Local Council

The mayor has hailed the deal as a win for "our region's outstanding screen production industry".

Palmerston North City Council is seeking the owner of a spa pool found "smack bang" in the middle of the road.

Alcohol harm costs the economy $9.1b a year, and the substance is linked to more than 200 medical conditions, Te Whatu Ora's medical officer of health says.

Steve Gibson said there were several reasons for his discomfort.

But this time, it is good news for ratepayers.

Physical works on the much anticipated Woodend Bypass are due to get underway this year, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.

Auckland Council has bought over a thousand homes it's deemed too risky to live in, but some say the $1.2 billion scheme hasn't worked for everyone. Audio

Broken signs, embedded tyre tracks, and blatant disregard for a bylaw are threatening a delicate biodiversity area, a report says.

It hit headlines last year, with the council saying it had received ongoing complaints about safety and the conditions.

A camper has spoken about efforts to raise the alarm, including a call to police three hours before the slip.

Councillors paid tribute to Jules Radich, remembering him as a passionate leader who always put his community first, with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Audio

Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and slips, cutting off Whangārei communities.

River monitoring equipment that is "absolutely critical" for timely flood warnings has been damaged by thieves on two Marlborough rivers, sparking a plea from the council.

Returning mayor Tania Tapsell raised the most money and spent the most in her bid to get re-elected.