ratepayers

Wellington City should be taking on more debt to limit rate increases and needs a Crown Observer to advise on this process, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says

Wellington City should be taking on more debt to limit rate increases and needs a Crown Observer to advise on this process, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says

Headline inflation lands on the Reserve Bank’s 2% target, despite the largest local government rate hikes since 1990

Headline inflation lands on the Reserve Bank’s 2% target, despite the largest local government rate hikes since 1990

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged local governments to focus on the basics, even as he announced funding for a dance competition

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged local governments to focus on the basics, even as he announced funding for a dance competition

The Government's water reform policy may weaken LGFA’s financial stability and increase council borrowing costs, warns S&P

The Government's water reform policy may weaken LGFA’s financial stability and increase council borrowing costs, warns S&P

The Coalition Government's water reforms enable council-controlled entities to borrow through LGFA and grant Commerce Commission extensive regulatory powers

The Coalition Government's water reforms enable council-controlled entities to borrow through LGFA and grant Commerce Commission extensive regulatory powers

The Government wants to give local bodies more power – that should include the power to tax, Jonathan Barrett argues

The Government wants to give local bodies more power – that should include the power to tax, Jonathan Barrett argues

Local Government New Zealand wants the Government to give councils more than $1.1 billion earned each year from the GST on local rates

Local Government New Zealand wants the Government to give councils more than $1.1 billion earned each year from the GST on local rates

With a ceiling on rate increases it’s time to look for alternatives to local government funding, Guy C. Charlton says

With a ceiling on rate increases it’s time to look for alternatives to local government funding, Guy C. Charlton says

Insurance premiums on the rise for NZ's biggest councils as range of risks put pressure on Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council’s insurance costs

Insurance premiums on the rise for NZ's biggest councils as range of risks put pressure on Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council’s insurance costs

Christchurch City Council says its insurance premiums are up 20%, or $6.4 million, in the 2024/2025 financial year which is pushing proposed rate hike higher

Christchurch City Council says its insurance premiums are up 20%, or $6.4 million, in the 2024/2025 financial year which is pushing proposed rate hike higher

The coalition Government’s plan to increase car licencing fees by 50% is a workaround for an empty election promise

The coalition Government’s plan to increase car licencing fees by 50% is a workaround for an empty election promise

Rates levied by local governments have been flat for a century, even as central government taxation has more than tripled, according to S&P Global Ratings

Rates levied by local governments have been flat for a century, even as central government taxation has more than tripled, according to S&P Global Ratings

Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings says uncertainty surrounding Three Waters reform is weighing on councils' credit ratings

Credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings says uncertainty surrounding Three Waters reform is weighing on councils' credit ratings

The Coalition Government's water reform policy will be developed by Castalia boss and put in place ahead of the 2025 local body elections

The Coalition Government's water reform policy will be developed by Castalia boss and put in place ahead of the 2025 local body elections

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown are set for a contentious showdown over transport funding in New Zealand's biggest city

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown are set for a contentious showdown over transport funding in New Zealand's biggest city