Local Council
Council shames 'brainless numpty' toilet vandals
The Southland District Council has publicly shamed the "brainless numpty" who vandalised Riverton's new $620,000 public toilets.
Water quality safety warning lifted for two Canterbury waterways
It's great news for swimmers, Te Whatu Ora says.
NZ's priciest pools: Where swimmers pay top dollar
Swimmers in Dunedin and Tauranga are paying top dollar, with pool entrance fees in the cities the priciest for the country.
Ōpōtiki street terrorised by roaming dogs
A woman says she was rushed and bailed up by a pack of dogs in the latest in a spate of dog incidents on Ford Street.
Dancers tiptoe around looming eviction
The axe still hangs above Balmoral Hall in Ashburton, but its dancers are at least relieved they have time to find a new venue.
Christchurch community pool rebuild greenlit
A new community pool is to be built in the Christchurch suburb of St Albans, 18 years after the previous one was demolished.
How to recycle your Christmas tree
If you bought your live tree in the first flush of festive spirits, chances are it'll be looking past its use-by date by now. Here's how to get rid of it without causing an eyesore.
New Zealand-first $200m education-arts hub on the cards for Whangārei
The hub will be based around the former Forum North headquarters, only partial use since the council vacated the building for its new civic facility.
Division, abuse and rates pain: Local politics year in review
A rising tide of abuse, escalating costs and the clash between central and local government - Marika Hill looks back at local politics in 2024.
Olympian Mahé Drysdale on his new life as mayor of Tauranga
Drysdale was elected in July as part of the first council to take back democratic control of the city.
'It's huge that my community picked me' - Gisborne deputy mayor to step aside
After 11 years in local government, while raising four kids as a single dad and co-parenting two, Gisborne's deputy mayor will not be seeking re-election in 2025.
West Coast better prepped than ever before for the big one
The region has come a long way in the past couple of years, in terms of planning and resources for a major event.
The mayor who describes himself as 'the Trump of the North'
This Kiwi mayor was thrilled when the president-elect won the US elections: "It's great because it's the end of woke."
Tauranga’s new rainbow crossing installed after six-year campaign
The installation of a rainbow crossing in Tauranga is bittersweet, the pride advocate who made it happen says.
Meet the mayor who's convinced the vest is the best
Vests are Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo's thing, worn 365 days a year. Including under his mayoral robes, to council meetings, official functions and even to the beach.
Toilet humour? It's all just part of her job
The Napier Sound Shell toilets custodian takes pride in her work and isn't afraid to laugh about it, especially when the cruise ships are in town.
Alcohol ban back for Marlborough town during wine festival
An alcohol ban will return for the streets of the small town hosting the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, with talks of the ban being made permanent.
Used nappies, takeout boxes: Blue Lake bin removal causes a stink
Staff at the Rotorua Blue Lake Top 10 holiday park are picking up a bag of garbage from the lakefront every day - and want the bins reinstated.
South Auckland councillor to step down
Angela Dalton said she plans to retire from local politics after five years and serving two terms as Manurewa-Papakura councillor.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown claps back at online trolls in Xmas message
"Jeez, where do these people come from?" he said in a video posted on social media.