Mounting costs have forced the ORC to propose steep rates rises, and one senior councillor has warned local decision-making could be in jeopardy if central government is allowed to get away with being bossy.
One of the largest rates rises ever proposed by a New Zealand council - in percentage terms - is a step closer to being imposed on Otago regional ratepayers.
Government moves to restrain property investment may alleviate the housing affordability crisis, but any fix for Dunedin’s severe shortage of homes could be years away.
Investigations have started into why a commercial jet-boat crashed near Queenstown, resulting in the driver and four passengers being taken to hospital.
Representatives of Otago and Southland councils have met in Wanaka to discuss how the Government plans to bring water, wastewater and stormwater systems up to scratch.
The fast-tracked replacement of water pipes at Waikouaiti — one response to lead contamination of the town’s drinking water — may not involve digging up the old pipes.