The way the country s councils are funded and operate desperately needs an overhaul, with outdated legislation among a long list of problems, a new briefing paper to the minister of local government suggests.
Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The latest BIMs, or briefings to incoming ministers, were released last week. They usually make for interesting reading and provide an insight into what the officials think are the most pressing issues for the next term.
A report to Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta from the Department of Internal Affairs raised several problems facing local and regional authorities around the country that need to be addressed.
Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt at a city council meeting. The council has generated negative national headlines in recent months as tensions surfaced around the table. “The report fails to identify the culture of one-upmanship within a group of councillors who constantly aim to score points against me and seek publicity for criticism against me, Shadbolt said. His outburst came days after council voted unanimously to accept the report findings with Shadbolt seconding the motion.
Robyn Edie/Stuff
Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt held a press conference late last year after concerns were raised about his leadership (video first published in November 2020).
I m moving on : Why Heidi Hughes quit Tauranga City Council
22 Dec, 2020 05:00 AM
4 minutes to read
A third Tauranga City Council elected representative has resigned in as many months, with the aim of avoiding a fiasco byelection before a commission is installed next year. Following Heidi Hughes resignation today, the byelection has been postponed until next year, but was expected to be cancelled by the appointment of commissioners before the nomination period ended.
Hughes told the Bay of Plenty Times the main reason she resigned was to avoid a messy and confusing byelection. It was going to be such a fiasco of a byelection . and $250,000 is an enormous sum of money.
Budget 2021 will be delivered on Thursday 20 May, Finance Minister Grant Robertson announced today. “My focus continues to be on making sure spending is targeted at the areas and people that need it the most. “We will manage the books carefully including ensuring we are getting value for money .
3 days ago
Morena ki a tatau, Tena tatau i nga kaupapa hauora, E tuitui nei i a tatau i tēnei ata, Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou katoa. When we were re-elected with a clear mandate for change, our Government made three promises: To keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19 To .
Safety Warehouse fined $30,000 for unsolicited text messages
Safety Warehouse fined $30,000 for unsolicited text messages
The Safety Warehouse managing director Andrew Thorn. (Photo / File)
Safety Warehouse fined $30,000 for unsolicited text messages Mon, 21 Dec 2020, 2:32PM
A company which ran a controversial cash-drop in Auckland has been fined for sending thousands of unsolicited text messages.
Greenback Ecommerce Limited, trading as The Safety Warehouse, was fined $30,000 by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The department said the business was investigated after it received complaints from the public about unsolicited commercial texts. These messages took advantage of the second Covid-19 outbreak to sell face masks and failed to provide an unsubscribe facility, the DIA said in a statement.