Local Government

Prime Minister John Key a visitor levy proposed by Auckland mayor Phil Goff should be rolled out nationally rather than be just in Auckland, if proved viable.

A review of Auckland Council has suggested some radical changes, including a new suggestion for a parliamentary-style MMP party-based system.

A newly upgraded water treatment plant in Horowhenua has reached its limitations and Tokomaru residents are being asked by the council to boil their water.

Opponents of the government's overhaul of resource management law say New Zealanders are about to lose their right to have a say on environmental issues.

Queenstown residents who live near the town's airport are fed up with droves of people parking alongside a state highway and leaving their cars for days. Video

Health authorities in Canterbury insist using water intended for farm animals as a back-up drinking water supply is safe.

The Race Relations Commissioner says the kind of racial discrimination experienced by an Auckland councillor's family is something she hears about all the time. Audio

Plans to source a small mid-Canterbury town's water from a water race used by farm animals has outraged residents.

The sudden resignation of an Auckland local board member who had only just been sworn in will trigger a by-election.

The Auckland councillor whose Samoan family were refused VIP seating at this week's council swearing-in ceremony says the incident is just the latest example of systemic racism in New Zealand. Audio

The Christchurch City Council has voted to completely ban freedom camping.

The Christchurch City Council has voted to place extra protections around its broadband company, making it harder to sell.

Aurora Energy will spend $30 million on replacing rotten power poles, but a linesman's widow says it is 'unbelievable' they are so far behind. Video

Residents in busy West Coast town Punakaiki are calling for an urgent crack-down on freedom campers as the tourist season nears.

The Central Otago District mayor says it will be totally unacceptable if an investigation into two lines companies finds some power poles in the district are in danger of falling over.

Wellington's new mayor says he does not want Wellington's housing situation to "become another Auckland". Video

The union for workers at a Dunedin council-owned lines company says the replacement of rotten power poles needs to be sped up.

A Dunedin lines company manager turned whistle-blower says staff would talk about the risk from rotting and failing power poles. Audio

The new mayor of Marlborough District has made a plea for the new council to respect the decision-making process they have been elected to do.

Horowhenua's new mayor has agreed to work in the council's office building, after previously refusing to enter it due to concerns about its structural integrity.