local government
Categories under local government
- auckland supercity (418)
- C&R (18)
- local body elections (119)
- supercity (102)
How to wreck a busway
Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, July 19th, 2016 - 20 comments
The Government’s proposal to allow hybrid vehicles to use bus lanes is not only crazy but they did not talk to local authorities before doing so.
When is a toll road not a toll road?
Written By: - Date published: 9:36 am, June 22nd, 2016 - 37 comments
When it is a variable network pricing mechanism …
Can We Support Phil Goff for Auckland Mayor?
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, June 21st, 2016 - 59 comments
Every year, Auckland is more of New Zealand. More of its real estate risk, more of its social problems, more of its productivity drag. Just more. And hence more of its politics. This government has long since abandoned policy coherence over any Auckland issue: housing, immigration, innovation, transport, electricity, youth employment, poverty, public health, growth, […]
Strategic Arse Elbow
Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, June 2nd, 2016 - 135 comments
Today at about the same time the Government will turn the first sod of the city rail link and then announce more urban sprawl for Auckland. This is the most massive policy and programme contradiction in a lifetime.
Screw democracy – Auckland to get the Canterbury treatment
Written By: - Date published: 7:24 am, May 28th, 2016 - 172 comments
It’s naked panic now. In response to the crisis that isn’t a crisis Key is going to overrule the council that his government created and screw over Auckland democracy just like he screwed over Canterbury. What do you think of that Aucklanders?
We’re going to burn it all, until we burn it down.
Written By: - Date published: 12:11 am, May 20th, 2016 - 173 comments
What does it really mean to reduce NZ’s total fossil fuel use by 50% by 2030: a warm up discussion for an upcoming thought experiment.
Justin Lester: begging is a social issue, not a crime
Written By: - Date published: 1:00 pm, April 9th, 2016 - 50 comments
The Auckland local government race isn’t the only one where begging is becoming a top issue.
What should Auckland Council do about begging
Written By: - Date published: 9:51 am, April 7th, 2016 - 55 comments
Two conservative mayoral candidates have proposed that people begging should be fined.
Justin Lester launches campaign for Wellington Mayor
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, April 4th, 2016 - 35 comments
Justin Lester launched his campaign for the Wellington mayoralty yesterday, focusing on housing, supporting small business and social services.
House Tales.
Written By: - Date published: 3:01 pm, March 22nd, 2016 - 32 comments
If ‘home is where the heart is’ then what’s the story when everything’s heartless?
Local democracy just got screwed
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, March 15th, 2016 - 31 comments
If the RMA Amendment Bill goes through, then community groups all over the country are going to become intimately acquainted with just how badly they have been shafted by Mr Smith and his accomplices.
Leggett does a runner
Written By: - Date published: 5:58 pm, March 11th, 2016 - 16 comments
Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett says he will announce his decision about running for Mayor of Wellington at a launch later this month. It sounds like he has already made up his mind about what he is running for; the real question is what is he running from?
Government plans RMA power grab
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, March 9th, 2016 - 29 comments
The Government is planning to allow the relevant Minister to change District Plans by regulation or to allow National Policy Statements to change district plans and to prevent submissions being received unless evidence contained is provided by a professional adviser with expertise.
Auckland Council IT Blowout; Guest Post
Written By: - Date published: 6:26 pm, March 6th, 2016 - 62 comments
TS regular SaveNZ looks at the background to the massive cost overruns in the Auckland Council’s IT department. It’s not about the democratic processes of council; it’s because the Supercity was set up to fail.
Young Nats run away from public debate on TPP
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, March 5th, 2016 - 47 comments
Surprisingly and refreshingly, the Young Nats initially agreed. A date was set, a venue booked, and promotion of the debate under way.
Hickey on Auckland housing
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, March 4th, 2016 - 73 comments
Bernard Hickey’s piece from last Sunday on Auckland Housing is a depressing read.
Supercity IT cost blowout
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, March 2nd, 2016 - 70 comments
The real costs of the Auckland IT merger are at least six times higher than National’s original $200 million estimate. This significantly alters the economic case that was made for the “supercity”. Was National’s estimate deliberately wrong, or was it just incompetent?
Boots Theory: What is going on with the local-government Right?
Written By: - Date published: 1:25 pm, March 1st, 2016 - 19 comments
Stephanie Rodgers analyses two mayoral races and asks why the right in Auckland is so messy. And why Wellington looks more settled.
Fuster and Cluck ride again?
Written By: - Date published: 1:39 pm, February 27th, 2016 - 13 comments
John Palino has all but announced that he will also stand for the super city Mayoralty and there is a rumour that Simon Lusk will be his campaign manager.
Humans of Remuera revolt against the Unitary Plan
Written By: - Date published: 9:43 am, February 26th, 2016 - 123 comments
The humans of Remuera succeeded this week in getting Auckland Council to withdraw evidence from the Unitary Plan hearing supporting increased intensification in the leafy suburbs.
Establishment appointed Council protects Establishment
Written By: - Date published: 5:21 pm, February 11th, 2016 - 39 comments
So National’s appointed ECan (undermining democracy since 2010) has decided that leading business man Hugh Fletcher & Chief Justice Sian Elias shouldn’t be fined for their cows sh!ting in a lake. National were accused of taking voting rights so they could favour dairy over Christchurch, and this seems a good example. Canterbury has suffered enough – it needs democracy back.
Government U turn on inner city rail link
Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, January 27th, 2016 - 40 comments
John Key has announced that National will bring forward funding of Auckland’s inner city rail link. The decision is welcome but it should have been made years ago.
The great big list of John Key’s big fat lies (UPDATED)
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, January 27th, 2016 - 79 comments
How many more lies will John Key tell today in his so-called State of the Nation address? Virtual chocolate fish to whomever guesses the closest number.
Local Democracy
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, December 19th, 2015 - 35 comments
Ad discusses a phenomenon where Local Government is having a greater and greater effect on New Zealand’s development. But local politicians are having less and less effect.
Collins and the “monster” board
Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, December 7th, 2015 - 43 comments
Idiot turn of phrase or deliberately inflammatory? You be the judge.
Dunedin leads the way
Written By: - Date published: 4:14 pm, December 3rd, 2015 - 7 comments
On carbon emissions I don’t have any hope for NZ under National, which is still stuck in a stupid fossil fuel mentality. I do have hope for the people, organisations, and regions within NZ who are collectively taking action. And I’m proud that my home of Dunedin is leading the way.
A Labour Mayor for Wellington
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, December 3rd, 2015 - 47 comments
Deputy Mayor Justin Lester has announced his candidacy for the top job in the nation’s capital.
Standing in the Shadow of the Red Flag
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, November 25th, 2015 - 47 comments
“Why would Goff stand for the Auckland mayoralty as an independent candidate considering his life-long commitment to the Labour Party?”
Why indeed?
Is it time for Labour to stand candidates in local elections under the party banner? And can the party lift its profile and its general election prospects by being bolder in the provinces?
Phil Goff for Super City Mayor
Written By: - Date published: 8:31 am, November 23rd, 2015 - 42 comments
Phil Goff has formally announced that he is seeking the Auckland Super City Mayoralty as an independent.
Len Brown stands down
Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, November 8th, 2015 - 59 comments
Len Brown has announced that he will not contest the Auckland Mayoralty next year.
Five years as a united Auckland
Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, October 30th, 2015 - 168 comments
Auckland Council is delivering a publication to all Auckland households celebrating five years of Auckland super city. But is there any reason to celebrate?
- ‘I’m very happy about that’: Frankie Stevens on being the voice of Christmas
New Zealand’s ‘Godfather of Christmas’ looks back on his life in TV and music. When The Spinoff reaches Frankie Stevens, he’s in a festive mood. Christmas is barely two weeks away, and he’s riding the high of having emceed his local Waverley Summer Christmas Jam last Sunday while also looking ...5 days ago - ‘A great song is one you can dance and cry to’: Elliott Dawson’s perfect weekend playlist
Art rock singer-songwriter Elliott Dawson shares his perfect weekend playlist. It’s nighttime in the world of Pōneke-based musician Elliott Dawson, the perfect period for introspection, stargazing and letting the singer serenade you in dim light. “I’m talking about that 20-30 minute period after the sun has gone below the horizon ...5 days ago
- Wasteland: A response to a university restructure
This essay is the joint winner of this year’s Landfall Essay Competition and was first published in Landfall 248: Spring 2024. “What is most distinctive, and perhaps distinctively valuable, about what universities do is precisely what cannot be captured by the metrics societies increasingly use to measure value.” – Stefan ...5 days ago
- A love letter to my five friends
After nearly 50 years of friendship, Venetia Sherson thanks her inner circle. Over a decade ago, when British anthropologist Robin Dunbar deduced humans typically have 150 friends, of whom just five are intimate, I did a head count. My inner circle aced the test. I have five close women friends ...5 days ago
- RSF says global attacks on journalists ‘alarming’, Gaza ‘most dangerous’ and seeks ‘urgent...
Pacific Media Watch The global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed an “alarming intensification of attacks on journalists” in its 2024 annual roundup — especially in conflict zones such as Gaza. Gaza stands out as the “most dangerous” region in the world, with the highest number of ...6 days ago - Report card shows some mental health services hit targets, others fall short
There is "still work to do" around getting people timely treatment when they go to ED for mental health. ...6 days ago - Eugene Doyle: The dismemberment of Syria is a crime
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle What we are witnessing is not just the end of a regime but quite possibly the destruction of the Syrian state. We are being told by the Western media that we should join Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe ...6 days ago
- No plans for scaling back of Whangārei’s hospital redevelopment
Health Minister Shane Reti says stage one is still on budget and on track to be completed by 2031. ...6 days ago
- The Coalition reveals the cost of its nuclear power plan – but the devil is in the missing detail
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Longden, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University The Coalition has released long-awaited detail on its nuclear energy policy, claiming its plan to build seven nuclear power stations would be A$263 billion cheaper than Labor’s renewables-only approach. The figures ...6 days ago
- What is the drug captagon and how is it linked to Syria’s fallen Assad regime?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University After the fall of the al-Assad regime in Syria, large stockpiles of the illicit drug captagon have reportedly been uncovered. The stockpiles, found by Syrian rebels, are ...6 days ago
- Te Tiriti: The history and implications of the Treaty Principles Bill
By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News Activist/educator Tina Ngata (Ngati Porou) has warned proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi principles would undermine indigenous Māori sovereignty, rights, and protections, and risk corporate exploitation and environmental harm. Ngata is a member of Koekoeā, a tāngata whenua ...6 days ago
- Govt’s cuts to contractor and consultant spending ahead of schedule
The government says it is well ahead of its target to cut contractor and consultant spending. ...6 days ago
- Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill officially put on hold
The government has put legislation that would force tech giants to pay media companies for journalism on hold. ...6 days ago
- Teenage prodigy Gukesh D defeats Ding Liren to become youngest world chess champion
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Smerdon, Assistant Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Eighteen-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has become the new world chess champion, winning the final game of the title match after a dramatic blunder from the reigning champ, China’s Ding Liren. ...6 days ago
- Naughty, often naked, deeply wild: F Christmas is a joyous gift at the time we need it most
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Austin, Senior Lecturer in Theatre, The University of Melbourne Gregory Lorenzutti/Malthouse Theatre There are many great traditions of Christmas performances, mostly European and American in origin, where the occurrence of Christmas in deep winter means it is more likely that ...6 days ago
- A new treaty could prevent some misappropriation of Māori and Indigenous design – and shouldn’t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica C Lai, Professor of Commercial Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington From patents relating to mānuka, fake Māori souvenirs being sold in Aotearoa New Zealand, or the use of Māori designs on bedspreads sold online, the misappropriation and ...6 days ago
- Health New Zealand cuts: 569 staff take voluntary redundancy
Almost 600 staff have taken voluntary redundancy in job cut proposals laid out to staff today, it has been confirmed. ...6 days ago
- New three-strikes regime passed into law
The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill was among a raft of legislation debated under urgency on Thursday. ...6 days ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Cash register ding’ by Eliana Gray
A new poem by Eliana Gray. Cash register ding If the price of rigidity is fracture The price of flexibility is bent over backwards sleeping on couches seeding twice a day paracetamol The price of pressure to leave an imprint like the price of new mountains is the destruction of ...6 days ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 13
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Understanding Te Tiriti by Roimata Smail (Wai Ako Press, $25) The little book that made ...6 days ago
- New laws to protect ground-based space infrastructure from foreign spies
Laws will be introduced to stop foreign military or intelligence interference in radar and other space infrastructure being built here. ...6 days ago
- Industry supportive of government’s planned KiwiSaver changes
The government wants to loosen the rules to allow KiwiSaver funds to invest in private assets, housing and infrastructure projects. ...6 days ago
- Tech companies claim AI can recognise human emotions. But the science doesn’t stack up
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natalie Sheard, Researcher and Lawyer, La Trobe University Master1305/Shutterstock Can artificial intelligence (AI) tell whether you’re happy, sad, angry or frustrated? According to technology companies that offer AI-enabled emotion recognition software, the answer to this question is yes. But ...6 days ago
- How is the Big Bash League faring after 14 years of ups and downs – and what’s next?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney The 14th season of Australia’s major domestic men’s Twenty20 (T20) cricket competition, the Big Bash League (BBL), starts on Sunday. Its rise is probably the biggest change in Australian cricket ...6 days ago
- New Mental Health Act a ‘potentially wasted opportunity’ – healthcare professional...
A group of mental health professionals say the new bill is just "the old act, with some new lipstick". ...6 days ago
- Fungal cream wins full funding from Pharmac
Pharmac will next year fully fund a cream to treat fungal skin infections which it says will benefit almost 800 people. ...6 days ago
- Government agrees to toll three new highways being built in the North Island
The new highways in the North Island will become the first new toll roads in years. ...6 days ago
- Been drinking and your heart’s fluttering? You may have ‘holiday heart’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caleb Ferguson, Professor of Nursing and Director of Health Innovations, University of Wollongong Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock It’s the time of year for workplace Christmas parties, and gatherings with family and friends. Maybe you’ll drink a lot in one go. Then you feel ...6 days ago
- The work of Chinese artist Cao Fei explores our brave new human condition in a technological world
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shuxia Chen, Lecturer, School of Art & Design, UNSW Sydney Installation view of the ‘Cao Fei: My City is Yours 曹斐: 欢迎登陆’ exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 30 November 2024 – 13 April 2025, artworks © Cao Fei. ...6 days ago
- Money link to illegal Israeli settlements ignites divestment battle in NZ city
By Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy Reporter New Plymouth has admitted it has investments in companies active in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, contrary to New Zealand government foreign policy and United Nations rulings. The revelation comes a week after Mayor Neil Holdom refused a request from Parihaka Pā ...6 days ago
- Cook Islands govt fends off cyberattacks, passes bill to strengthen financial transparency
Significant attempts were made from overseas to hack into the government’s central network a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Mark Brown has revealed. However, the Prime Minister said that the government’s robust firewall security systems were able to fend off these attempts. Brown revealed this while speaking in support of ...6 days ago
- Conan O’Brien just gave us the weirdest two minutes of Shortland Street ever
For the past three decades, there’s only been room for one Dr Love in Ferndale. Until now. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. In its 32 glorious years, Shortland Street has given us a cornucopia of memorable celebrity cameos. We’ve had Ed Sheeran ...6 days ago
- Hairdressers say they didn’t know some salon rules David Seymour seeks to cut existed at all
David Seymour is spearheading a review of the hairdressing industry to address what he views as "unnecessary" regulations. ...6 days ago
- ‘There is money’ – Call for the Government to stump up on cancer screening promise
During the election campaign Christopher Luxon committed to lowering the age of screening for bowel cancer. ...6 days ago
- NZ Young Labour Condemns Assoc Min Of Immigration Decision To Overturn Denial Of Entry To Far-right ...
Immigration New Zealand’s original decision, based on section 15(1)(f) of the Immigration Act following Owens’ denial of entry to Australia, was a lawful and necessary measure to safeguard Aotearoa’s values of inclusivity and manaakitanga. ...6 days ago - A gift guide for people who really don’t want to buy shit
Gifts can be a source of joy this Christmas even if you hate capitalism. It can get very tiring buying stuff and yet giving people gifts is also a joy and Christmas is a time when one is expected to do a lot of it. But while snazzy and expensive ...6 days ago
- Health New Zealand staff in meetings over job cuts
Up to 400 jobs were believed to be on the line in the latest round of cuts. ...6 days ago
- ‘Standing next to you’: Gisborne council’s stance against Treaty Bill
Gisborne District Council opposes the Treaty Principles Bill, citing a lack of tangata whenua input. ...6 days ago
- British political stoush over sandwiches
The Conservative leader says they are not real food, but the prime minister enjoys a cheese toastie. ...6 days ago
- Government goes back to drawing board on Holidays Act
Thousands of employers have had to pay, or are still arranging to pay, billions of dollars in back pay due to problems with applying a law for years. ...6 days ago
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