New ZealandEvery vote counts: Kaipara council recount bids settled at lastThree Kaipara candidates sought judicial recounts, the most of any NZ council.06 Nov 03:51 AM
New Zealand'Sad for democracy’: Board seeks fresh faces after six years without a voteNominations open soon, with hopes there will be enough candidates for a contest this time.05 Nov 11:18 PM
New Zealand‘Humbled to gain the top job’: Māori leader Pita Tipene takes helm of Northland councilNRC becomes the first regional council to have had two chairs from Māori wards.05 Nov 06:30 AM
KahuHow a teen's passion for Māori wards led to shock win for mumDr Mawera Karetai won the Kōhi Māori seat without spending a dollar.05 Nov 04:00 AM
New ZealandCouncil admits blunder over citizens’ assembly secrecyMembers were not told they would be thrust into the public spotlight.04 Nov 10:45 PM
New ZealandSocial media to standing orders: Councillors take crash courseElected members from across the region gathered in Rotorua to sharpen their skills.04 Nov 03:00 AM
New ZealandGolf course burn-off sparks complaints, rules reminderThe planned Rotorua fire prompted complaints of bad smells and irritated eyes.04 Nov 01:30 AM
New ZealandOutspoken Rotorua ratepayer group disbands after a decadeChairman Reynold Macpherson is winding up the organisation next month.02 Nov 11:08 PM
New Zealand'Rewarding': School principal retires after 38-year career'As I step away, I know the school is in good hands.'31 Oct 03:39 AM
New ZealandMcDonald makes history as first Māori woman to lead Toi Moana councilMatemoana McDonald made history as the first woman to chair Toi Moana.31 Oct 12:32 AM
New ZealandGisborne appoints first Māori woman deputy mayor with moko kauaeAubrey Ria is the first Māori woman and moko kauae wearer to hold the role.30 Oct 02:55 AM
New ZealandChanging of the guard: 22 locals vying to manage $170m community fundVoting open to elect six new Rotorua Trust trustees, as long-time chairman steps down.29 Oct 08:26 PM
New Zealand'Slip up' costs council: $1.49m fix needed for leaking Tauranga landfill siteThe old Cambridge Rd landfill closed in 1998 after more than 30 years of use.29 Oct 07:00 PM
PremiumPremiumOpinionNick Clark: The problems with our electoral system and what's needed to fix themOPINION: One proposal would expand Parliament to 170 MPs to improve representation.29 Oct 06:00 PM
New Zealand‘Really stoked’: Grassroots push powers Māori roll voter surge in GisborneTurnout on the Māori roll surged 40.5%, from 3657 voters in 2022 to 5139 this year.29 Oct 03:34 AM
New ZealandSealed with a fist bump: Mayor promises 'high-performing' council at swearing-inRotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, councillors and community boards begin the new triennium.29 Oct 03:00 AM
New ZealandPossums as pets? Former Wellington mayor warns of risksLocal groups fear pet possums could undo conservation gains across Wairarapa. 27 Oct 09:30 PM
New Zealand'Harsh critic of myself': How Drysdale rates his leadership as mayorTauranga's mayor and councillors assess their performances, one year in.27 Oct 07:43 PM
New ZealandEarthquake law shake-up: Mayor hopes historic building can reopenThe Spanish mission-style bathhouse has not been used since 2021.26 Oct 05:00 PM
PremiumPremiumPoliticsGrey wave: Local elections deliver NZ's oldest mayoral line-up in recent historyThe average age of big-city mayors has climbed to nearly 68.24 Oct 11:00 PM
New ZealandKaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen survives recount challenge from councillor Snow Tane Judge Kevin Kelly rejected a recount bid over the mayoral election's 21-vote gap.24 Oct 06:31 AM
PremiumPremiumWellingtonAmalgamation bells ringing – will Wellington councils finally tie the knot?Local Government Minister Simon Watts says he would 'welcome' reorganisation.23 Oct 04:00 PM
New ZealandVoter turnout up despite council's $70k cut to election spendingVoting bins at supermarkets saw strong support and boosted last-day returns.22 Oct 03:29 AM
New ZealandVoter turnout falls short of 'ambitious' goal - but there are bright spotsRotorua’s overall voter turnout slipped, but Māori ward participation increased.22 Oct 03:01 AM
PremiumPremiumAucklandWinning candidates deny allegations of electoral fraud in South Auckland local body electionThe complaint alleges theft of ballot papers and standover tactics used against voters.21 Oct 04:00 PM
New ZealandFrom skate protests to council chambers: Andy Cranston reflects on 21-year council journeyMayor Rehette Stoltz praised Cranston’s calm, well-reasoned work for residents.21 Oct 04:00 PM
New ZealandBack for round two: Tapsell’s plan for Rotorua’s next 100 daysTania Tapsell received a landslide margin of votes to be re-elected as Rotorua Mayor.20 Oct 05:01 PM
New Zealand'Done my dash': Councillor ends 15-year run after losing seatAndrew von Dadelszen lost his seat to Kat Macmillan by 248 votes.20 Oct 06:22 AM
New ZealandClose call: Snow Tane seeks recount after 21-vote Kaipara mayoral lossThe contender would be filing today at Whangārei District Court for a judicial recount.20 Oct 05:02 AM
New ZealandGisborne voter turnout hits 48% – above national averageThe region's turnout was higher than New Zealand's average of 39.4%.20 Oct 04:00 AM
New ZealandDeputy mayors chosen, last Hawke's Bay councillor wins by 8 votesElected mayors have chosen their deputies to serve alongside them.19 Oct 10:17 PM
PremiumPremiumOpinionAaron Bhatnagar: Why Auckland's democracy is broken ... and how to start fixing itOPINION: Auckland's council elections drew just 28.8% of eligible voters to the polls.19 Oct 05:00 PM
New Zealand'Pattern of behaviour': $38k plan to combat burnouts, drug use on waterfrontBoulders and new parking layouts aim to curb the bad behaviour.17 Oct 05:00 PM
New Zealand‘The work now begins’: Couper takes Whangārei’s top job after election winVince Cocurullo exits after 12 years on council and one term as mayor.17 Oct 07:34 AM