Latest from Local Government

Political Roundup: Is it becoming acceptable not to vote?

COMMENT: Two-thirds of eligible voters chose not to vote in the local government elections. Should we be unimpressed?

Kaipara council gets Crown observer

Kaipara elects a new council for the first time since commissioners were appointed in 2012 but the Crown has not withdrawn completely.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Feyen to drive change in Horowhenua

Newly elected Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen is promising to include the community in decision making. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Opotiki mayor hits 6

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Whakatane mayor survives close call

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind winning the mayoralty with less votes, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Bay mayors clean out their offices

The Bay's two long-standing mayors have been cleaning out their offices in preparation for their replacements. Tauranga mayor Stuart

Watch NZH Local Focus: Tracey Collis Tararua District’s new mayor

Tracey Collis vows to hit the ground running as she steps up the challenge of Tararua District’s new mayor. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Watch NZH Local Focus: New Plymouth Mayor pips more experienced rivals

He started as an outside chance, but Neil Holdom's strong campaign won him the New Plymouth mayoralty by 500 votes. Made with funding from NZ on Air

Watch NZH Local Focus: New Plymouth Mayor pips more experienced rivals

He started as an outside chance, but Neil Holdom’s strong campaign won him the New Plymouth mayoralty by 500 votes. Made with funding from NZ on Air

Watch NZH Local Focus: New mayor for Whanganui

Hamish McDouall is Whanganui’s new mayor winning almost 40 per cent of the vote and nearly the twice the number of his nearest rival. Made with funding for NZ on Air.

Mayors want return to single-day polling

A return to single-day local body elections is being mooted as local body leaders grapple with falling local body election voting

Post your vote today, urge candidates

Please vote TODAY. Today is the last day to post voting papers to be sure they meet the Saturday deadline for the local body elections.

Lambs' tails dumped on activist's property

An environmental and political activist who had 220 rotting lambs' tails dumped on his property believes he was specifically targeted.

Has Len left Auckland a better place?

It is hard to dislodge the tawdry episode of Len Brown's workplace affair from any assessment of his legacy, the Weekend Herald says in an editorial.

No appetite for Brash's 'anti-separatism' - leaders

Former National Party leader Don Brash says a new anti-separatist campaign may end up donating to one of his old enemies, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.

Govt backs down on council reforms

Contentious reforms to councils have been shelved until next year after the Government caved to pressure from a group of mayors who said the changes were anti-democratic.

Sallies in talks over pensioner housing

Salvation Army representatives hope to meet with Whanganui District Council staff to discuss a proposed joint venture for pensioner

NRC rates for Kaipara unlawfully set or assessed, High Court rules

Mangawhai ratepayers have secured a partial victory in the High Court which ruled the Northland Regional Council rates for Kaipara