Latest from Local Government

Auckland Council's IT project reassessed

An Auckland Council IT project originally budgeted to cost $71 million should be delivered for the new cost of $172 million, says a senior council executive.

Catherine Delahunty: Maori representation no threat to open democracy

Catherine Delahunty writes: Gareth Morgan has many interesting opinions and is well informed but his opinion piece on Maori representation on local councils requires a response.

Council's plan for meth houses

Auckland Council has undertaken a review of guidelines for methamphetamine-contaminated properties and developed tough new proposals to be implemented next month.

Big projects on back burner

Key Auckland transport projects - including some on which work has already started - face long delays unless new funding can be found from road tolls or higher rates.

Bryce Edwards: New Zealand's war on the poor

Dividing up the resources of any society normally involves exploiting the majority for the benefit of the minority, and NZ is no exception, writes Bryce Edwards.

Brian Rudman: Leave the car and listen to the tui

If I were a bit doddery on my feet, or wheelchair-bound, I suspect I'd be delighted to be able to totter around the summit of Maungawhau/Mt Eden at my own pace.

Bid to change law on prostitution fails

Auckland Council has been told it already has power to ban street prostitution from spots such as Hunters Corner after a bid to get Parliament to change the law failed.

Spending shows need for recall elections

A lobby group says revelations Auckland Council spent $30,000 on “secret rooms” for Len Brown show New Zealand needs recall elections.

What secrets are in Brown's new office?

Thousands of dollars have been spent building a private bathroom and dressing room hidden behind a bookcase in under-fire Auckland Mayor Len Brown's new office.

Council errs on activist's rates bill

Auckland Council bungled the amount of money owed by veteran activist Penny Bright, who is facing court action and the seizure of her home over years of unpaid rates.

Council underwrites housing bond issue

The Auckland Council has agreed to underwrite "housing bonds" worth $30 million to kick-start more than 200 new homes for low-income families.

30pc of new valuations 'wildly wrong'

Valuations on about 30 per cent of Auckland properties - around 135,000 homes - are "wildly wrong", a valuation business claims.

Who wants to be mayor?

Who's in line to challenge Len Brown to become Auckland's next mayor? The Herald has analysed the early possibilities.

Mt Eden summit car ban: Readers react

The Herald has had an overwhelming response from readers since revealing the plan to ban all vehicles from Mt Eden's summit.

Vehicle ban on city's volcano summits

The days of driving to the summit of Auckland's volcanic cones are coming to an end, starting with a ban on all vehicles up Mt Eden.

David Seymour: Auckland Council needs to stop and take a breath

A few weeks ago Auckland Council voted by a narrow majority to impose grotesquely large rate increases on thousands of Auckland's ratepayers.

Bryce Edwards: The downfall of John Key

Bryce Edwards asks: Why does John Key continue to stay close to Cameron Slater, and will this decision ultimately lead to Key’s downfall?

Auckland's $90m annual rail link bill

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is locking future ratepayers into paying at least $90 million a year for operational costs once trains begin using the City Rail Link some time from 2021.