Local Government Stories

Global Stories

Local Government stories

AWS event in Newcastle targets North East tech SMEs

North East SMEs will get guidance on public sector contracts and cloud tools at a free Newcastle session with AWS and industry speakers.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

Trust Before Technology: Why Council ERP Programs Fail Before Go-Live

Shadow spreadsheets often expose why council ERP projects collapse, as staff comply with change plans while quietly distrusting the new system.

By Sarabpreet (SP) Singh • 5 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

Inflation

Waikato District Council records a $26.7m operating surplus for 2025/26

Revenue ran well ahead of budget as Waikato District Council turned a forecast $5.8 million deficit into a $26.7 million operating surplus in 2025/26.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • Today

Local Government

Whakatāne hits pause on joint water service consultation

Residents will wait longer for a say on whether Whakatāne should join a four-council water body, after neighbouring councils paused their own plans.

By Diane McCarthy • 3 min read • Today

Mackenzie council supports move to sell Alpine Energy shares

Residents will be consulted before councillors decide whether selling the 4.96% stake could boost returns and trim debt costs.

By Claire Taylor • 3 min read • Today

Earthquakes

High fuel prices creating public transport challenges for Canterbury

Rising petrol costs may force Canterbury buses to cut off-peak runs and delay planned service boosts as demand keeps climbing.

By David Hill • 4 min read • Today

Local Government

Support for Amberley's SH1 speed limit drop

The lower limit is expected to cut injury crashes by 23 percent on the 0.9km stretch as Amberley grows and traffic rises.

By David Hill • 2 min read • Yesterday

Risk & Compliance

Major planning shake-up set to transform council consenting

Councils face an $860m bill and years of transition before a streamlined planning regime is expected to cut consent volumes.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Yesterday

Housing

Revisiting zombie towns: What happens when the housing supply keeps up

Where councils helped build homes, Clutha has reversed decline, tripling section values and keeping young families in town.

By Shamubeel Eaqub • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Local Government

Waikato Waters $2m over budget as storm-damaged plant eyes November reopening

Customer charges will not rise, despite Waikato Waters reporting an $18.6 million spend against a $16.5 million budget and a November reopening target.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Real estate

Do you know how risky your home is?

Many buyers are overlooking flood and other hazard risks, leaving some homeowners exposed to higher premiums or uninsurable properties.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • Last week

Risk & Compliance

Tauranga ratepayers group slams secrecy around Marty Grenfell's resignation

Residents say secrecy over the council chief executive's exit leaves ratepayers facing unanswered questions over any payout after the Mount landslide review.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 2 min read • Last week

Agricultural Technology

El Niño could raise wildfire and water-quality risks in Hawke's Bay, council says

The dry spell could hit farms, rivers and firefighting readiness across Hawke's Bay, with below-normal rain and warmer temperatures forecast.

By Linda Hall • 4 min read • Last week

Māori

Gisborne council votes to close Titirangi Maunga roads to vehicles overnight

Night-time vehicle access to Titirangi Maunga will end in early 2027, after residents backed gates to curb dumping and vandalism.

By Imogen Brophy • 4 min read • Last week

Urban Planning

Old bridge, new look: Major makeover for historic Ashburton landmark

Restoration of the 109-year-old Ashburton footbridge is nearly finished, with the $880,000 job due to reopen it by the end of October.

By Jonathan Leask • 4 min read • Last week

Network Security

SSS launches managed security service in New Zealand

Public bodies and mid-market firms in New Zealand can now use a single managed cyber service to cut tool sprawl and relieve overstretched IT teams.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last week

Construction

Run-down Invercargill council building still awaiting repairs

A fifth of the budget has gone on temporary office moves for staff, as Invercargill City Council still has no timeframe for repairing its ageing headquarters.

By Matthew Rosenberg • 3 min read • Last week