Stories by Moana Ellis
News
Fast track status for big wind farm in central North Island
Manawa Energy's proposal for a wind farm near Taihape could be on a fast path to construction.
Sarjeant Gallery costs jump $20m; ratepayers’ contribution revealed
The final cost is expected to come in at between $73.5 and $74.2 million, with Whanganui ratepayers paying 27.5 percent.
'If it gets here, it's too late': Alarm bell over invasive clam
Whanganui River iwi are banding together with councils, DOC and others to avert a potential biosecurity disaster.
‘Bitter disappointment’: Iwi, councils rally around mill workers
Ngāti Rangi says the community has drawn together, the iwi had fought to find a way to keep the mills going.
'Forced against our will': Council slams poll law, seeks further advice
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.
Councils overwhelmingly voting to keep Māori wards
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.
'Keep the lights on': Community rallies over mills threat
The mill, which employs 230 people across two sites in the central North Island, announced it was closing due to high electricity prices.
'Bombshell': Devastation as Ruapehu mills announce permanent closure
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says he is deeply concerned as around 230 jobs are on the line.
'Don't be scared, mate': Ruapehu councillor's call to back Māori ward
Councillors left no doubt about their own feelings at a community meeting in Ohakune on their Ruapehu Māori ward.
‘It will be ugly’: Council warns cost of water set to balloon
A rural council that hit its debt ceiling while expecting relief from Three Waters cash is warning that the cost of water services is about to balloon.
Lodge guests leave seafood surprise
A collection of freshwater gold clams were discovered after guests left a lodge in Ōwhango, in the central North Island.
Defence Force's $490m housing plan for military camp
The New Zealand Defence Force is moving ahead with a $490 million expansion and upgrade of housing at its military training base in Waiouru.
New kerbside recycling targets 17,000 homes across Whanganui
Recyclables will be collected weekly at the roadside, hand-sorted and disposed of by contractors.
Old dump site discovered at whitebait restoration site
A community effort to create more space for whitebait to spawn in the Whanganui River came up against an unexpected snag.
'I do worry': Under $30k for councillors facing growing workload, pressure and abuse
Pay for elected council members hinders local government's ability to attract and retain qualified councillors, a mayor says.
Mayors and councillors set for pay rise
The new rates are determined "with a lot of difficulty" but the increase aligns with the public sector.
‘Vile backlash’: Marae hails tough decision to fund upgrades
A Whanganui marae leader is hailing a "brave decision" by Whanganui District Council to set aside $3.5 million in its 10-year plan for marae upgrades but says social media backlash has been "vile".
Wahine Māori set to lead global public health body
Emma Rawson-Te Patu said the immediate priority for her two-year tenure at international organisation was decolonising public health globally.
Revamped school lunches may be less healthy - principal
A major provider of school lunches fears the government's new $3 limit for most students will see them eating more pre-packaged and processed food.
New school lunch model could cut out kaupapa Māori suppliers
A Whanganui school lunch contractor says kaupapa Māori suppliers could be out of the picture under the government's new free school lunch model.
Decision on new name for National Park sent to minister
National Park is the current name for the village on the western edge of Tongariro National Park but iwi researchers claim Waimarino as the original name.
Whanganui eyes $16m in asset sales to offset rates
Whanganui council is seeking ratepayer support to sell $16 million of assets in the next year to keep its rates increase to 10.6 percent, but is not yet sure which ones.
'You have to take scale into account': Concern for smaller councils within new water bodies
Rangitīkei mayor Andy Watson is keeping a close eye on the issue of scale in new entities that could be set up to run water services.
'Some councils will be just about insolvent' - mayor's warning over water
The repeal of water service reforms has left some councils with significant debt problems, a district mayor says.
Mayor reflects on 'vastly different' iwi relations since occupation
The relationship between Māori and the Whanganui council today is "vastly different" compared to 29 years ago, mayor Andrew Tripe says.