Latest Regional Headlines
Water conservation is everyone’s responsibility
20 November 2009 5:30pm | Upper Hutt City Council
Conserving water is everyone’s responsibility and the council is no exception says Mayor Wayne Guppy. “We all need to conserve water to avoid shortages of supply during peak demand periods. We have garden watering restrictions in place all year ... More >>
Hutt City Mayor Welcomes Dowse to Petone Upgrade
20 November 2009 4:53pm | Hutt City Council
Hutt City Mayor David Ogden has welcomed the completion of the Dowse to Petone upgrade. He joined Transport Minister Steven Joyce and NZ Transport Authority chief executive Geoff Dangerfield to unveil a plaque marking the completion of the project at a ceremony ... More >>
NZ Transport Agency: Early Project Completion
20 November 2009 4:40pm | New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) officially celebrated the early completion of the SH2 Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project today. NZTA Wellington Regional Director Deborah Hume says a plaque unveiling event was held this morning at the same site where the ... More >>
Letter to Manukau - Festive Season
20 November 2009 4:21pm | Len Brown Mayor of Manukau
Christmas is descending on our city at a gallop. The traditional first public celebration of the festive season kicked off last week with the tree lighting ceremony at Stockade Hill in Howick. It was the best turnout I can recall in recent years and the crowd ... More >>
Prime Minister Visits Forsyth Barr Stadium Site
20 November 2009 4:13pm | Forsyth Barr
The New Zealand Government granted $15 million towards construction of the new, multipurpose roofed stadium earlier this year. Stadium Trust Chairman Malcolm Farry said that the Government’s grant was vital in enabling construction to begin in June this ... More >>
Transport Challenges for Canterbury, Views Welcome
20 November 2009 4:08pm | Canterbury Regional Transport Committee
Work has started on a new strategy to manage Canterbury’s transport system - the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011 – 2041. Development of the strategy is being led by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee - a committee that brings ... More >>
Boundary proposals a good start says Mayor
20 November 2009 3:49pm | North Shore City
Boundaries for the new Auckland Council and new local boards published today are a good first step and provide a workable basis for further discussion, North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams said today. More >>
Mayor urges Rodney residents to speak up
20 November 2009 3:48pm | Rodney District Council
Mayor Penny Webster is encouraging people in Rodney to have their say on the Local Government Commission’s (LGCs) proposed ward and board boundaries for the area and how it will fit into new Auckland super city. More >>
Transport agency needs to deliver locally
20 November 2009 3:39pm | Manukau City Council
The structure for the new Auckland Transport Agency needs to be clearer on how transport services will be delivered to local communities, Manukau Mayor Len Brown says. More >>
Commission proposal reflection of local concerns
20 November 2009 3:36pm | Manukau City Council
The Local Government Commission’s proposals for Auckland’s boundaries and representation demonstrate the important role Local Boards will have in the new governance structure, Manukau Mayor Len Brown says. More >>
New southern boundary proposed for Auckland
20 November 2009 3:26pm | Local Government Commission
The Local Government Commission presented a proposed new southern boundary for Auckland today as part of its proposals on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council. More >>
Commission proposes new boundaries for Auckland
20 November 2009 3:24pm | Local Government Commission
The Local Government Commission presented its proposals on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council today. Under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, the Commission is required to determine boundaries for the new ... More >>
Man convicted for claiming to be a physiotherapist
20 November 2009 2:26pm | Ministry of Health
The Auckland District Court has ordered British migrant Jonathon Steven Mann to pay $900 in fines for 17 counts of misrepresenting himself as an osteopath and physiotherapist during an 18-month period when he treated unsuspecting patients around Auckland. More >>
Let's GO Rotorua Lakefront Air Show on 12 December
20 November 2009 2:24pm | Rotorua District Council
ROTORUA 20.11.09: Rotorua residents have the chance to participate in aviation history next month with an announcement today that four scenic flights in an historic DC3 aircraft will be available to the public as part of the 12 December Let’s GO Rotorua ... More >>
Project Twin Streams walk and cycleways triumph
20 November 2009 2:15pm | Waitakere City
Project Twin Streams’ 9.3 km network of walk and cycleways has scooped the Avanti Award for Best Cycle Facility at the recent CAN (Cycling Advocate Network) Annual awards. The award is one of the top five awards given annually by CAN. More >>
Auckland Chamber of Comm.: Allow Easter Trading
20 November 2009 1:47pm | Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett today called on all Parties in Parliament to put aside political differences and unite to pass legislation to allow any shop across New Zealand wanting to trade over Easter to do so. “It is crazy ... More >>
Rasheed Memorial Trust Backs Compassion Charter
20 November 2009 12:48pm | Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust
A group of about 40 people gathered at the Ponsonby Mosque to celebrate the launch of the Charter for Compassion on 15 November. The meeting was organised by Aarif Rasheed representing the Rasheed Memorial Trust and Dave Moskovitz representing the ... More >>
Proposed new boundaries for Auckland
20 November 2009 12:36pm | Local Government Commission
The Local Government Commission presented its proposals on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council today. More >>
LPC Welcomes Indian Solo Round The World Sailor
20 November 2009 12:18pm | Lyttelton Port of Christchurch
Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) is set to welcome solo circumnavigator Commander Dilip Donde of the Indian Navy to the port at 10am on Saturday 21 November 2009. More >>
Women injured, witnesses sought
20 November 2009 12:12pm | New Zealand Police
Avondale CIB staff and the Auckland City Police Serious Crash Unit are investigating a serious assault on a 43 year-old sex worker and, shortly afterwards, a 36 year-old hit-and-run incident involving a woman on Ponsonby Rd at about 4.30 this morning. ... More >>
MNZ Welcomes Int'l Cold Water Expert
20 November 2009 11:37am | Maritime New Zealand
A visiting international expert in cold water survival will have potentially life-saving advice for New Zealanders taking to the water this summer, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says. Professor Michael Tipton is Professor of Human & Applied Physiology at the ... More >>
Wastewater problems tip of massive iceberg
20 November 2009 11:27am | Water New Zealand
Ballooning costs for a new sewerage scheme in the small Wairarapa township of Riversdale is just the tip of a $28.5 billion dollar iceberg says New Zealand’s largest water industry representative organisation. More >>
Postponement of Hearing Inevitable
20 November 2009 11:20am | Save Our Arts Centre
"An inevitable postponement which we had already requested" today said Richard Sinke, Chair of the Save Our Arts Centre Inc. He was commenting on the news that the resource consent hearings, due to start on 7 December, had been postponed until February, ... More >>
Putting Something Back
20 November 2009 10:58am | Arcevents
Record fields are on order for this weekend’s Great Cranleigh Kauri Run, but even that takes second billing to one of New Zealand’s most innovative event concepts. More >>
Organics Plant temporary smell
20 November 2009 10:53am | Christchurch City Council
The Organics Plant in Bromley has been giving off a spicy vinegary odour following a trial mixing the odour free compost produced from kerbside green bin waste and other material brought in from an external source. Living Earth and Christchurch ... More >>
Big Walk to Raise Local Issues
20 November 2009 10:43am | Foundation For Youth Development
Veteran mountaineer Graeme Dingle will be striding into Wellington along with a group of young New Zealanders as part of a nationwide walk aimed at turning around the country’s negative youth statistics. Dubbed ‘The Big Walk’ the journey, spanning ... More >>
Banks Street Site Selected for Wastewater Plant
20 November 2009 10:39am | Gisborne District Council
A ceremony will be held on Monday to mark the beginning of the Banks Street development where Gisborne District Council’s largest project of recent time – the Gisborne wastewater treatment plant – will be built. The site will house more than just ... More >>
Gisborne Council Annual Report Available
20 November 2009 10:19am | Gisborne District Council
Gisborne District Council’s 2008/2009 Annual report is now publically available from the Council’s website, Customer Service Centres and the HB Williams Library. The new look report, which was adopted by Council at the end of October, reports ... More >>
Taking a stand against violence
20 November 2009 10:15am | New Zealand Police
A police band performing in a town square is just one way in which staff from around Central District will be taking a stand against violence and supporting White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon Day is the United Nations International Day for the elimination ... More >>
Tsunami Aid for Seasonal Workers
20 November 2009 9:58am | The Community Foundation HB
45 tsunami victims who arrived from Samoa late last night started their day today with a traditional barbecue to thank those who helped them. Their arrival is the result of $17,000 worth of aid given to a Tsunami relief fund operated by the Community ... More >>
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Called to Upper Hutt
20 November 2009 9:43am | Westpac Rescue Helicopter
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Whiteman's Valley Upper Hutt last night at 7:30pm 19 Nov 09. A 9yr old boy had fallen while playing on the trampoline at home and had suffered head and neck injuries. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded ... More >>
Mssing woman's body in the Dart River
19 November 2009 4:31pm | New Zealand Police
Ms Irina YUN, a 36 year-old Russian immigrant living in Auckland, went missing on 31st December 2008 while attempting to tramp the difficult Cascade Saddle track from Mt Aspiring Hut in the West Matukituki Valley, to the Dart Hut on the Dart River. ... More >>
Disaster Awareness Week Winner Announced
19 November 2009 4:25pm | Canterbury Civil Defence
The winner of the 2009 “Emergency Ready” competition is Euan and Robyn Heffer of Mt. Pleasant, Christchurch. Euan and Robyn have two children, Samuel (7) and Emily (1). 2009 is the first year this competition has been held. Euan and Robyn’s house ... More >>
Waiheke Food and Wine Fest Returns in 2010
19 November 2009 4:23pm | Waiheke Wine Festival
The venue will be the same as in previous years – Isola Estate, home to the yet to be built five star Langham hotel – but the style of festival will be completely different. The island’s marketing and event management company, Let Me Out Ltd, ... More >>
Nairnville Park Turf Troubles Sorted
19 November 2009 4:20pm | Wellington City Council
Teething problems related to the first of Wellington City’s new-generation artificial sports surfaces have been ironed out and the new pitch at Nairnville Park in Khandallah has the thumbs-up from sporting bodies and neighbouring residents. Wellington City ... More >>
LPC Welcomes Indian Solo Round the World Sailor
19 November 2009 4:12pm | Lyttelton Port of Christchurch
Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) is set to welcome solo circumnavigator Commander Dilip Donde of the Indian Navy to the port at 10am on Saturday 21 November 2009. Commander Donde began his historic voyage on 19 August from Mumbai. He will be the ... More >>
Campervan park for Wellington’s waterfront
19 November 2009 2:58pm | Wellington City Council
NEWS RELEASE 19 November 2009 Campervan park for Wellington’s waterfront Wellington City Councillors have approved the construction of a campervan park on Wellington’s waterfront and asked the Council’s waterfront company to prepare ... More >>
Forged University Qualifications Seized
19 November 2009 2:42pm | New Zealand Police
Police have been conducting an enquiry into the availability of forged tertiary documentation in Auckland. The documents include forged degrees, diplomas, academic records and other supporting documentation. Investigations culminated in the arrest of three ... More >>
Skull Found
19 November 2009 2:23pm | New Zealand Police
A human skull has been found in the sand dunes in Glinks Gully, Te Kopuru, Northland. The skull is believed to be reasonably old and Police will be referring the matter to a pathologist. More >>
Rotorua District Youth Council for 2010 selected
19 November 2009 1:43pm | Rotorua District Council
ROTORUA 19.11.09: Seventeen young people representing local high schools, intermediate schools and tertiary education have been selected to serve on the 2010 Rotorua District Youth Council (RDYC). More >>
NZ Police: Fatal Fire Not Suspicious
19 November 2009 1:07pm | New Zealand Police
The examination of a house in Hulke Street, Foxton that was subject to a fire that claimed two lives, is now complete. Following that examination, police are now satisfied that the fire is not suspicious. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen ... More >>
Major Taupo Drug Operation
19 November 2009 12:58pm | New Zealand Police
Taupo area police have terminated a major drug operation in the Taupo policing Area As a result of a month long investigation 18 search warrants were executed over two days in Taupo, Tokoroa and Putaruru. More >>
Property Council to Take Active Role in Review
19 November 2009 12:54pm | Property Council Of New Zealand
The Tauranga District Plan Review has the potential to affect all owners of residential, commercial and industrial property in Tauranga. The Bay of Plenty Property Council will be submitting to the District Plan on behalf of its members. President, Aaron ... More >>
Christmas comes alive at Auckland Zoo
19 November 2009 12:38pm | Auckland Zoo
Bring the whole family to Auckland Zoo’s popular annual Christmas at the Zoo event on Saturday 5 December for a magical, festive, fun-filled celebration. More >>
A new plan for regional parks
19 November 2009 12:36pm | Greater Wellington Regional Council
Greater Wellington is developing a “one stop plan” for the management of its regional parks, and is asking for comments from the public to help it write a draft plan. More >>
Final call for Tawa by-election votes
19 November 2009 12:18pm | Wellington City Council
Tawa residents have less than three days to get their votes in for the Tawa Community Board By-election but from here on out they should deliver their voting papers by hand rather than post them - otherwise they'll risk not having them count. More >>
Central Hawke's Bay to Continue Fluoridation
19 November 2009 12:04pm | Central Hawke's Bay District Council
After a thorough consultation process with the local community, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has decided to continue to fluoridate the Waipukurau water supply. Mayor Trish Giddens said today that Council was happy with the consultation process ... More >>
Bay of Plenty: Dioxin Levels Not a Direct Concern
19 November 2009 11:56am | Environmental Bay Of Plenty
Environment Bay of Plenty’s sample of an area of exposed black sediment taken from the Matata Lagoon works last month has confirmed positive for dioxin as expected based on previous sampling information, however the level does not present a direct ... More >>
ARTA Releases RFTP for Consultation
19 November 2009 11:49am | Auckland Regional Transport Authority
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) today released the Draft Auckland Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) for public consultation. ARTA’s General Manager, Strategy and Planning, Peter Clark, says, “The purpose of the Plan is to specify ... More >>
Mary Potter Hospice Celebrates 30th Anniversary
19 November 2009 11:08am | Mary Potter Hospice
Mary Potter Hospice is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an Open Day on 22 November at its Inpatient Unit in Newtown. Chief Executive, Ria Earp, says that they are inviting the public to visit and celebrate 30 years of caring in the community. “We believe ... More >>
Cathedral Square Tree Being Removed Today
19 November 2009 10:56am | Christchurch City Council
One of the 89-year-old lime trees in Cathedral Square which surround the statue of Christchurch’s founder John Robert Godley is being removed today (19 November). The 20-metre tall tree went into serious decline last year and has died, says City ... More >>
River settlement could lead to tighter regulation
19 November 2009 10:30am | Environment Waikato
The signing of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claim River Settlement Bill is likely to mean Environment Waikato will need to tighten its regulatory processes to protect water quality in the Waikato River, says EW chairman Peter Buckley. In remarks to ... More >>
Operation COBRA disrupts Wellington Drug Community
19 November 2009 9:25am | New Zealand Police
Wellington Police have arrested more than 50 people over the past seven days in efforts to disrupt criminal activity. The focus has been on drug offending with detectives and general duties staff deployed to execute search warrants and make arrests in ... More >>
Hamilton homicide investigation
19 November 2009 9:22am | New Zealand Police
A cordon has been established and a scene examination is commenced following a homicide in the Hamilton suburb of Chartwell overnight. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said Police were called to the Bellmont Ave address about 1.30am. "We're currently ... More >>
Football Fans Given Chance to Win Campaign Flags
18 November 2009 5:33pm | Positively Wellington
Football fans who buy a ticket for the next Wellington Phoenix match at Westpac Stadium will go in the draw to win one of 40 ‘One Shot for Glory’ flags signed by the team’s All Whites contingent. The flags lined the city’s streets during the All ... More >>
Bikers Champion Anti-Violence in Hamilton
18 November 2009 5:25pm | Hamilton City Council
Bikers champion anti-violence in Hamilton 18 NOVEMBER 2009 For Immediate Release Some unlikely spokesmen come to the city on their motorbikes next Thursday 27 November to spread the message that family violence is not OK in Hamilton. They may look super ... More >>
Victims of Fatal House Fire Named
18 November 2009 5:11pm | New Zealand Police
The 22-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Hulke Street, Foxton early this morning has been named as Atarina Emma Robinson from Waiouru. The 3-year-old girl who also died was Lesharn Kiri-Leigh Taitoko. Lesharn lived at the Hulke Street house ... More >>
Auckland City, YMCA to Close Tepid Baths
18 November 2009 4:43pm | Auckland City Council
It is with great regret that Auckland City Council will be temporarily closing the Tepid Baths in six months due to the significant structural issues facing the 95 year-old building. Independent engineering reports commissioned by the council have ... More >>
Knocking down walls
18 November 2009 4:32pm | Central Hawke's Bay District Council
On 25 November 2009, a wall will be knocked down at the Waipukurau Library to make room for a bigger area for children and a specific place for teenagers. CHB District Librarian, Sue Fargher, said that it is more than just physical walls she is hoping ... More >>
Investigation into cause of fatal fire continues
18 November 2009 4:30pm | New Zealand Police
The investigating is continuing in to the cause of a house fire in Foxton this morning that claimed two lives, but early indications are that the fire is not suspicious. The fire occurred around 2.15am at a house in Hulke Street. Neighbours were able ... More >>