Politics

Artist's impression of one of the new Interislander rail ferries that will enter service on Cook Strait in 2029. Government names new Cook Strait ferries Kupe and Cook July 20, 2026 The Government has confirmed KiwiRail will operate New Zealand's two new Cook Strait rail ferries, which will be named Kupe and Cook when they enter… ...
Three people stand together outside a wooden building, with two wearing matching patterned outfits and flower head garlands. Wellington finalists announced for 2026 community awards July 19, 2026 Eighty-one Wellington City groups, organisations and community initiatives have been named finalists in the 2026 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. The awards recognise volunteers and… ...
A school lunch in a metal tray covered with thick grey mould. School lunch failures raise concerns for Wellingtonians July 11, 2026 Serious problems with New Zealand’s revamped school lunch programme have raised concerns for Wellington schools and families relying on the scheme. An Auditor-General inquiry found… ...
People walk along Courtenay Place in central Wellington, with shops, businesses and outdoor seating lining the street on a sunny day. Wellington Council backs $40m central city refresh June 19, 2026 Wellington City Council has agreed to spend up to $40 million on central city improvements, including options for Courtenay Place and faster public transport through… ...
Alt text: Promotional poster for author Asher Emanuel's book The Valley, featuring the book cover alongside a portrait of the author and details of a signing event. Author to sign copies of new crime and justice book in Karori June 18, 2026 Readers will have the chance to meet journalist and author Asher Emanuel when he visits Marsden Books in Karori later this month to sign copies… ...
Promotional image for Waenga showing eight cast members against a black background. A young woman wearing a red scarf stands in the foreground holding an identification card, while other characters, including police officers, a lawyer and young adults, look towards the camera. Waenga opens new Wellington arts venue May 31, 2026 A new theatre production exploring power, justice and civic participation will open Wellington City Council's new central-city arts space next month before embarking on a… ...
Aerial view of central Wellington, showing the waterfront, civic buildings, office towers and surrounding hillside. Wellington rates rise falls to 5.8 percent May 27, 2026 Wellington City Council has agreed to progress its draft 2026/27 Annual Plan and budget with a forecast average rates increase of 5.8 percent, down from… ...
Promotional poster for Thai Festival Wellington 2026 celebrating 70 years of friendship between Thailand and New Zealand. The poster features a woman in traditional Thai dress dancing, Muay Thai fighters, Thai food, flowers, and Wellington-inspired graphics. Event details include Saturday 16 May, 10am to 5pm, with free entry. Wellington celebrates 70 years of Thai friendship May 15, 2026 A major Thai cultural festival will bring food, performances and traditional arts to central Wellington on Saturday as Thailand and New Zealand celebrate 70 years… ...
Promotional poster for Wellington’s mayoral flood relief fund, featuring an image of flooding around central city buildings and a call to donate. Flood relief fund launched after Wellington damage May 5, 2026 Wellington City Council has launched a mayoral flood relief fund to support families affected by severe weather that struck the city’s southern suburbs last month.… ...
Adrienne Staples is pictured indoors, wearing glasses and a dark jacket, with a softly blurred background. She is smiling in a professional portrait taken during her time in public office. Councils pay tribute to Adrienne Staples after sudden passing April 28, 2026 Greater Wellington Regional Council and South Wairarapa District Council are mourning the sudden death of councillor Adrienne Staples, a former four-term mayor and current deputy… ...
View over Wellington city and harbour from an elevated vantage point Wellington rates plan opens for consultation April 13, 2026 Wellington City Council will consult the public on its draft 2026/27 Annual Plan from 10 April to 10 May, with a proposed average rates increase… ...
Crowds gather outside Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui during its reopening weekend in central Wellington Wellington turns out for library reopening April 13, 2026 Wellington Central Library has reopened, bringing large crowds back to the city’s main library for the first time since 2019. The central library reopened over… ...
Wellington rates rise trimmed, costs shift elsewhere (April 12, 2026) Wellington City Council has lowered its proposed rates increase to 7.4 percent for 2026–27, but the change comes alongside cost shifts that are likely to… ...
Te Ngākau Civic Square reopens, celebrates heritage, nature (April 12, 2026) Te Ngākau Civic Square will reopen to the public from Saturday 14 March, marking a major milestone in the capital’s civic precinct redevelopment and the… ...
Greater Wellington approves annual plan, including rates rise (March 31, 2026) Greater Wellington councillors have approved a proposed 2026/27 Annual Plan with a 9.7 percent average rates increase, as the council looks to balance essential services… ...
Porirua Trash Cash Cow – Coming to an End (February 19, 2026) Porirua’s Spicer landfill, which currently generates about $4 million a year to offset rates, is likely to close in 2030, ending what has effectively been… ...
Half of Porirua recycling sent to landfill (February 19, 2026) Half of Porirua’s kerbside recycling collected in 2024 was ultimately buried, including most of the city’s glass, a new council report shows. A 19 February… ...
Porirua council rejects plan to scrap regional councillors (February 19, 2026) Porirua City Council has formally opposed the Government’s proposal to remove regional councillors and replace them with a Combined Territories Board made up of mayors.… ...
Rates Cap Fails Cost of Living (January 18, 2026) By Porirua City councillor, Geoff Hayward To the Prime Minister, the Right Hon Christopher Luxon MP. I’m writing this plainly, because plain language matters when… ...
One Rates Bill Becomes Two for Porirua Households (December 16, 2025) Porirua households will receive separate council and water bills from July 2026, ending the long-standing practice of a single annual rates invoice. The change follows… ...
Porirua City Council 2025–28 sworn in at Pātaka (November 28, 2025) Porirua’s new council term officially began with a swearing-in ceremony at Pātaka on 25 November, bringing together fresh faces and returning members for the 2025… ...
New Porirua Council Sworn In, Leadership Team Confirmed for Term (November 25, 2025) Porirua’s newly elected City Council has officially begun its term, with Mayor Anita Baker reaffirming her leadership team and unveiling a refreshed committee structure at… ...
Edmonds to contest new Kenepuru seat in 2026 (November 24, 2025) Labour MP Barbara Edmonds has confirmed she will stand in the new Kenepuru electorate at the 2026 general election, as boundary changes reshape the political… ...
Labour selects Sophie Handford for new Kāpiti–Porirua North electorate in 2026 election (November 20, 2025) Labour has chosen former Kāpiti Coast District Councillor Sophie Handford as its candidate for the new Kāpiti electorate in the 2026 general election. The electorate,… ...
Getting Sh*t Done for Porirua (November 9, 2025) Column by Councillor, Geoff Hayward This week, councillors-elect met with our senior staff to talk about the next three years: what we want to see,… ...
Column From Mayor Anita Baker: Thank You, Porirua (November 1, 2025) Column by Porirua Mayor, Anita Baker With the election period concluded and after the result of special votes I want to express my deep gratitude… ...
Claims of Mismanagement Spark Governance Row at Porirua Multicultural Council (October 30, 2025) Concerns over transparency, financial accountability, and leadership integrity have been raised by a former vice-president of the Porirua Multicultural Council (PMC), prompting a public response… ...
Recount request delays Porirua City Council’s first meeting (October 29, 2025) Porirua’s newly elected council has delayed its first official meeting while a court considers a recount application for the Māori ward vote. The inaugural meeting,… ...
Porirua foots the bill for Wellington Water failures (October 3, 2025) Two former Kapiti Coast District Council chief executives now in top roles at Wellington Water are under fire as a $37 million technology overhaul exposes… ...
From the Sidelines to the Council Chamber: Reflections from the Mayor of Porirua (June 30, 2025) Column by Anita Baker, Mayor of Porirua City. Recently, I was asked to give a talk to a group of secondary school students about how… ...
The Goalposts Keep Moving (June 30, 2025) Column by Greater Wellington Regional Chair, Daran Ponter. The Government’s proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) is the most widespread alteration of how we manage… ...
How to Run for Council in Porirua’s 2025 Election (June 29, 2025) Porirua’s local elections are approaching, and for those considering a run for office, now is the time to step forward. Nominations open on Friday, 4… ...