Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) held an Emergency Council Meeting today to consider the acquisition of a parcel of land at Wānaka Airport.

After due consideration Councillors voted not to proceed with the acquisition.

Rototuna and surrounding areas are using much more water than other areas in the city per capita, the latest data shows.

To increase Māori representation among its workforce MidCentral District Health Board has released its inaugural Māori Scholarship programme to current students and kaimahi working or seeking to work in health across the MidCentral region.

The Salvation Army is asking for donations to support its humanitarian and recovery efforts in Tonga following the severe volcanic eruption and tsunami on 15 January.

Gisborne District Council has appointed two new board members to Gisborne Holdings Limited (GHL), its commercial business arm.

John Rae and councillor Josh Wharehinga have been appointed to the board on shorter terms of 12 months due to this year’s section 17a service review.

Last October, Free to Be Church, a group of NZ Church leaders, announced that they would be challenging the NZ government in the courts regarding religious freedom and COVID restrictions.

Council’s summer student programme has again resulted in huge rewards for the region.

A total of 19 students were employed this summer to provide them with opportunities to gain and share valuable knowledge whilst contributing to our region and building their careers.

Lateral channel markers in Whitianga and Tairua harbours have been repositioned after they were impacted by strong and unusual currents created by the weekend’s Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption.

A new on-demand public transport system trialled over the weekend by Waikato Regional Council has had positive feedback from passengers.

The Department of Conservation, local Iwi, Federated Mountain Clubs and Back Country Trust are in discussions to explore opportunities for a potential rebuild of the popular Lake Dive Hut in Egmont National Park.