West Coast conservation plan paused
Work on the West Coast's long-awaited new conservation management strategy is officially on hold - pending new laws controlling what can and can't be done on public conservation land.
Local Democracy Reporting
Mayor returns home to fire-ravaged district
Mayor returns home to fire-ravaged district
Kaikōura’s mayor had a sleepless night in Wellington as he tried to get home after fires broke out across his district.
Noise warning as piling work starts
'It will be loud': Noise warning as piling work for new bridge starts
The piling work to test how the ground around Ashburton’s second bridge will handle the massive foundations "will be loud at times", NZTA warns.
Deputy mayor role handed to Dermody
Deputy mayor role handed to Dermody
Invercargill mayor-elect Tom Campbell has announced his key leadership positions for the upcoming term.
$200m SH1 upgrade starts in Rolleston
$200m SH1 upgrade starts in Rolleston
The transport minister and Selwyn's new mayor got the shovels out last week to break ground on the $200 million State Highway 1 upgrades in Rolleston.
Final results show 21-vote margin for last council spot
Final results show 21-vote margin for last council spot
The nervous wait is over for eight Invercargill council candidates vying for the last available seats at the table.
Concerns over fall in property values
Concerns over fall in property values
Waimakariri homeowners concerned about their recent property valuations should get them reviewed, says district council chief executive Jeff Millward.
Benefit changes could impact youth job programmes
Benefit changes could impact youth job programmes
Two Canterbury mayors worry changes to youth benefit rules will impact their rural employment schemes.
ECan councillor dismisses nitrate emergency
ECan councillor dismisses nitrate emergency
Environment Canterbury voters have re-elected incumbents Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell to the regional council amid division over the region's nitrate emergency.
Polarised responses to lagoon opening
Polarised responses to lagoon opening
A new consent for the periodic opening of an algae-plagued Southland lagoon has triggered polarising responses, and a possible appeal.
What's planned for NZ's fastest growing district?
Selwyn's big shake-up: What's planned for NZ's fastest growing district?
New Selwyn Mayor Lydia Gliddon is promising the next rates rise will be a single digit.
Razor-thin races: What happens in a tie?
Razor-thin races: What happens in a tie?
Council hopefuls are enduring a nervous wait in some centres as several races remain too close to call under provisional results.
New mayor settles into the big chair
'Quite nice sitting in here': Ashburton's new mayor settles into the big chair
Liz McMillan was grinning from ear to ear as she settled into the Ashburton mayoral office chair and looked out the window across Baring Square.
New ECan councillor hopes to bring people together
New ECan councillor hopes to bring people together
John Faulkner admits to being both ‘‘excited and apprehensive’’ as he contemplates being a new Canterbury regional councillor. With special votes still be counted, the Culverden farmer has 9764...
8 in running for 4 spots on council
8 in running for 4 spots on council
The race for the last available seats on the Invercargill City Council is shaping up to be a photo finish.
Final days of controversial term approach
Final days of controversial term approach
Nobby Clark’s eventful stint as mayor of Invercargill will draw to a close in the coming days.
Rob Scott relieved to be back as mayor
Rob Scott relieved to be back as mayor
Southland District Mayor Rob Scott says a weight has been lifted off after securing a second term in the top job.
Tom Campbell close to taking out top spot
Tom Campbell close to taking out top spot
Invercargill's likely new mayor Tom Campbell says he is "absolutely delighted" by the result.
Grant could become oldest mayor in tight race
Grant could become oldest mayor in tight race
It's a tight race for the Westland mayoralty, with Hokitika businesswoman Jacquie Grant leading the race against incumbent Helen Lash by just 64 votes.
Ken Laban first Pasifika mayor
Ken Laban first Pasifika mayor
Fauono Ken Laban has been elected Mayor of Lower Hutt, making history as Aotearoa New Zealand's first Pasifika mayor.