Local Government Elections
Apathy winning in local government elections as votes at record low
Halfway through the voting period for the 2022 Local Government Elections, apathy appears to be having a landslide win. Audio
Local election voter turnout heading for record low
With voter turnout looking unlikely to get above 40 percent, an election official says online voting must be brought in to halt the decline.
Court challenge against Rotorua mayoralty result dropped
A court challenge against the result of the mayoral election in Rotorua has been withdrawn.
Recount reduces Hamilton mayor's margin to six votes
A recount has confirmed Andrew King will be the new Mayor of Hamilton but his razor-edge margin has narrowed to just six votes.
New Canterbury regional council sworn in
For the first time in six years, elected representatives are sitting around the Canterbury regional council table, while a government appointee has been chosen as chairman.
Thousands fail to vote for DHB members
More than 70,000 Aucklanders left their district health board voting pages blank or voted incorrectly in recent local body elections.
Spots fill up at ECan's newly elected top table
The battle lines are drawn around the table at the newly elected Canterbury Regional Council (ECan).
Michael Laws wins Otago council seat by five votes
Former Whanganui mayor Michael Laws says winning a seat on the Otago Regional Council - by a margin of five votes - is a bittersweet victory.
Defeated Hamilton mayoral candidate to request recount
Hamilton mayoral candidate Paula Southgate will ask for a recount after being defeated by Andrew King by only nine votes.
No Māori councillors, no surprise for Taranaki iwi leader
It is not surprising that no Māori candidates won a seat on the New Plymouth District Council, a Taranaki iwi leader says.
Knife-edge election for Michael Laws in Otago
The former MP and broadcaster is just 21 votes from winning a seat on the Otago Regional Council, with dozens of special votes still to be counted.
Low turnout prompts online voting rethink
Voter turnout fell at this year's local elections and the government says it will have another look at online voting.
HBRC council balance tips against dam
There's been a shift in the balance of power on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, with the majority now against or having major questions about the Ruataniwha water storage project.
Local elections: 'The country's looking a bit redder'
Debates over poverty and homelessness favoured left-leaning candidates in the local body elections, says politics lecturer Bryce Edwards.
Goff to get former Air NZ execs on board for Auckland
The incoming mayor of Auckland plans to invite two former Air New Zealand executives to help restore confidence in the Auckland Council. Video, Audio
Local elections: Steady as she goes in the South
Sitting mayors in the main South Island centres have been returned to office - some with larger majorities than before.
North Island: Mayors cling on despite controversies
Local controversies have failed to unseat two North Island mayors, but both have been re-elected with slimmer margins.
As it happened: Local body elections 2016
New Zealand's 2016 local body election results have been revealed. See how it all went down with RNZ's live blog of all the day's action.
Wellington: Lester to replace Wade-Brown
Justin Lester has been elected Wellington's new mayor, pledging to hold a summit within six weeks to decide on a "united plan" for the capital. Video
Goff vows to restore public faith in Auckland Council
New Auckland mayor Phil Goff is vowing to tackle homelessness, the housing crisis and what he calls 'Yes Minister' syndrome within council. Video