Podcasts about Auckland Council

A long time Auckland environmentalist won the battle to protect a bunch of berms he has planted in an urban style jungle over decades. But plants on another grass verge will be removed by Auckland council after complaints from some residents in a nearby apartments. Freeman's Bay resident Mark van Kaathoven has been working on the berm gardens outside his home and neighbouring properties for more than three decades. Auckland Council has now given most of the berms protected status under its restorative gardening initiative, meaning they can't be removed. Mark van Kaathoven spoke to Lisa Owen.

For their bi-weekly catch up with Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Milly and Rosetta chat with Desley about Auckland Council's removal of flood-damaged homes and the upcoming local elections. Whakarongo mai nei!

The Maritime Union says the Auckland's new Tripartite Accord is a starting point to improve communication between the Council, the port, and its workers. Maritime Union Secretary Grant Williams spoke to Corin Dann.

Landslides are among this country's costliest natural hazards. Auckland Council has completed a detailed region wide study to map landslide susceptibility, the first since 1997. Kathryn is joined by Ross Roberts, the chief engineer at Auckland Council.

Alison is joined in the studio by author Diana Wichtel, to discuss her memoir Unreel: A life in review, published by Penguin. Diana is an award-winning reviewer and bestselling author of Driving to Treblinka. Unreel is a brilliantly funny, achingly nostalgic memoir of a life spent watching and writing. Unreel can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue https://bit.ly/4m4TsOg This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2025. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

Alison is joined in the studio by author Michael Bennett, to discuss his novel Carved in Blood, the third instalment in the gripping Hana Westerman series. Carved in Blood is published by Simon & Schuster and can be borrowed from Bestie collection displays in all Auckland Council libraries or requested from the Auckland Libraries catalogue https://bit.ly/3H48jtm This interview was recorded for Auckland Council Libraries' We Read Auckland festival of Auckland's readers and writers, celebrated 1 - 31 August 2025. Visit aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/WeReadAKL for more details.

An Auckland council committee's calling on the government to do more to combat homelessness. A government report released last week found homelessness has increased but it's unclear by how much. The Community Committee's voted this afternoon to write to the government asking it to engage with frontline agencies to understand and respond to the drivers for all homeless people. Auckland Councillor and chair of the council's community committee Angela Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

People working with Auckland's homeless are warning that there is a disproportionately high rate of women without shelter in New Zealand, concentrated in Auckland. Tomorrow, Auckland Council's Community Committee will discuss the region's homelessness crisis and a report showing the number of homeless people rose to 809 in May this year, a 90% increase since last September. Amy Williams reports.

To come In this place, in this community, we covenant to serve humankind in fellowship, that all souls shall grow in harmony.We face challenges in this endeavour, though we repeat the statement every week.Certainly, we believe that all souls should grow in harmony.You may know this story of former Auckland Councillor, the late Efeso Collins. This story takes place at the swearing in when he was first elected to Auckland Council in 2016. I have never been to a swearing in ceremony, but I can imagine a solemn and reverent event. The mayor in robes and chain, the council members dressed in their best, taking on the awesome responsibility of serving their city, with their intentions fresh — intentions of doing their best to make this place somewhere we can all live well. The town hall cleaned and polished to its finest, perhaps some organ music, dignitaries present, VIPs in the audience, there to lend weight to the moment and to pay respect to our elected leaders. A ceremonial occasion.In 2016, when Efeso Collins was being sworn in, a council usher refused to believe that his wife, children and elders were entitled to sit in the VIP area. Efeso had to persuade the usher to let them take their seats.Efeso was appalled and embarrassed. His family was humiliated. It was 2016, for goodness' sake. Weren't we beyond that kind of racism?

A late night safe zone has found success in Wellington, and is being brought to Auckland. For the past eight years, Take 10, an initiative run by Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust (VSCT), has been offering a late-night safe zone on Wellington's Courtenay Place. Now, with the support of Auckland Council, the volunteer-run initiative is launching a 10 week pilot in Auckland's city centre. Operations Manager Leigh Keown told Kerre Woodham that they get a lot of students and young people on their night out, but it's for anyone who wants to have a break, get a glass of water, or charge their phone. She says everyone is welcome, and rather than walk around the streets, not knowing what to do, people can come to them for shelter. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A spike in the number of bikes and cars illegally ripping up parks is being reported across the country. Tauranga, Rotorua and Auckland councils are among those who have said thousands of ratepayer dollars is having to be used to fix sports field and public reserves. The fine for driving on a reserve without permission depends on individual bylaws but is usually up to $800. Police could also charge for dangerous driving, which could be up to $4,500. Auckland Council's General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities Taryn Crewe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.    

Just how well served or poorly served are we by the engineering and the design of our roads? Residents of Waiuku are reeling after a crash yesterday that has left an adult and two children dead. Some locals say they've been calling for safety measures to be introduced on Masters Rd, known as ‘roller coaster road', for years. One poor man who was first on the scene yesterday lost his best mate on the same road two years ago and says he fears for his life every time he turns out of his driveway. He said if they could start focusing those speed cameras on actual known death trap sites, like Masters Rd, instead of on random corners or at the bottom of pretty safe downhills where they're just revenue gathering —please could they put those cameras where it would save people's lives instead of just collecting the tax?— “that would be a great start”. We need them on this road. He described the area where the crash occurred as being akin to an old school BMX jump. I received an email a couple of days ago from a woman whose friend had his house destroyed in May by a speeding driver in a stolen car. She said she'd spoken at a Whangarei Council meeting to plead for barriers to stop this happening again, but they've refused to fund it, despite the fact that 10 years ago the same house was totalled and had to be rebuilt because the same thing had happened. And pleas from that owner to put barriers were ignored then too. Franklin's Whitford-Maraetai Rd has seen crashes every month. Locals say it's a regular traumatic experience to drive the roads, despite efforts from Auckland Council to improve it. There's been road widening along parts of the stretch, resurfacing of some of the bends in asphalt, and it's reduced the number of accidents there, but locals say they still expect to hear that awful sound of metal crunching every time there's rain. What is a dangerous road? It's very subjective, but one indicator is a high number of fatal or serious crashes over an extended period of time. If you look at Old North Road in Waimauku, from 2014-2019 there were 13 deaths and serious injuries in five years. State Highway 2 from Katikati to Tauranga, one of the highest risk roads in the Bay of Plenty: between 2009-2018, 27 people were killed and 77 seriously injured. In response to that, speed limits were lowered in a number of places, and then flexible wire rope median barriers were put in on sections of State Highway 2 South of Katikati. But you'll remember we've had people phoning in about those because they say it's impossible to turn into side streets – it makes residents lives a misery having to drive for kilometres before they can turn around. So yes, it might stop cars from crashing into one another on a dangerous stretch of road, but it also means risky behaviour from those who are looking to avoid travelling many kilometres just to turn around and come back again. State Highway 1 from Kawakawa to Springs Flat, Northland: 14 deaths, 41 serious injuries from 2012-2016. There is the factor of people not wearing a seat belt, that causes deaths, where they've been drinking or drug impaired, of course that comes into play, but at the same time, there are stretches of road that New Zealanders drive that are completely and utterly unforgiving. You make one small mistake, and humans do, a moment of distraction, one small mistake, and the consequences are absolutely devastating because the roads are unforgiving. Many of them are still the goat tracks that they once were. Just had a bit of metal put on them and call them a highway. At what point do you get a road engineered? And again, it probably comes back to the resource management and the RMA and the problems we have with getting permission to reconfigure roads around the country. You would think though, in the case of the woman who emailed me, that putting a barrier up on the corner to stop a car leaving the road and barrelling into a house for the third time - surely a barrier fence wouldn't be a huge cost to ratepayers of Whangarei? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team trying to tame Auckland's problem with roaming dogs is calling for an overhaul of national dog control laws. Auckland Council suggests tools like fencing requirements for dog owners and greater powers to detain dogs. In the last year there have been nearly 17,000 reports of roaming dogs in Auckland. There have been reports of 1,500 attacks on other dogs and 1,300 attacks on people - although that could be much higher according to ACC claim data. Auckland Council's General Manager of Licensing and Compliance Robert Irvine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

This half hour the panel hear about a 72-thousand dollar quote for a job that was done for a box of beers and they hear how Auckland Council pulled rank on the legendary berm guy Mark van Kaathoven.

A popular North Shore golf course is holding out hope it can survive council plans to turn it into a flood catchment. Auckland Council has confirmed the Takapuna Golf Course will become a permanent wetland that has the capacity to soak up more than half a million litres of water or the equivialent of 220 olympic size swiming pools in a flood. Supporters of the course have strongly opposed the plan and offered up alternative solutions. However, today the council confirmed that 18 hole golf course is no longer possible and it can't guarantee a nine hole course, that's up to the local board to decide. Spokesperson for Takapuna Golf Club Phil Jaggard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland Council is going ahead with plans for a flood prevention catchment that will swallow-up at least half of a popular North Shore golf course; despite some strong objections. A chunk of the council owned Takapuna Golf Course will become a permanent wetland that has the capacity to soak up more than half a million litres of water in a flood event. The Insurance Council estimates there were a thousand claims from property owners in the area after the 2023 events. But New Zealand golf the course operators and top golfer Ryan Fox have been fighting to save the course. Auckland Council's head of flood resilience Tom Mansell spoke to Lisa Owen.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 7 July 2025, the jury has found mushroom cook Erin Patterson guilty on all charges - three cases of murder, and one case of attempted murder. 1 News correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin tells Ryan Bridge there were several pieces of slam dunk evidence. Should former PM Dame Jacinda Ardern give evidence before the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid response? Its chair says she can't be compelled while overseas. Auckland Council is throwing Takapuna Golf Course a lifeline - but it might not result in the golf course keen golfers want. Plus, the Huddle debates whether shopkeepers should be allowed to citizens arrest thieving kids. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's slim options for Takapuna Golf Course, which looks likely to halve in size under an Auckland Council plan to turn it into a flooding wetland. The Council's final proposal converts the course into a flood-protection area. Public consultation is planned for later this year, including how to use the dry half. Auckland Council Head of Sustainable Partnership, Tom Mansell, says they don't want golf in the wetland section. "In the remaining area, if they can fit an 18-hole in and that's what the Kaipātiki board wants, then we'll work on that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Clarkson is the manager of the Kitchen Project, Auckland Council's emerging food business incubator programme. The idea of the project is to provide mentoring and advice in all aspects of setting up a food business in Tamaki Makaurau. Connie shares her delicious recipe for Peking Braised Lamb. Click here for the recipe. 

Nominations for local elections officially open today, but Auckland Council is worried fewer people than usual are expressing an interest in running in Tamaki Makaurau. RNZ reporter Jessica Hopkins takes a look.

Rates have increased across the country this week, with some cities better off than others. Auckland Council has confirmed a 5.8 percent average residential rates increase, the same day Wellington’s council struck a 12 percent lift in rates. Meanwhile, Gisborne residents face an average 9.95% rate increase, which equates to $400 or less for 80% of homeowners. The increases have come at the same as council valuations in Auckland dropped by 9%. But, what do lower CVs mean for your rates bill? And, what does it mean in the context of the wider property market? Today on The Front Page, Opes Partners’ economist Ed McKnight is with us to bust some myths about valuations, rates, and the current state of house prices. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A clear message from the Government: New Zealand can't succeed if Auckland doesn't succeed. The Government's agreed to negotiate with Auckland Council on a 10-year deal to boost housing, infrastructure, and economic growth in our largest city. It's also agreed to negotiate similar deals with Western Bay of Plenty and Central Otago. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking the deal will align local and central government on up-zoning, rapid transit, and innovation precincts. He says Auckland is New Zealand's main international city and is a big driver of economic growth around the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This debate about Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' helicopter has just got really, really silly in the last day. There is now a push for Auckland Council to ban private choppers in residential areas altogether when they next review the unitary plan for Auckland city, and at least 2 councillors now back that. And one of the councillors backing it is the councillor whose ward covers the Mowbray property. Now I'm sorry, but helicopters are a legitimate form of travel for people who can afford them. They are fast, they avoid traffic jams, and if that is what the Mowbray-Williams family want to use to make their lives easier so they can get from A to B as quickly as possible, all power to them. They can afford it. I feel sorry for the neighbours, I do. I have empathy. I wouldn't want to live next to a property with a chopper that was landing consistently, but nor would I want to live next to a property where the neighbour has a noisy motorbike. And yet - we're not banning noisy motorbikes, are we? Some noisy motorbikes, by the way, are as noisy as choppers. They can hit 116 decibels, which is pretty much exactly the same as the 118 decibels that you can get if you're standing right next to a chopper landing. And there is no ban on those noisy motorbikes, is there? There's no council limit on how many times your neighbour can use one of them, there's no council saying: "Oh, you can use it 10 times a month, but that's it, no more." So why are we doing the same with the chopper? I can't help but feel that some of this anti-chopper sentiment is coming from an anti-rich person place, and we need to get over that. Cause we are lucky, actually, that the Mowbrays have chosen to live in New Zealand. These people are gangster rich, they can live anywhere in the world, and yet they're living here in New Zealand. They're living in Auckland, they're providing work for the people who work in their household, they are paying their mega-dollar taxes into our country, they are pumping money into this economy. Let's not make it harder for people like that. Let's not make it easier for people like that to leave this country by getting weird about helicopters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former Auckland mayor Phil Goff joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Modern parents are sceptical of sleepovers as awareness of sexual harm rises. How do we square this circle? There is now a push for Auckland Council to ban private choppers in residential areas altogether following the ongoing Mowbray saga. Are people being too harsh about this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last decade, as New Zealand has grappled with a housing crisis, golf courses have become a lightning rod for controversy. Auckland Council alone owns or manages 13 golf courses across the Super City, and many campaigners have targeted these sites as being prime land for housing. Though, as with any major project, there are plenty of loud voices on the other side of the debate. The recent controversy to hit the green has nothing to do with housing, but instead wetlands, flooding, and the Takapuna Golf Course. Ahead of the delivery of review findings next week on this case, today on The Front Page we’re unpacking the contentious nature of golf courses in Auckland, firstly with contributing writer for The Spinoff, Hayden Donnell. Then, later, to talk us through the golf course and Auckland Council’s views, we’re joined by NZ Herald reporter, Benjamin Plummer. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council and its water arm Watercare seperate financially, but with it comes a 7.2% price hike in water bills for Aucklanders. Watercare's chief executive Jamie Sinclair spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Not everyone's a fan of Government's efforts to build taller in central Auckland suburbs. The Government is requiring the council to legislate for apartments at least 15 storeys high around the Mount Eden, Kingsland, and Morningside Stations. It will be 10 storeys near the Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue terminals. Albert-Eden Local Board Chair, Kendyl Smith, says this feels rushed, and hasn't included any consultation with residents. "So to be told overnight that you might have a 15-storey block beside you is very unpalatable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the council's Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Committee said they would be seeking to implement a number of recommendations that improve emergency readiness for disabled populations. Following a hui last year where community members were invited to bring forward issues relating to future planning for natural disasters, Sara was interested to hear about how the council is taking suggestions on board. As well, Auckland Council has been considering proposals to mitigate flood risks around the Wairau catchment, including one which would see the reduction of the size of the Takapuna Golf Course, to convert the space into a flood catchment. Producer Sara spoke to Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson on both of these topics, firstly by asking him to discuss the desired outcomes relating to emergency preparedness for disabled people, and the council's first steps to implementation

The government has instructed Auckland Council to allow apartments of at least 15 storeys around three key train stations, as the City Rail Link nears completion. Auckland Councillor Richard Hills spoke to Corin Dann.

The government has instructed Auckland Council to allow apartments of at least 15 storeys around three key train stations, as the City Rail Link (CRL) nears completion. The Character Coalition spokesperson Sally Hughes spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Government's instructed Auckland Council to allow apartments at least 15 storeys high near key City Rail Link train stations. Density requirements around the Mt Albert and Baldwin Ave stations require at least 10 storey apartments, and requirements around the Maungawhau, Kingsland, and Morningside rail terminals have been increased from six storeys to 15. Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop say it will ensure Auckland takes economic advantage of the transformational investment in the city. AUT Future Environments Professor John Tookey told Mike Hosking that even the proposition of consenting a 15 storey building in the middle of a city isn't a five minute undertaking. His suspicion is it will take at least a decade to see any kind of measurable mass urban densification around the stations. He also told Hosking that the Government's interference in running Auckland is likely to cause significant political issues. Tookey says NIMBY-type arguments will likely crop up: why here, who's going to fund it, and how will it impact everyone else in the area? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of Auckland dog lovers are planning legal action over a decision to ban off leash pooches at a popular suburban park. Auckland Council is currently reviewing dog rules at dozens of local and regional parks and beaches. Dog Lovers of Monte Cecilia spokesperson Jonathan Sweeney spoke to Lisa Owen.

Housing intensification is a key priority for Auckland Council as Auckland's population is forecast to reach 2.3 million by 2050.  But as planning for growth continues, some Auckland residents have expressed concern about the approval of developments in areas on flood plains or particularly prone to natural disasters. With Kāinga Ora selling homes as ‘high risk investments' in areas which were impacted by flooding in recent years, and 15 percent of all granted consents for new builds by Auckland Council being on floodplains, I spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about how the council is taking into account these issues for the coming years.

It is as expected - if our office is anything to go by, Auckland is a miserable town today because the house valuations are out, and they're bad. Just about everyone has jumped on the computer to have a look by now, I'd say, and just about everyone's house has gone backwards. So my house - it's gone down in value by 8 percent. One of the bosses, not too bad, only gone back by 4 percent. I don't think anyone's house has gone up in the office. Someone's house has dropped by $250,000. One colleague, and this colleague is suffering more than anybody else - her house has gone down by 21 percent. That's $1.15 million down to $900,000. That's another $250,000 shaved right off right there. Someone's feeling agitated. I called a real estate agent today to see if it's wider than just our office. They told me, yep - and people are not happy. Another real estate agent reckons he's already fielding calls from buyers who are mid-negotiation, who are now saying they're not gonna lift their offer anymore. They're just gonna leave it right where it is, because look at the valuation that's out today. Auckland Council says they normally have about 500 people on their website at any one time. When we called, they said they were watching 12,000 people on their website at any one time. As I said yesterday, spare a thought for Auckland. If you have an Aucklander in your life, spare a thought for them because it's a tough day for Auckland today. Because, I mean, we take the mickey out of Auckland, but there is good reason why Auckland feels like this. Houses in Auckland mean a lot, don't they? I feel like probably more than anywhere else in the country apart from maybe Queenstown and the surrounding area, because houses are expensive in Auckland. Young Aucklanders obsess about it. They scrimp and they save, and they try so bloody hard to get into their first house. It's totally understandable that absolutely no one in this town wants to watch their house then go down in value. But of course, bear in mind, it is slightly irrational. If you are one of these Aucklanders doing this, you are being irrational, you realize that, because you're not suddenly poorer today than you were yesterday, are you? I mean, the value of the thing has not changed overnight. It's simply just been written down. In fact, it was written down a year ago, it's just taken them a year to put it out there. And if you're buying and selling in the same market, it really doesn't matter at all. It's only if you're cashing up to move out of town or to get rid of an investment property or something like that, that this actually matters. Now, I say that knowing that none of that is gonna sink in - we're gonna continue to be irrational because it is all in our heads, isn't it? We feel wealthier when the house is worth more, and that ain't what happened today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buyers could hold all the cards, based on a plunge in Auckland Council home valuations. Numbers have been released today for 630,000 properties across the region, and will affect how the spread of rates from next month. On average, residential homes dropped nine percent from 2021 CVs. Real estate agent, Rawdon Christie, says buyers could use it to help beat down prices. He explained they're making it clear they think they're making a good offer - given values have dropped. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residential property values in Auckland have dropped by nine percent. Auckland Council's chief financial officer Ross Tucker spoke to Corin Dann.

Data released by Auckland Council shows residential values have fallen nine percent on average since they were last published in June 2021. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Auckland home values have fallen, down nine percent on CVs released in 2021. New capital values are being released tomorrow for 630,000 properties, with inner-city suburbs taking a bigger hit. Central Auckland areas - including Mount Eden and Maungakiekie - fell about 13 percent. Auckland Council Group CFO, Ross Tucker, says a few reasons have driven the slump. "We've seen apartments fall 12 percent, converted flats fall 12 percent as well - also, we're seeing some of the areas where there's a lot of development potential have bigger than average falls." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new policy's been voted in by Auckland Council which will see housing developers pay a much greater share of future infrastructure costs. The council's looking to raise an extra six billion from developers to cover future infrastructure costs. Suburbs such as Redhills and Tamaki will have to up to pay three times as much as they did before – more than 70-thousand per new build. Head of strategy at Subdivide Simplified Troy Patchett talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the changes. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As of May last year Auckland Council had removed more than 2300 public rubbish bins as a cost cutting measure. Auckland Council's website describes Musick Point as an 8 hectare reserve near Buckland's Beach, with spectacular views over the Hauraki Gulf. But locals are concerned the vista is being blighted by an increase in rubbish dumped around the reserve, a problem they believe is linked to a lack of bins. Liz Domett spoke to Lisa Owen.

North Auckland oyster farmers have been hit with a wave of uncertainty. Norovirus has been found in the Mahurangi River where the shellfish are grown, resulting in contaminated product and closures until further notice. They're blaming Watercare and Auckland Council, claiming they let sewage flows get out of control before infrastructure could catch up. Watercare says a new pipeline should be completed in 2028. Matakana Oysters co-owner Tom Walters told Mike Hosking it's too little too late for many of the businesses, who have been begging for measures to be introduced for years. He says there's been no accountability from Watercare or the council, or compensation after the growth and development of the area cost them their farms and livelihoods. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures from the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance show Auckland Council has invested $3 million on communications and advertising alone for the green waste bins. This follows the email campaign aimed at mayor Wayne Brown opposing the $36 million spent on the green bins so far. Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance spokesperson Sam Warren says this doesn't make sense from an economic perspective. "Auckland Council spends about $36 million a year on the programme - that's a lot. And only a third of Aucklanders actually use it - and even that number seems a little high." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of delay, Aucklanders can expect to receive their property valuations early next month. Auckland Council says it expected to deliver the new valuations, commonly known as capital values (CVs), in the week of June 9 to June 13. Property commentator Ashley Church says it's unlikely this will make a difference in overall valuations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 20 May 2025, Leader of the House Chris Bishop speaks to Heather after his surprise move to delay the much anticipated debate about Maori Party MPs' punishments. Former Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell defends the MPs right to haka in the house without being punished. Auckland Council has spent $3 million dollars on PR and marketing for its food scrap bins - and Heather is delighted with a campaign to get rid of them. Plus, Stacey Mowbray from concussion and brain injury charity Headway calls for a controversial Runit straight competition to be called off. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, journalist Clare de Lore and Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The suspension debate for the three Māori Party MPs has been postponed until June 5 in a surprise move. Do we think this is the right call? It's been revealed Auckland Council spent $3 million on communications and advertising for the green food scrap bins - do we need to scrap them for good? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Council is defending its process on deciding the future of Auckland Western Springs stadium. Public submissions on what to do with the site opened on Monday. It includes three options - some of which have local support. But there are others which have people up in arms - and there are even calls for the consultation process to be halted. Alexa Cook explains.

A decision to ban off lead dogs from a popular Auckland park has some residents gearing up for a fight. Auckland Council's currently reviewing dog rules at dozens of local and regional parks and beaches. The popular suburban Monte Cecilia park is one of them, at the moment pooches can roam free in designated areas. Almost 90 percent of submissions on its future wanted to keep the off leash areas, just 10 percent supported a change. Ella Kumar, Puketāpapa Local Board chair said they want their community to feel safe when enjoying their parks and reserves in Puketāpapa. "Our decision to change some locations from off-leash to on-leash will ensure these spaces are more accessible for all park users," she said. Dog Lovers of Monte Cecilia spokesperson Jonathan Sweeney spoke to Lisa Owen.

Numerous political figures including Ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour have spoken out in the media this week with allegations that Auckland Council is trying to usher in ‘co-governance' on a local level, with their proposal on the management of the Waitākere Ranges. CEO of Te Kawerau ā Maki Edward Ashby called out the political lashback as “fear-mongering” and ‘misinformation', affirming that the proposal is not actually a co-governance structure.  The proposal is for a decision-making committee of 50% representation from the Crown and tangata whenua to manage the land under a deed of acknowledgement. The council says the deed of acknowledgement is in line with the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Act 2008, and follows on from the existing management structures in place.  Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson during his bus commute about this topic and the political commentary that's been witnessed this week. Here is that interview

On Monday submissions close on an Deed of Acknowledgement between iwi Te Kawerau a Maki, Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation. The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act has been in place since 2008 - so 17 years later the next step, on how to effect the act and actually manage the area is underway.

A pest eradication project at Lake Tomarata in Auckland is starting to turn the tide against invasive fish. Auckland Council, with assistance from University of Waikato, has been using nets to remove the pests which have had a devastating impact on the lake's ecosystem. As Victor Waters explains, the work could provide a blueprint to improve the country's waterways.