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...
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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...
Your water services solution
TechnologyOne Supports New Zealand’s Water Reform with Proven ERP Solution. Advertorial supplied. Safe drinking water is something residents of our country often take for granted....
Improving Government asset management
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop spoke at the 2025 Infrastructure Asset Management Professionals Association (Apopo) congress in Christchurch about our infrastructure asset management challenge. “We need...
Are councils ‘Treaty’ partners?
By Mike Doesburg and Emma Burns, lawyers specialising in local government and environmental law at Wynn Williams. This year, considerable debate has been had about...