Infrastructure

More than 8000 new homes are set to be fast-tracked on the outskirts of Wellington, but the region's public transport plan is up in the air. Audio

The move comes as Rotorua Lakes Council waits for a court decision to stop "interference" from mana whenua protesting the $29 million Tarawera Sewerage Scheme.

Tauranga City Council sold the precinct for $13.987m to a developer who proposed transforming it into a "premier superyacht refit destination".

Patient advocate Melissa Vining says Southland cancer patients are facing double the nationally recommended wait time to be seen. Audio

Ratepayers who pay for flood protection in the Harihari district are nervously awaiting a consultants' report on revamping the stopbank system.

Deodorisers installed to manage the stench are "the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff," a councillor says. Audio

It's hoped the transformation will boost energy resilience and support decarbonisation.

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels is returning for the first time since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Lower Hutt's mayor says most metropolitan councils will soon face the same problem Wellington does on funding water infrastructure. Audio

Auckland's Entrust election is nearing the end of its voting period, but will this year's candidates be able to break the 30 year chokehold one group has had on it? Audio

A global survey indicates two thirds of the population believe New Zealand is not doing enough to meet infrastructure needs.

Sounds Air says all regional airlines are "increasingly desperate" and need backing from the government - and Shane Jones has floated the idea of a dedicated fund. Audio

Officially recommended changes include giving one minister the ability to nominate projects, and putting the final say on approving them to a panel of experts.

The airline was operating the service at a loss which was not uncommon for regional services, its boss says. Audio

Analysis - External events can severely disrupt the flow of goods, delay deliveries or damage critical infrastructure.

"This is always going to be an emotional subject," but could help with water security, one councillor says. Audio

A man working nearby said he thought the council was putting in "a kayak lane" and lamented the impact on local businesses.

South Wairarapa and Carterton households could be faced with an average water bill of $7000 by 2035 if Wairarapa councils go solo for transformational water reform.