Podcasts about local councils

The four candidates vying to be Lower Hutt's next mayor faced off on Monday night in a debate in front of around a hundred voters. Nick James reports.

Auckland Transport is encountering everything from Maseratis to milk tanker trailers, as they try to clear the city's streets of abandoned vehicles. First Up's Ross McNaughton went along for a ride with AT.

In today's episode, Trade Minister Todd McClay met with senior US officials in Washington last week, pushing for a reduction to the 15 percent tariff on New Zealand exports; From Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to chamber of commerce boss Simon Bridges to the chief executive of Air New Zealand Greg Foran - the concern over Auckland's economic slump continues to grow; We have our weekly sports panel; Kerry-Anne Walsh gives us the latest from Australia; A strawberry low fat yoghurt ice cream has been crowned the supreme champion at this year's ice cream and gelato awards.

A South Island mayor says he's failed his ratepayers who are facing an almost 40 percent increase in rates over the next two years to pay for water. Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson was moderating the debate and joins Emile Donovan to discuss.

In today's episode, we have our weekly political panel with National's Nicola Willis and Labour's Carmel Sepuloni; There appears to be confusion over the rules governing when schools are considered open; Students at Lincoln University have been told to re-sit part of their course in person, after a lecturer questioned whether some had used AI tools to complete their work; A small town in rural Victoria is still in lockdown, while police continue the search for a man who shot two police officers dead on Tuesday; An iwi and construction consortium is proposing a public-private partnership for a multi-use ferry terminal and port at Marlborough's Clifford Bay.

Tirau locals are split over whether the arrival of a big burger and coffee brand could kill the village vibe or deliver dozens of jobs and an economic boost. The South Waikato council has appointed independent commissioners to decide whether to green light a Starbucks and Burger King on the main road; with hearings this week. There's been 148 submissions, just 39 are in favour the development. Christina Phillips has lived in Tirau for 44 years and supports the international chains coming to town, she spoke to Lisa Owen.

In today's episode, Auckland Council is seeking feedback on a draft plan to build more homes near town centres and public transport, while keeping new buildings safer in flood-prone areas; Carter Holt Harvey is planning to shut down the Eves Valley sawmill near Nelson, with 142 jobs on the line; The government will spend $2.7 billion on a fleet of war-ready helicopters and long-distance Airbuses, to replace an ageing fleet; We have our weekly sports panel; We get the latest from Australia with Kerry-Anne Walsh.

The government says councils have been scared to sign off building consents because they're liable and plans to spread that responsibility so everyone involved in the build will be responsible for the share of work they carried out. Property lawyer James Wollerman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

It's a two-horse race in the Gore District with former councillor Nicky Davis and current mayor Ben Bell facing off for the mayoralty. Tess Brunton was there.

The government has announced a shake up of the building consents regime, which it says will cut delays and costs for construction projects. Building Industry Federation chief executive Julien Leys spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Plans to block road access to a remote stretch of the South Wairarapa coastline will deny sufers access to one country's most pristine surf breaks. South Wairarapa District Council wants to close access to a paper or unfinished road that leads to the Cape Palliser coast line. The council says native flora and fauna in the area been damaged by four wheel drives, quad bikes and campers. The area includes Wahi tapu sites, ancestrial burial grounds and historic pa sites. Michael Gunson first surfed White Rock along that part of the coast in 1976 and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dunedin locals say they're being robbed of a small joy in life - free parking on a Sunday in the CBD. Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Councils are warning they can't afford to comply with proposed rules that will force them to upgrade their emergency preparedness. Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz talked to Corin Dann.

In part two, the South Wairarapa District Council is consulting on a proposed bylaw to close the unofficial paper road to Cape Palliser which crosses private land: locals are outraged, we find out why. Finally, indie promoters in Auckland have been told to stop putting up gig posters.

In today's episode, Public hearings in the Covid-19 Royal Commission have been abandoned after key witnesses, including Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, former Finance Minister Grant Robertson, refused to appear; Auckland's mayor is renewing his call for a bed tax for the supercity, as it deals with some serious economic troubles; For decades, rules around water quality under the Resource Management Act have protected waterways from scums, foams, colour or clarity changes and becoming unsafe for livestock; Tinā has surpassed Whale Rider at the box office.

On Wednesday, the Governance and Administration committee were joined by two officials from the Office of the Auditor-General to hear about the long term plans of Local Government. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dogs in Tauranga are less likely to be put down compared to neighbouring towns in the Bay of Plenty. Libby Kirkby-McLeod finds out what's making the difference.

The government is being urged to inject stimulus into Auckland's economy after dismal unemployment figures for the city were released this week. Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

Wellington city council has voted against a proposal to urgently put fences up around the Wellington waterfront. Wellington City Councillor Iona Pannett spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, research by the University of Otago shows many New Zealand GPs are already using AI to record and write up patient notes; Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a meeting of his security cabinet, to discuss the occupation of Gaza; The government is being urged to inject stimulus into Auckland's economy after dismal unemployment figures for the city were released this week; We have our weekly sports chat: Kerry-Anne Walsh gives us the latest from Australia.

When projects in Wellington get mooted, there are often artists impressions of the project showing Wellington on a brilliantly sunny day, with well-dressed joggers going past, sober teenagers discussing world issues and no homeless anywhere. The reality is different and council's artists impressions - with roofed bus stops and fences that aren't actually what will go there are being called into question. Dave Armstrong talks to Jesse about this and other issues he says need solving.

A pōhutukawa tree is splintering relations between residents of an Auckland apartment complex, the council and the local iwi. Resident and broadcaster Murray Deaker spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Hidden among the bustle of modern day of Tauranga lies one of Aotearoa's most significant heritage sites, The Elms Te Papa Tauranga The site has borne witness to more than 600 years of our often-turbulent history. A new book 'The Spirit of a Place' traces this legacy starting with the arrival of the first Polynesian voyaging canoes, the arrival of Pakeha, to the complex interactions that followed. Author Sarah Ell joins Jesse in studio.

In the battle against Queenstown's exploding rabbit population, a team of trained ferrets is leading the charge. Jim Curry and Jacqui Elson believe in the power of using pests, to fight pests. Katie Todd has more.

Auckland's tourism sector is embracing Māori and Pasifika culture as the city's cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, aims to build a more distinct international brand for the city. Felix Walton has more.

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.

The Panel talks to safety campaigner Geoff Upson who says there are too many speed humps in Manuwera and the town risks being known as "hump town". They then pay homage to the national treasure that is the Taranaki Star. The community newspaper delivers its last print edition today after 145 years of service - we talk to Cliff Hunt who worked at the paper for 47 years.

The Government's keeping tabs on how much councils are spending and where the money's going. Yearly performance metrics are out for each council, showing rates rises, revenue, debt levels, expenditure, and whether the budget's balanced. Monitoring comes as the Government considers a rates cap. Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden says successive years of underfunding and borrowing has contributed to the region's notable debt levels. "Obviously, there will be nuances and context that will not be able to be read into the figures. I think, give it a bit of time, we'll get used to this and the tables could provide some useful information." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local body elections will be held in October, but most Regional Councils don't have enough candidates for a contest. New Zealand's longest serving regional council Chair Doug Leeder spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An agreement between Taupo councillors and local iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa has caused controversy after one of the councillors called in lobby group Hobson Pledge to raise concerns with a wider audience. Maori News Journalist Pokere Paewai spoke to Corin Dann.

Aucklanders are being warned not to go onto beaches or into the water, as the country remains under a tsunami advisory. Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Adam Maggs spoke to Corin Dann.

Flooding and road closures have cut off access between Whakatane and Opotiki, causing major disruption. Whakatane District Council local duty controller Nicholas Woodley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland councillors are calling on the government to take action over the growing homelessness problem in the city. Associate Minister for Housing Tama Potaka spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Bay of Plenty has been one of the heaviest hit by the latest band of wet and wild weather. Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Duty Controller Nassah Rolleston-Steed spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

All the rain hammering the North Island for the past months has filled Auckland's water supply dams to 100 percent, the first time since 2023. Watercare head of water Sharon Danks spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There is growing discontent in Rotorua about the state of the Ohau channel diversion wall which is meant to protect the pristine waters of Lake Rotoiti. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

A push to stop helicopters from landing or taking off in Auckland suburbs has become ensnared in a web of bureaucracy. Felix Walton reports.

In today's episode, the government has introduced legislation that would require people to enrol to vote or update their details before advance voting begins; Auckland councillors have kicked for touch on the issue of helicopters in residential areas; Nearly half of the New Zealanders applying for Australian citizenship weren't born here; A farm in Dannevirke has lost more than $60,000 worth of stock to cattle rustlers; We have our weekly political pane; Kerry-Anne Walsh gives us the latest from across the Tasman.

Auckland councillors have kicked for touch on the issue of helicopters in residential areas. Councillors Mike Lee and Richard Hills spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Woodend residents north of Christchurch are being encouraged to re-imagine what their town centre will look like after State Highway no longer cuts through their town next year. Woodend-Sefton Community Board deputy chair Mark Paterson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The government is considering options to control rate rises, including placing a cap on how much local councils can increase rates. Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe and Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Councillors will today debate the private use of helicopters in residential areas, following an Environment Court challenge to Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' approval to build a helipad at their Westmere home. Whau Ward Councillor Kerrin Leoni spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland councillors will debate a move to ban private use of helicopters in residential areas. Victor Waters explains.

Auckland's predicted rapid growth, and all the implications that come with that, has been set out in a pre local government election report from the council's Chief Executive, Phil Wilson. 

New Plymouth ratepayers are getting a cash-back of around $100 per household, after a rates blunder. New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Legislation aimed at getting local councils to keep their costs down has passed its first reading coinciding with this year's Local Government conference in Christchurch. Political reporter Russell Palmer has the story.

Senior Cabinet Minister Chris Bishop has launched a broadside at local government at a conference in Otautahi-Christchurch.The RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister has said councils are crying out for more from central government, but have stood in the way of growth and been unwilling to cut their own cloth, and New Zealanders are noticing. At the Local Government New Zealand opening day, Chris Bishop also announced the government is halting what it says is pointless council planning work ahead of its major shake-up of resource management laws. Otautahi reporter Timothy Brown was at the conference spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A Rotorua organisation providing sleeping pods for the city's homeless says they're being held back by council insisting that they get consents. The Village of Hope has been set up in a secret location by the group Love Soup, which says it's an effort to give the city's homeless somewhere safe to sleep and to move them away from CBD shop fronts. Rotorua has been grappling with a large homeless population in recent years, and last month a large number of homeless people were trespassed from a makeshift camp in the CBD. It also comes as a controversial programme that uses the city's motels as emergency housing is phased out. Julie King from Love Soup spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Christchurch's mayor has told his councillors that hospital workers are sleeping in their cars just so they can get a car park. Nurses Organisation delegate at Christchurch Hospital Gayl Marryatt spoke to Corin Dann.