Local Government

All three options for the location of Auckland's port have major flaws, the leader of a working group into the matter says.

A Hawke's Bay Regional Councillor will continue voting on the Ruataniwha Dam despite potentially being influenced by pecuniary interest, the Office of the Auditor-General has ruled.

Local councils are increasing the pressure on central government over what they call the systemic underfunding of police.

Rates for Christchurch residents will rise by 4.9 percent in the coming financial year, after the council voted in favour of the increase today.

West Coasters are being asked if they want one council instead of the four they now have.

Auckland bach owners who do not use their places frequently would be hit with a massive rate hike under a policy proposed by mayoral candidate Vic Crone. Audio

An Auckland mayoral candidate wants to impose extra rates on empty houses, commercial buildings and land to help solve the city's housing shortage.

Auckland mayoral candidates have taken tentative pokes at each other in the first of their major encounters, while keeping away from the topic of housing.

Authorities setting irrigation limits have been drastically underestimating how much water trout and salmon need, new study finds.

The government may force builders to offer guarantees of their work, but a leading construction figure says it could drive them out of an already slim industry.

Wellington city councillors have been told to go dumpster diving if they want to retrieve personal documents thrown out with no warning by staff. Audio

Canterbury's regional council ECAN is opposing plans by eight companies to expand their gravel quarrying operations near Christchurch.

Queenstown Lakes District Council has won its battle to be able to issue building consents - at least for the time being.

The insurance company that covers most of New Zealand's city and district councils wants to raise its directors' fees by 15 percent.

Wellington city councillors are being locked out of office staff areas after allegations of one councillor riffling through papers, and another giving staff a hard time.

A critic of the country's first proposed community windfarm says it's a political statement at the community's expense.

Commissioners running the Kaipara District Council have appointed a new chief executive as the council prepares to hold its first elections in six years.

Two Auckland mayoral candidates are not happy at being invited and then excluded from an election event being organised by a ratepayer-funded business group.