Infrastructure
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 22 April
On today's episode we hear from Labour's Rachel Brooking, after her party have criticised the Government over their fast track approval bill, the minister responsible for Resource Management Reform… Audio
Owners of earthquake-prone buildings given more time to strengthen them
Owners of earthquake-prone buildings will now have a four year extension on the requirement to strengthen or demolish. Audio
Temporary fix for Lawrence water supply on track, council says
Clutha District Council says it is on target to temporarily fix a town's water supply before it is expected to run out.
$10b transport plan gets tick from Canterbury mayors
The plan includes the proposed Woodend Bypass and a second Ashburton bridge as key projects.
Are rugby stadiums really worth it?
Opinion - Large stadiums are sold as an economic boon, but the reality is they tend to require significant investment, Robert Hamlin writes.
Aotea Great Barrier Island aims for zero waste
You won't find any single use coffee cups or public rubbish bins on Aotea these days, and a community recycling centre has been set up to reduce and reuse as much waste as possible. Checkpoint's Luka… Audio
Invercargill down to just one parking warden
A councillor says delivery drivers are openly flouting parking rules in the absence of anyone to police them.
Relief as Waimea dam completed just in time
The long-awaited Waimea Community Dam may be two years late and over budget, but its shareholders say it's been completed just in time.
Town may only have a few weeks' water left
The town's water supply may only have four to six weeks' capacity left with concerns about the remaining quality.
New Wellington tunnel: 'An astonishing misunderstanding of transport priorities'
A new underground mega-tunnel in the capital would be a colossal waste of money, opponents of the government's suggestion for the tunnel say.
The brand new hospital that has no budget to operate
The lights are on, the beds are ready, but no patients have stepped inside a brand new $320 million surgical hospital built on Auckland's North Shore. Audio
Temporary fix for sagging rail bridge expected to take several days
Freight crossings on the Rangitata rail bridge will be paused for another few days while repairs are carried out.
Freight services suspended after flood waters damage major rail bridge
High flood waters washed away one of the 34 piers on the 610-metre long rail bridge over the Rangitata River on Friday morning.
SH 6 near Franz Josef set to reopen
Franz Josef has been cut off after heavy rain brought down trees and slips along SH 6, it's set to reopen to the north Friday afternoon - but further south, the crucial road link could be closed for… Audio
Aucklanders face possible 25% increase in water rates
Auckland's water provider chair says she knows struggling residents won't welcome the prospect.
Which projects could the fast track bill resurrect?
There is consensus among advocates on which projects are most likely to try their hand at a path of lesser resistance.
The water tank programme that's changing lives
The iwi-led drought relief programme is also training workers along the way. Audio
Executive power - it's not how MMP was meant to work
Analysis - Thirty years ago, frustrated with the arrogance of successive governments, New Zealanders changed the electoral rules, Richard Shaw writes.
Auckland: The air's fresh but infrastructure, graduate exodus among failings
Alongside happiness and air quality, a new report also investigated how friendly Auckland was towards start-ups and entrepreneurs. Audio
Builders keen on RMA change to push papakāinga housing
The coalition government agreement suggests removing the need for consent for dwellings less than 60 square metres.