton City Council Parks and Open Spaces survey closes 29 July 2024

Jul 25, 2024 | Consultation, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Parks and Reserves, Taking Action, Transport and Roading

An opportunity to educate the Hamilton City Council on how the City’s parks and public...

OPINION: 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...

Democracy 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...

Democracy Project Article: When unelected officials dominate the local democratic process

Jul 25, 2024 | Article, Asset Sales, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Code of Conduct complaints, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Global Agendas, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Wellington City

Summary Bryce Edwards (Political Analyst and Director of the Democracy Project) provides a...

The Spinoff and The Post cover a planned $55 million project to install five raised crossings in Wellington

Jul 25, 2024 | Council Spending, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Greater Wellington Region, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary Wellington City Council is planning to install five raised pedestrian crossing along...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Jos Nagels

Jul 11, 2024 | Core Services, Council Finances, Council Spending, High-density Housing, Opinion, Public Transport, Rail, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading

Jos Nagels’ Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga election...

OPINION: A bridge too far

Jul 3, 2024 | Code of Conduct complaints, Consultation, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Protest, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Waipa District

By Andrew Bydder The sleepy leafy suburbs of quaint conservative Cambridge were torn apart by...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Anthony Goddard

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Spending, High-density Housing, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Public Transport, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

Anthony Goddard’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Abraham (Bram) van Berkel

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, High-density Housing, Managed Retreat, Natural Hazards, Opinion, Rates Increases, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading

Abraham (Bram) van Berkel’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024...

CANDIDATE 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...

CANDIDATE 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...

OPINION: Te Huia or Te Toroa? The Costly Rail Service.

Jun 25, 2024 | Auckland City, Christchurch City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Invercargill City, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Transport and Roading, Waikato Region

By Geoff Lewis (Hamilton Journalist) I’ve always thought the Hamilton to Auckland commuter...

OPINION: 100% Rates Rise

Jun 21, 2024 | Consultation, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, News, Opinion, Rates Increases

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Hamilton City Council’s Long-term Plan – what you need...

OPINION: The Orange Cone Infestation

Jun 21, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, News, Official Information Act, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Transport and Roading

By Margaret Evans (former Mayor and Hamilton Ratepayer) I’ve suggested to Hamilton City...

Hamilton 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...

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

Selected speakers from the 2nd day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...

What Has Been Happening with Number Plate Recognition Cameras in Manchester, UK?

Jun 1, 2024 | Article, Cities and Regions, Climate Change and Weather, Council Debt, Council Spending, Crime, Global Agendas, International, Mode Shift, News, Overview, Petitions, Protest, Public Transport, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Surveillance, Taking Action, Transport and Roading

Summary and Key Points In 2008 the Greater Manchester local authorities proposed a congestion...

Hamilton 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...

Colin 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...

Protest outside Hamilton City Council on the 17th of May

May 11, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Petitions, Protest, Rates Increases, Taking Action

A protest is being planned for the last day of the “verbal submissions“ phase of Hamilton City...

A misleading headline and Hamilton City Council’s sensitivity to the word “fudging”

May 11, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Rates Increases

With Hamilton City Council’s reported financial situation rapidly getting worse, the 7th of May...

OPINION: Hamilton Mayor’s ANZAC visit to Belgium

Apr 25, 2024 | Article, Council Spending, Hamilton City, International, News, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) Menin Gate, Ieper, Belgium. Photo credit Johan Bakker...

OPINION: 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:...

OPINION: What to keep and what to cut in Hamilton’s Long-Term Plan?

Apr 20, 2024 | Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Crime, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Mode Shift, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By John McDonald, 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate One of the main narratives being...

OPINION: Analysis of Hamilton City Council’s financial position

Apr 19, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Official Information Act, Opinion, Rates Increases, Taking Action

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) In preparation of the 2024-34 Long Term Plan the Mayor...

Waikato Times article: Firefighters spark up at loathed traffic calming measures

Apr 16, 2024 | Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Protest, Public Transport, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

Headline: Firefighters spark up at loathed traffic calming measures Authored by: Stacey Rangitonga...

Long-Term Plan consultation guide

Apr 15, 2024 | Article, Cities, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Spending, Guides, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Overview, Resources, Taking Action, Wellington City

In New Zealand, city councils usually produce a Long-Term Plan every three years. The council’s...

Petition to stop rates increases and growing debt at Hamilton City Council

Apr 10, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Petitions, Protest, Rates Increases, Taking Action

This petition is running on change.org and is titled “STOP HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL RATE...

OPINION: 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...

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...

CANDIDATE OPINION: John McDonald

Feb 9, 2024 | Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Hostile Architecture, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Public Transport, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

John McDonald’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited...

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