Stories by Moana Ellis

A Whanganui councillor has revealed his historical family connection to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it impacts his views.

The Bill aims to replace the existing Treaty principles - developed over time by courts and the Waitangi Tribunal to interpret the Treaty in law - with three new ones determined by the Government.

The challenges could keep a rural mayor with more than 20 years' council experience from stepping aside as planned at this year's elections.

An iwi partnership is being considered by Whanganui District Council, which could encompass management of reserves, and a trust to foster social well-being - and could be legally binding.

Whanganui's biggest encampment of homeless people is being turfed out.

Local councillors have opposed seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight and applauded an impassioned first-term councillor for bringing the issue to the table.

A rural council's options for banding together with other councils to deliver water services are becoming clearer.

The potential for a "world-first indigenous-council partnership" between the WDC and Māori will be on the table next week.

Whanganui council is going public with aspects of the Treaty settlement being negotiated by iwi before it considers signing up to a binding "world-first indigenous-council partnership".

The upper Whanganui River iwi has initialled its Deed of Settlement for historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.

The funding will be used to make structural upgrades including improvements to two of the Rangitīkei settlement's main buildings.

A new pou whenua has been installed at the beginning of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing to recognise the cultural significance of the landscape and protect hikers.

"We've had a rough time over the last 12 months. At a time like this, the opening of Te Ara Mangawhero is much needed," the district's mayor says.

Central North Island iwi Ngāti Rangi is offering housing opportunities to tribal members in the iwi's first housing development.

Weston Kirton says costs will go up, regardless of which new service delivery model the council chooses.

Hauora providers say the free clinics revealed the severity of dental health issues among Māori and the extreme need for access to treatment.

Members of three central North Island iwi are preparing to elect their first board of trustees since signing a $28.5 million Treaty settlement.

A wind farm near Taihape big enough to power 150,000 homes could be on a fast path to construction.

The final cost is expected to come in at between $73.5 and $74.2 million, with Whanganui ratepayers paying 27.5 percent.

Whanganui River iwi are banding together with councils, DOC and others to avert a potential biosecurity disaster.

Ngāti Rangi says the community has drawn together, the iwi had fought to find a way to keep the mills going.

Ruapehu District councillors are seeking advice on the consequences if they refuse to run a binding poll on its Māori ward on at next October's election.

More than half of the 45 district, city and regional councils have voted in the past month, with all but two choosing to retain their Māori seats for the 2025 elections.

The mill, which employs 230 people across two sites in the central North Island, announced it was closing due to high electricity prices.

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned as around 230 jobs are on the line.