SECTIONS

local democracy reporting

West CoastAugust 20

Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer

An investment case to find a long-term solution to the Epitaph Slip on SH6 in South Westland has now been completed but work on a permanent realignment could be years away.
Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy Reporter
Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer
Solution for slip-prone section of West Coast highway edges closer
North CanterburyAugust 20

Mayor unconvinced by Ngāi Tahu's council boundary plan

A Canterbury mayor is looking forward to partnering with Ngāi Tahu on local government reform, but is not so keen on the iwi’s proposed structure.
David Hill
Mayor unconvinced by Ngāi Tahu's council boundary plan
Mayor unconvinced by Ngāi Tahu's council boundary plan
North CanterburyAugust 18

Minister rules out Canterbury councils’ bid to pause fast-track housing decisions

Two Canterbury mayors seeking a pause on the fast-tracking of housing developments could be out of luck.
David Hill
Minister rules out Canterbury councils’ bid to pause fast-track housing decisions
Minister rules out Canterbury councils’ bid to pause fast-track housing decisions
South CanterburyAugust 17

Residents ‘to push back’ on solar projects

Members of the Mackenzie community have gathered to learn about proposed fast-tracked solar projects that will be decided by Wellington.
Claire Taylor, local democracy reporter
Residents ‘to push back’ on solar projects
Residents ‘to push back’ on solar projects
CanterburyAugust 14

Investment in South Island roads ‘a bit of highway robbery’

Environment Canterbury’s chairperson and other local government leaders presented a report to Parliament on Thursday about the South Island’s transport funding and economic contribution.
David Hill
Investment in South Island roads ‘a bit of highway robbery’
Investment in South Island roads ‘a bit of highway robbery’
West CoastAugust 13

WCRC picks electoral system despite impending abolition

All councils are required to pass a formal resolution on the voting system before September 12.
Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy reporter
WCRC picks electoral system despite impending abolition
WCRC picks electoral system despite impending abolition
North CanterburyAugust 12

Wheels rolling on privately funded Canterbury bus service plan

Pegasus Bay Coachlines is negotiating with ECan to run a privately funded bus service between Amberley and Christchurch.
David Hill
Wheels rolling on privately funded Canterbury bus service plan
Wheels rolling on privately funded Canterbury bus service plan
North CanterburyAugust 6

Canterbury’s efforts to address climate change being undermined, ECan chair says

‘‘Insufficient’’ national action to reduce emissions is undermining Canterbury’s efforts to address climate change, ECan says.
David Hill
Canterbury’s efforts to address climate change being undermined, ECan chair says
Canterbury’s efforts to address climate change being undermined, ECan chair says
North CanterburyAugust 5

North Canterbury council leaves the door open to amalgamation

A North Canterbury council has left the door open to working with its neighbours in the future.
David Hill
North Canterbury council leaves the door open to amalgamation
North Canterbury council leaves the door open to amalgamation
NationalAugust 1

The push to create super councils

Councils are facing the biggest shakeup in local government in three decades - but not all are on board.
Marika Hill and Local Democracy reporters
The push to create super councils
The push to create super councils
South CanterburyJuly 31

Aoraki Mt Cook turn-off changes to fix ‘danger spot’

A primary school teacher who led a campaign to get safety improvements at the turn off to Aoraki Mount Cook is “delighted” authorities are finally taking action.
Claire Taylor
Aoraki Mt Cook turn-off changes to fix ‘danger spot’
Aoraki Mt Cook turn-off changes to fix ‘danger spot’
North CanterburyJuly 29

Reform creates anxiety for Hurunui councillors

Local government reform is creating some anxiety as the Hurunui District Council looks to complete the establishment of its new water services entity.
David Hill
Reform creates anxiety for Hurunui councillors
Reform creates anxiety for Hurunui councillors
CanterburyJuly 28

Multi-million dollar flood repair bill for ECan

ECan is facing a large repair bill in the tens of millions of dollars after a recent flood event damaged river infrastructure.
David Hill
Multi-million dollar flood repair bill for ECan
Multi-million dollar flood repair bill for ECan
West CoastJuly 16

Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel

Rare Westland petrels nesting in the Punakaiki area may be at risk of bird flu, with the entire West Coast exposed to infected migratory seabirds from Australia.
Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel
Bird flu concern for rare, vulnerable petrel
SouthlandJuly 16

Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units

Tenants at a council-owned housing complex in Invercargill have spoken positively about their new homes in the face of criticism they cost too much to build.
Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units
Residents back ‘exorbitant’ council units
CanterburyJuly 14

Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo

Mackenzie's mayor is standing by a social media post urging visitors to reconsider visiting Tekapo over the long and snowy Matariki weekend.
Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo
Mayor defends telling visitors to steer clear of Tekapo
NationalJuly 14

Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo

Mackenzie's mayor is standing by a social media post urging visitors to reconsider visiting Tekapo over the long and snowy Matariki weekend.
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
Mayor defends post urging visitors to stay away from Tekapo
North CanterburyJuly 7

Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura

Heavy rainfall has led to washed-out bridges, evacuations and power cuts around Kaikōura, where a state of emergency is in place as heavy rain continues to lash the area.
Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura
Wild weather woes continue for Kaikōura
SouthlandJuly 2

Rate rises less than expected

Southland councils have approved average rates increases which are less than initially projected.
SouthlandJuly 1

Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’

A new $2.8 million council-owned housing complex for elderly persons has been criticised by some Invercargill representatives for costing too much.
Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’
Cost of new council units ‘exorbitant’
CanterburyJune 30

Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'

The choice between a North Canterbury or a rural Canterbury unitary council has left the Hurunui District Council undecided.
Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'
Hurunui councillors look to protect 'rural voice'
NationalJune 30

ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed

An ACT candidate has withdrawn from a new Wellington electorate race at November’s election, after failing to declare her previous membership of a Chinese political group linked to the country’s ruling communist party.
ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed
ACT candidate resigns after links to Chinese political group revealed
SouthlandJune 25

Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip

The final cost of sending Southland’s mayor to the other side of the world has increased, as emails show some councillors were concerned about how the trip could be perceived.
Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip
Cost jumps for Southland mayor’s trip
SouthlandJune 25

Embattled lagoon helped by planting

The arrival of thousands of native plants near a Southland lagoon has been heralded as a success, despite some falling victim to pests.
Embattled lagoon helped by planting
Embattled lagoon helped by planting
SouthlandJune 17

Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council

Verbal abuse, a windscreen shattered by a mystery object, and the discovery of a firearm while sampling river water are some of the ordeals Southland council employees have faced.
Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council
Firearms and smashed glass: what staff faced at southern council