Councils

In a major shift for local government funding, the New Zealand Government has confirmed plans to restrict annual council rate increases to between 2% and 4% per capita. The move aims to protect what the Government calls local government's “social licence” while addressing concerns over rising household costs

A new company has been appointed to manage Stewart Island's electricity network for the next year, as the region moves toward a more modern and sustainable power system. NZ Energy has been awarded a short-term contract to manage the Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority (SIESA), which oversees the

Invercargill City Council is beginning to understand the full financial toll of the severe weather event that struck Southland on 23 October, triggering a local state of emergency. During a recent full Council meeting, elected members were presented with a preliminary report outlining an estimated $2.4 million in damage

Council reviews first performance report for 2025/2026 Work on key Invercargill City Council infrastructure projects is tracking well, its Finance and Policy Committee has heard. The committee met for the first time following local government elections in October, with a report on the first quarter of the financial year

A second section of Queens Park in Invercargill has reopened earlier than expected, giving residents a welcomed surprise ahead of the festive season. The staged reopening of the city’s iconic green space was brought forward to Friday 28 November. The newly accessible areas include parts that were initially expected

* Government reveals plan to simplify local councils and boost decision-making through new structures * Mayors could replace regional councillors under a new collaborative regional board model * Public consultation on reforms is open now, with final proposal expected by March 2026 The Government has outlined a major shake-up of local government, revealing

Members of the Bluff Community Board unanimously agreed to reappoint long-standing Chairperson Ray Fife to the role at its inaugural meeting for the 2025–2028 term. At their meeting in Bluff last night, members Jo Eruera, Frazer Murdoch, Haylee Simeon, and Justin Sutherland voted for Ray Fife to again be

A report from the Invercargill City Council has revealed the estimated cost of last month’s severe storm, with more than $2.39 million already spent or committed as of mid-November. The storm, which struck on October 23, brought widespread destruction, toppling trees, damaging homes, and cutting power to thousands.