Local Government

There's been a slight improvement in the regard Aucklanders have for their council, a survey shows.

Legislation allowing council decisions to establish Māori electoral wards to be challenged via referendums has been described as "racist".

Farmers illegally dumping rubbish face a crackdown from Greater Wellington Regional Council, which says it is an ongoing problem.

Auckland Council is spending an extra $200,000 on new measures to crack down on 'fly tipping'.

The political face of Auckland will need to change because Pākehā will soon make up less than half the city's population, says a demographer. Audio

Local authorities are calling for better product stewardship, with $2.4 million spent among 30 councils on clearing illegally dumped rubbish last year.

Bids by the two local communities to break away from the Auckland Council have been rejected by the Local Government Commission.

Acting mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazelhurst is well ahead in the by-election for the district mayoralty.

The mayor of Horowhenua district has been called a dictator following a council meeting that fell apart when councillors staged a walk-out.

The Manawatū District Council is the latest council to vote in favour of establishing Māori wards at the next local body elections.

House values in Auckland are on the rise, but a potential increase in rates is leaving some residents in traditionally cheaper suburbs unhappy.

Suburbs on Auckland's fringes and in cheaper areas are facing higher than average rates rises next year, the Auckland Council has confirmed. Video

Pop star Ed Sheeran has turned up the heat on Dunedin's Easter Trading debate, with fears the city will struggle to host 65,000 extra concert goers if the shops are shut.

Two Northland councils have again rejected the option of Māori wards, though neither has any Māori councillors.

A major review of the Auckland Council's communications and marketing operations has found $32 million could be cut over a decade.

The Māori owners of Porotī Springs in Northland have run out patience in the battle for control of their water.

Dunedin bar owners are waiting to hear whether they will be able to cater for the more than 110,000 Ed Sheeran fans expected over Easter weekend.

The Napier City Council has decided not to go ahead with a proposal to introduce a Māori ward for the city.

Conservationists are calling on councils to cull stray cats instead of relying on the SPCA to rehome the abandoned animals, which pose a threat to endangered native wildlife.