Stuart Crosby
The Week in Detail: From pandemic pets to Wellington's budget woes
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
The cracks in our cool little capital
Seismic cracks and new earthquake-related infrastructure rules are causing havoc with Wellington City Council's budgets and long term planning. Audio
The Week in Detail: From sportswashing to council asset sales
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Why local councils want to sell their assets
Auckland Council could cash out $2 billion worth of shares in the airport - and it's not the only council considering asset sales to balance the budget. Audio
Local government NZ president on Auckland leaving organisation
Auckland has pulled out of the Local Government Association with Mayor Wayne Brown describing the organisation as too Wellington beltway and its conferences an opportunity for members to dance and… Audio
LGNZ concerns over RMA reforms
Councils are wrapping up their submissions on the new resource management system and - retaining local control - is the focus.
Local Government New Zealand says many of its member councils are… Audio
Cyclone Gabrielle: Climate change under spotlight in Parliament
The devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle have lit a fire under Parliament, with new impetus to get climate adaptation legislation - or at least parts of it - through the House.
The Climate Change… Audio
Councils able to take ownership of public transport services
Councils will now be able to take over ownership and operation of public transport services.
The Government has unveiled its Sustainable Public Transport Framework, which allows for councils to own… Audio
Plans for climate change adaptation need community on side - Local Government NZ
More frequent and severe flooding is driving up costs for residents and insurers. However, the long-term strategy to deal with climate change released by the government yesterday was scant on the… Audio
Sinking coast will put NZ homes, infrastructure at risk
Rising sea levels and sinking coast lines will put infrastructure and homes in many New Zealand cities at risk of flooding decades earlier than previously thought, according to a new report.
That's… Audio
Mayors shocked mandating three waters reforms
Mayors around the country are describing their shock and dismay as they face being forced into the 3 Waters model by legislation.
The reforms will transfer the management of water assets from the… Audio
Councils voice disappointment at mandatory 3 Waters reform
Today the Government made a bold and unpopular announcement to go ahead with the Three Waters Reform. Originally, councils were given the right to opt out of the reform but this morning Local… Audio
Deadline looms for local councils' feedback on 3 Waters reform
Local councils around the country have until Friday to have their say on the government's controversial Three Waters Reform proposal. The plan would see the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and… Audio
Reforming New Zealand's 'three waters' arrangements
The Government's announced a massive reform of 67 councils across New Zealand into four water services entities for the three waters - drinking water, storm water and sewage. Audio
Planner labels proposed Resource Management Acts too complex
A planning specialist says the proposed replacement for the Resource Management Act is too complex and risks being a catastrophic disaster.
The decades-old rules for managing land, water and natural… Audio
Water reform urged or costs will be unaffordable - studies
Do nothing and a big bill is what New Zealanders might face if change does not happen. That's the conclusion of a ream of studies looking at water reform released by the government today.
The… Video, Audio
Deadline day for councils' Maori wards decisions
It is deadline day for councils throughout the country to approve Māori wards - if they are to be in place before next year's local body elections. Māori wards are a mechanism to correct the… Audio
The future of local government under review
A sweeping review of local government has been announced. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says it will look at what local government does, how, and how it pays for it. Already the government… Audio
Local councils fear reform may cause their demise
Small local councils say the government-led three-waters reform underway could lead to their demise. Audio
Massive water reforms draw closer
The government is pushing forward with massive reforms to water infrastructure which will see three to five specialised water entities taking over control and responsibility for drinking and waste… Audio