Councils

Invercargill and Southland mayors are clashing over how the Oreti River should be managed under proposed council reforms, with both citing the waterway as crucial to their preferred governance models. Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell says his council cannot accept Southland District Council's two-council model because it would separate

Environment Southland has cut its proposed rates increase again, dropping it to 3.25 percent for 2026-27. Councillors had already slashed the increase from the Long-term Plan's forecast of 12.6 percent to 3.9 percent. Today they endorsed a draft Annual Plan with a further reduction. The

Gore District Council will ask residents to choose between five options for reshaping local government across the south. The decision follows an extraordinary meeting today where councillors agreed to join the Government's Head Start reform process — a fast-track pathway that lets councils propose their own restructuring before compulsory

Southland council workers are being abused, threatened and hit by flying objects while doing their jobs. A mystery object smashed through a council vehicle's windscreen on a highway, showering the driver with glass. Environment Southland cannot explain what caused it. "As there was no traffic near the

Non-elected members will lose voting rights on council committees. Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced changes to the Local Government Act that will restrict voting to elected councillors only. "Councillors are directly accountable to voters for their decisions. We are amending the Local Government Act 2002 so only elected

The Civic Theatre is turning 120. The Invercargill theatre opened on November 14, 1906, when Governor Lord Plunket and Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward cut the ribbon on what was then called the Invercargill Town Hall and Theatre. Invercargill City Council manager venues and events Ryan Sycamore said the Civic

Gore residents have a month to shape how their district grows. Gore District Council is seeking feedback on proposed changes to its Subdivision and Land Development Bylaw, with consultation running from June 1 to July 3. The bylaw sets standards for how land is subdivided and developed across the district,

Gore District Council wants residents to weigh in on the rules that govern their water supply. The Water Services Bylaw is up for review as part of the council's regular statutory cycle. The bylaw sets out who is responsible for what when it comes to drinking water — from