Latest from Local Government

Palino wants second CBD for Auckland

Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino is promising to build a smart, green new city - possibly at Manukau.

Youngsters give mayor their fix it list

Bumpy footpaths, traffic jams and shabby buses were some of the issues raised by school pupils with Auckland Mayor Len Brown yesterday.

Margot McRae: St James is our Albert Hall - all it needs is a WOF

The key to saving the St James Theatre is not to aim for a grand restoration but simply to make it safe and open its doors, writes Margot McRae.

Former Navy land set for development

Ngati Whatua might develop up to 100 residences on its 4.2ha Wakakura block near Devonport.

Brian Rudman: Founder's great gift may need rethink

"Each time there are flurries of outrage from groups of tenants facing a 21- year land rent review, my first thought is, what did they expect?" writes Brian Rudman.

'Bullying rife' at Hamilton council

Bullying at a Waikato council is rife and an inquiry is needed to address the systemic and "toxic" problem which has resulted in 120 suspected cases, claims one councillor.

Method man on the trail

Reverend Uesifili Unasa wants to keep his mayoral election campaign cleaner than the spotless white robes he wears to deliver his Sunday sermons.

SkyCity's profit fall upsets market

SkyCity Entertainment Group's slight drop in bottom-line profit left the investment community cold, as the business faces a huge transformation and capital expenditure.

22 on Craig's local poll list

The Conservative Party is entering the local body elections with a team of 22 candidates standing in Auckland

Late change on signs irks candidates

West Auckland local board candidates are fuming over the late bid by Auckland Transport to change the bylaw concerning roadside election advertising signs.

A container-load of trouble?

Plans to intensify transport corridors and develop the harbour edge are on a collision course with expansion and container growth at the Ports of Auckland.

Northland councils eager for more study of options

Auckland Council's partners in a study on upper North Island ports are up for more work to get the best out of the ports of Auckland, Tauranga and Northland.

Port push into harbour set to be part of Auckland plan

The latest plans to industrialise and expand more of the Waitemata Harbour for port business are on the verge of becoming a reality.

Heritage hero Coney exiting council to focus on West

One of the few Auckland councillors to make a real difference in the first term of the Super City, Sandra Coney, is stepping down at October's local body elections to focus on issues closer to home by standing for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

Ananish Chaudhuri: Ban those beggars - starve some sense into them

I am tired of this liberal welfare-state namby-pamby that we have an obligation to help out the less fortunate, writes Ananish Chaudhuri.

Housing intervention opposed

A law change to allow the Government to override councils in order to free up land for housing developments was opposed by a slim majority of New Zealanders surveyed.