Stories by Emily Ireland

A common mistake with residential plumbing and drainage works was a key contributor of sewage in Masterton floodwaters, the council says.

South Wairarapa District Council is working to understand the full impact of a $51 million blunder by Wellington Water, just days after shaving 0.6 percent off the proposed rates increase for 2024-25.

A critic is querying whether South Wairarapa councillors' behaviour amounted to bullying.

South Wairarapa Mayor Martin Connelly has returned from a two-month leave of absence to a council he remains at odds with.

Carterton's deputy mayor is "disappointed" and "disgusted" at the response to a proposal to erect a memorial sculpture of the late Georgina Beyer.

The late politician was the world's first openly transgender mayor and member of parliament.

Mayor Martin Connelly says he is not aware of the move and cannot comment further at this stage.

The two entities refused to disclose the settlement amount that ended a lengthy legal dispute over Wairarapa's defective hospital.

Dying is proving to be a pricey task, with the Work and Income Funeral grant failing to cover burial costs in Masterton.

Councillors have voted to progress a $2.77m water project, despite being advised on two occasions not to.

Masterton residents will be charged for their water using meters from 1 July next year.

A "confidential settlement" has brought an end to a lengthy legal dispute over Wairarapa's defective hospital.

The council notices - issued seven years ago - required remediation to be completed by 2021, but this date was incorrect.

A Town Hall option labelled "risky" and impracticable will now go to the public for consultation.

Masterton District Council's preferred plans for its town hall, library, and municipal buildings have an estimated combined cost of $49 million.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark is standing firm on his support for the amalgamation of Wairarapa's three councils, despite Masterton postponing talks.

The oak is one of 34 trees remaining from an Arbour Day planting event at Carterton in 1904.

The fate of a 122-year-old oak tree is in the hands of Carterton councillors after being deemed to be "compromised".

Carterton District Council will be asked to scrap a multimillion-dollar water processing project in a bid to save ratepayers footing a hefty bill.

The Ombudsman has faced fierce criticism over his recommendations for councils to open workshops to the public.

The pipe supplying the only source of drinking water to the town remains at high risk of failure and an urgent solution is needed, experts say.

The government's withdrawal of the Voting Age Bill is disrespectful and discriminatory, a youth advocate says.

As deadlines draw nearer for owners to fix earthquake-prone buildings, Masterton's mayor says things "could get quite messy".

Council policies on te reo Māori are not affected by the government's rollback, the local government minister has confirmed.

South Wairarapa District Council is seeking the endorsement of a refreshed Māori Policy that will ingrain the use of te reo Māori within the organisation and community.