Local Council
Minister blasts council's 'ridiculous' ocean sewage plan
Mayor Phil Mauger has floated the idea of pumping sewage into the ocean to lessen the stench from the city's damaged treatment plant. Audio
Wellington's council considers budget cuts in bid to slow rates increases
Selling off Wellington City Council's cars, slashing consultant and climate budgets and bringing some traffic management in house make up a new report on council spending.
The helpful rubbish service used by just one person
A little-known fact about kerbside collection has come to light one council - it's possible to have your bin retrieved by the truck driver.
New animal rules: Tougher dog limits, new chook licence
Tauranga dog owners could soon face tighter rules for accessing beaches, paths and public spaces under a refreshed set of council bylaws.
Pro-surf tour in Raglan in May, roads in Waikato
The World pro-surfing tour is to make a stop in Raglan, Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports from Waikato Audio
Mayor dismisses rift over interim chief executive debate as politicking
Councillor Dinnie Moeahu hit back on the motion to exclude the public from the debate even though no one had turned up to the meeting.
Proposed protest ban fails to garner support
While seven Christchurch City Council members voted for it, others said it was a breach of human rights and could spark protests itself.
Auckland's 'stairs of doom' face uncertain future
The Kennedy Park stairs in Castor Bay have been closed to the public for more than three years after Cyclone Gabrielle caused significant damage.
Plan to mitigate stench 'can't end with solids being washed up on the beach'
The Christchurch City Council is considering pumping partially treated sewage into the ocean to ease the odour coming from a damaged sewage treatment plant.
Around the motu: Samantha Gee, RNZ's Nelson based reporter
Samantha discusses a study of Tasman river catchments aimed at protecting communities in extreme weather, the worries over the crew on the former Interislander, Aratere, which has been in NZ waters… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 4 March 2026
Winston Peters responds to the latest actions in the Middle East; Weekly Political Panel with Nicola Willis and Barbara Edmonds; Housing minister, Chris Bishop; A tourism boom in the Mackenzie… Audio
Wellington Central Library Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui to reopen
Wellington Central Library Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui will reopen its doors for the first time in seven years later this month. Krystal Gibbens had a preview. Audio
DOC faces pushback over Harwoods Hole track closure
DOC is facing local pushback after closing the track to the country's deepest natural sinkhole over safety concerns. Nelson mayor Nick Smith spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Tourism boom hits Mackenzie District
The Mackenzie District Mayor says a tourism boom means the region is bursting at its seams. Mackenzie District Mayor Scott Aronsen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Christchurch could have protest-free zones at 'sensitive sites'
A councillor says "there's a time and place for protests", but a veteran protester thinks approved protest zones are contrary to NZ's sense of democracy. Audio
Council deals with 34 complaints about bee poo
Tauranga City Council says it investigated 38 complaints about urban hives with 34 of those relating to poo.
Community forms in remains of Christchurch red zone
Bexley's Wetlands Grove is the last remaining road leading to an old subdivision. Audio
Authorities under fire for failure to deal with illegally parked car for a year
A Wellington business owner is accusing authorities of failing to do their jobs and allowing the owner of an illegally parked car to do so on a semi-permanent basis.
To drive or not to drive on Northland beaches
Whangarei's council is weighing up rules around driving on the district's beaches, Melissa Chan-Green talked with LDR's Susan Botting Audio
Wellington council releases first triennium plan in almost a decade
Fixing the failed Moa Point plant has quickly become a key part of the council's three year plan.
