Latest from Local Government

Capital 'needs vision'

Wellington gives a "very confused picture of itself" to the rest of the country.

Christchurch council to get $18.7m insurance payout

CEOs cautiously back Brown bid

Is the maor on the path to the 'world's most liveable city' or has he squandered his opportunities?

Councils' spending overshoots by $700m

Councils spent $700 million more than they earned in the past financial year, leading to the worst operating deficit on record.

Quakes a timely reminder for building owners

Wellington's earthquakes have put the spotlight back on seismic issues.

Fletcher asks council for right to build higher

Fletcher Developments wants new houses to be taller than the Auckland Council is proposing.

Editorial: Cities need mayoral contests

Nominations are now open for council elections and our two largest cities find themselves with practically no mayoral contest.

Outcry over clampers near school

A clamping company charging people $100 for parking for as little as a minute in a carpark have been accused of bullying.

Candidate favours park-and-ride

Building park-and-ride facilities is the first transport priority for Auckland mayoral candidate John Palino, whose long-term solution is to build satellite centres where people can live, work and play.

Chch council consents: Second sample finds no safety issues

Watercare hits back over plan for overflows

Watercare Services has hit back at critics of the $800 million central interceptor plan.

Retreat helping Cantabrians under threat

A Waikato wellness retreat that has nurtured hundreds of earthquake-frazzled Christchurch residents back to health for free may have to close its doors.

Chch consents crisis: Investigator appointed

Brown's offer: a steady hand

Auckland is a work in progress and now is not the time to deviate from the current path, says Len Brown as he seeks a second term as mayor of the Super City.

Brian Rudman: Shameful if voters ignore council poll

A lopsided mayoralty race is bad enough, but at councillor level, confusion abounds, writes Brian Rudman. "With what promises to be a one-horse mayoral race, this October's contest is likely to attract a turnout more akin to the 38 per cent of 2007."

Quick-fix bill stirs anger

The Government's willingness to bail out councils that break the law is angering the ratepayers who are paying the cost.

Michele Hewitson Interview: John Palino

John Palino, mayoral candidate, restaurateur, businessman and actor, spent some time this week giving me a lesson on acting techniques.

C&R splits as members eye election spots

The deputy leader of Communities and Residents, George Wood, has abandoned the centre-right ticket and set up a new ticket on the North Shore to contest October's local body elections.