Category: Regions

Backlash Grows Towards Wellington’s New “Tiaki Wai” Water Company: May 2026 Media Coverage

May 31, 2026 | Amalgamation, Contractors, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hutt City, Law and Legislation, LGFA, Local Government Reform, News, Opinion, Pollution, Porirua City, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Regions

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...

Regions

Backlash Grows Towards Wellington’s New “Tiaki Wai” Water Company: May 2026 Media Coverage

Wellington Water is in the process of being converted into a new water company CCO named “Tiaki...

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Consultation Closes 08 January 2026: “Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill”

Dec 4, 2025 | Auckland City, Buller District, Christchurch City, Cities, Cities and Regions, Consultation, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Data-driven, Dunedin City, Far North District, Global Agendas, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Hutt City, Incoming Legislation, Infrastructure, Internet of Things, 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, Porirua City, Rangitīkei District, Regions, Regulations, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading, Upper Hutt City, Voting Record, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Whanganui District

Summary The Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill passed its first reading on 18 November 2025,...

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...

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...

Whanganui Chronicle reports that Aramoho speed bumps were removed following community-led petition

May 31, 2025 | Emergency Services, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Petitions, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Whanganui District

Summary According to reports in the Whanganui Chronicle: There have been speed bumps outside the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

OPINION: Rage against the machine

Jul 3, 2024 | Code of Conduct complaints, Consultation, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Opinion, Protest, Waipa District

By Andrew Bydder A message I sent to Waipa council as a private citizen and resident of the...

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...

Kāpiti Coastal Advisory Panel and managed retreat: June 2024 updates

Jun 30, 2024 | Article, Cities and Regions, Climate Change and Weather, Consultation, Council Meetings, Flood Risk, Global Agendas, Global Warming, Greater Wellington Region, International Organisation, Kapiti Coast District, Managed Retreat, Natural Hazards, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Protest, Resource Management Act (RMA), Taking Action, United Nations

June 2024 has been a busy month for the issues of climate change adaptation and managed retreat....

What is RCP8.5?

Jun 30, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities and Regions, Climate Change and Weather, Flood Risk, Global Agendas, Global Warming, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, International Organisation, Kapiti Coast District, Law and Legislation, Managed Retreat, Natural Hazards, Overview, Resource Management Act (RMA), United Nations, Wellington City

Summary RCP8.5 (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5) is a climate change model scenario used...

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...

Consultation 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...

Rangitīkei District Council Southern Ward By-election 2024

Feb 29, 2024 | Rangitīkei District, Rangitīkei District 2024 By-election

[Update 16/05/2024: Paul Sharland won the councillor seat at the recent Southern Ward...

Opinion article in The Spinoff: Let’s Get Wellington Moving was a giant waste of time

Dec 25, 2023 | Core Services, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hostile Architecture, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Headline: Let’s Get Wellington Moving was a giant waste of time Authored by: Joel MacManus...

Newsroom article: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third

Dec 25, 2023 | Buller District, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Far North District, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, United Nations, World Health Organisation

Headline: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third Authored by: Jonathan Milne...

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...

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