News Stories

Ashley Hillis’ journey from prisoner to Māori ward candidate
Bay of Plenty Times | 19 Jun 2024

A Tauranga election hopeful who spent time in prison for importing drugs says he’s learned from his mistakes and wants to use his story to advocate for accountability and change.

National MP Maureen Pugh’s name edited online
NZ Herald | 3 Jun 2024

A National MP has had their name replaced with an insult on her own party’s website. It’s unclear whether the governing party’s website has been hacked or whether the change …

Submission on Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill
Parliament website | 27 May 2024

"I oppose the bill in its current form... "I have served on many councils with different configurations over the past 20 plus years. Only one (since 2022) has had Māori …

Palmerston North Pitopito Kōrero: News in brief
Manawatu Guardian | 22 May 2024

"[T]wo petitions are circulating about the Featherston St changes. One started by Jackie Wheeler, who is a driving force behind the Palmerston North Residents group, calls for the Featherston St …

Owners of villa thrilled to see restrictive heritage listing removed
Post / Stuff NZ | 10 May 2024

"Tony and Debra DeLorenzo had found Wellington’s district plan heritage processes “difficult and confusing”, even as they tried to follow the rules by asking council staff for advice. More proactive …

Council 'disappointed' by Waka Kotahi funding freeze
Stuff | 9 Nov 2023

Tasman mayor Tim King said it was "disappointing” that it will take longer to progress some of the improvements that were proposed under Transport Choices programme funding, as the council …

Restoring the mana of Te Motu o Poutoa
Manawatu Standard | 20 Oct 2023

Opposition to Te Motu o Poutoa project: "Cr Karen Naylor was more hesitant. She said she had not quite expected work on a reserve management plan to come up with …

How Documentarian David Farrier Got Caught in His Subject’s Trap
Slate | 5 Oct 2023

In Mister Organ, the Tickled director gets snared by an even creepier villain—who still hasn’t let him go.

Climate Action Week 2023 is behind – thanks so much to our community!
Nelson Tasman Climate Forum | 14 Jun 2023

TDC Mayor Tim King gave a thought-provoking speech about his experience as a farmer, disappointed at the extent of food that is wasted.

How we plan for New Zealand's next big disaster
Newsroom | 19 Apr 2023

Tasman District mayor Tim King says it was anticipated that the rain event would hit the western part of the region, so resources were pre-deployed to Golden Bay, which risked …

National MP Maureen Pugh repeatedly refuses to say she believes in man-made climate change
Stuff | 21 Feb 2023

National MP Maureen Pugh has refused to say she believes in man-made climate change. Asked if she believed in climate change caused by human actions, Pugh said she hadn't seen …

Mister Organ: A voyeuristic tour of damaged human detritus for our amusement
Stuff | 12 Feb 2023

Michael Organ is a troubled middle-aged man with, if we accept what is being presented at face value, a tenuous grip on reality, ongoing mental health struggles and had been …

Disappointment as top of south plea on three waters fails to gain traction
Stuff | 22 Nov 2022

"On Tuesday, King said he was disappointed the select committee did not recommend a change to entity D for the entire top of the south".

Peter Wells: Civic Award winner 2022
PNCC website | 9 Nov 2022

Peter Wells is a passionate advocate for Manawatū mountain biking, helping transform Arapuke Forest Park into a wonderful outdoor adventure asset for Palmerston North....

One candidate, two parties: Conservative coalition picks Hamilton West contender
Stuff | 7 Nov 2022

The New Conservative Party and the Christian One Party have joined forces to stand Rudi du Plooy in the Hamilton West by-election.

'I'm just so humbled': Allanah Burgess, Marlborough's first Māori ward councillor
Te Ao Maori News | 9 Oct 2022

Allanah Burgess was surrounded by whānau when she found out she would be the first person to represent Marlborough's Māori ward on the District Council. "Everyone got up and did …

Gisborne council candidate wore pig mask while on duty as police officer
rnz | 23 Sep 2022

It is understood the incident involved Thompson wearing the [pig] mask while driving a marked patrol car about 20 years ago, but he did not lose his job over the …