Local Government stories
The request from the Taxpayers' Union to implement a 12-month rates freeze is misguided and has the potential to put the brakes on economic recovery.
The cloud-based solution will be used to improve customer experience, and to capture and manage processes, according to a statement.
COVID-19-driven revenue losses could force councils to cut infrastructure spending, hurting local economies and slowing recovery.
Billions in COVID-19 spending could be used to unlock projects, create jobs and speed New Zealand’s economic recovery, Infrastructure NZ says.
Auckland's housing crisis could deepen if the Drury project fails to deliver affordable homes despite NZD $2.4 billion in transport spending.
Youth, immigrants and urban Maori are most at risk as planners warn New Zealand must better reflect its diverse communities.
New roads, rail, schools and hospitals should help address years of underinvestment, though critics question whether USD $12 billion is enough.
Fresh funding and planning reforms could speed up roads, water and housing delivery as New Zealand seeks to ease infrastructure bottlenecks.
Contractors still need project-by-project details, with major transport work due to wind down within 18 months and risking industry capacity gaps.
Greater transparency on future works could help New Zealand firms plan labour and capital as the pipeline tops USD $20 billion.
Without user charges, the new drinking water regulator could still leave New Zealand councils struggling to fund overdue upgrades and growth.
Poor housing outcomes and pressure on infrastructure could deepen unless councils, central government and industry align on urban growth planning.
New procurement rules could ease contract risk and cut legal costs, if agencies shift from lowest price to outcome-led construction deals.
The deal should improve certainty for contractors and could cut costs as Watercare pursues long-term savings and sustainability goals.
Three-quarters of industry leaders want central and local government to overhaul how they work, amid warnings that infrastructure delivery is lagging.
A new report says devolving housing and transport could improve delivery, while central government keeps most tax revenue and oversight.
Uncertainty over project timing is hampering hiring and investment, with 77% of contractors wanting a clearer pipeline of government work.
The OECD says labour productivity has fallen 15 per cent against Australia and other rich economies over 25 years, threatening incomes.
MidCoast Council's ICT manager needed to deliver a robust IT system that allowed staff to do their jobs effectively.
Thousands of New Zealanders could be spared waterborne illness as a new regulator extends oversight to all suppliers and tighter standards.