Dunedin City Council chief executive Jim Harland believes there is still no case for a super council in the South, despite Local Government Minister Rodney Hide unveiling plans by which to consider further council mergers.
The one credit card owned by the Waitaki District Council has had $11,126.77 charged to it over the past two years.
Hundreds of invalid election enrolment forms are being returned to Dunedin residents each week because they have been incorrectly filled in.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is juggling logistics issues with its Queenstown council staff spread over seven different buildings.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has reached its goals for reducing costs for infrastructure services in less than half the estimated time, cutting $5.7 million off budgeted costs.
Social media is free, instant, widely used, and a tool local governments can no longer ignore if they want to engage the public and fulfil their responsibility to be accountable, Northland Regional Council community relations general manager Jason Dawson says.
Waitaki ratepayers could pay an extra $70,000 a year to meet new Government requirements aimed at ensuring local bodies' costs, rates and activities are better controlled.
A new pre-local election initiative loosely based on speed-dating has been planned to bring voters and council candidates together.
A new "progressive left" ticket has emerged as the latest group to contest Dunedin's local government elections in October.
The Carisbrook stadium and car park could cost $439,000 a year to maintain after the Dunedin City Council takes over the properties next year.
A low turnout of pre-dawn diners for the annual Mayor's Midwinter Breakfast may mean the future of what has been a successful fundraiser is under threat.
When the Otago Regional Council looked at options for new premises for a second time, all cost-effective possibilities must be explored, councillors concluded at a recent workshop.
Queenstown Lakes District councillors John S. Wilson and Vanessa van Uden say they will contest the mayoral race in October after Clive Geddes announced he would not be seeking a fourth term.
Two more candidates have emerged to challenge for a seat at the Dunedin City Council table, under the umbrella of the Greater Dunedin ticket.
Pete Hodgson, one of Dunedin's longest-serving MPs announced yesterday he will retire from politics at the next election.
Those with an opinion about Dunedin's public art installations will soon have a new project to get their teeth into.
Dunedin city councillor Colin Weatherall said yesterday he hoped to have a dispute between the city's business community and the council over the future of the harbourside fully resolved before the next scheduled date with the Environment Court.
Fears legislation change driven by the Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, will lead to the privatisation of water are behind a planned protest in the Octagon, Dunedin, this week.
Two Wanaka councillors are poised to put their hands up for the mayoralty of the Queenstown Lakes district, should incumbent Clive Geddes choose not to stand for re-election.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes is expected to announce later this month whether he will stand for re-election this year.
