Water services reform: What’s happening, and when?
We have received a number of questions about Government changes to water services delivery, write Paul Buetow, Partner; Ezekiel Hudspith, Partner; and Miles Rout, Solicitor...
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Thinking beyond the build
Local government holds the pen on many of our infrastructure planning and regulations and specifies the build materials. By Jeremy Sole, Executive Officer, Sustainable Steel...
Right to know – withholding information
Image: Birmingham City Council House. In our local government system, local authorities are served by two separate yet equally important groups: the elected councillors who...
Council – contractor: an essential relationship
The relationship between client and contractor has never been so important writes Alan Pollard, CEO, Civil Contractors New Zealand. With challenging economic conditions, pressure on...
The central-local government conflict a colonial legacy
Image: Julius Vogel After decades of the central government dictating to local councils under the 1989 and 2002 Local Government Acts, local authorities have danced...
Local Government in crisis
As we stare down another election this month, Paula Southgate warns that constant criticism and bad behaviour are undermining local government. Councils are under siege...
More overseas building products – the risks
The Government is making it easier for overseas building products to be used here by providing assurance that building consent authorities will accept them as...
The right steps for economic recovery
For the past 18 months or so, the civil construction sector (like other parts of the New Zealand construction industry) has experienced a sharp decline...
Let us in on the discussion
Most countries have a form of regional administration for public and environmental services. Some things, such as river catchments, flood control, public transport services and...
Reflecting on a long career in local government
Image: Paula Southgate and her husband Greg Forsyth at the Peacocke Bridge blessing ceremony in September 2024. Twenty-four years ago, when I stood for election, I...