Stories by Emily Ireland

All three of South Wairarapa's urban wastewater treatment plants are non-compliant, documents from Wellington Water show.

Shortlisted options for Featherston's long-term wastewater treatment range from $30 million to $215m, a recent Wellington Water report states.

The next step in the consultation process for Masterton's proposed $30 million civic facility is on its way.

Inflation is likely to drive up the costs of Masterton District Council's civic facility project, which had a budget of $30.8 million early last year.

With inflation driving up council rates increases around the country, South Wairarapa residents are keen to know what their next rates rise will be.

Masterton District Council has put tenders out for four key roles in its $30 million civic facility project.

Carterton District Council says it would charge $60 per half hour to answer requests in excess of one hour.

South Wairarapa mayor Alex Beijen says the government's consultation and engagement with local iwi regarding three waters reforms has been "severely lacking".

A working group, comprising of local government leaders, presented their three waters reforms recommendations to the government this week.

Featherston and Greytown have an extra two days of water supply, thanks to the recent commissioning of the Waiohone Treated Water Reservoir.

Masterton councillors have unanimously voted to ditch efforts to buy a piece of land from Masterton Trust Lands Trust for its $31 million civic facility.

The South Wairarapa Council is looking at plans to scrap vaccine mandates in their community, as a local board member was arrested at Wellington protests.

Masterton District Council has voted to join a group opposing the government's Three Waters Reforms.

Wairarapa's three councils have mandated vaccination for "high-risk" roles, using the WorkSafe risk assessment framework for consistency.

The Chief Ombudsman is formally investigating Masterton District Council's civic centre process, it has been revealed.

Masterton residents have expressed concern about whether it is safe to use the southbound Colombo Bridge in its current condition.

A "mind-boggling" 80 percent of Featherston's treated water was lost in the network in October last year, a council report shows.

South Wairarapa District Council is looking at building its new dog pound at Featherston's old golf course, killing two birds with one stone.

Masterton District Council was spotted using an unattended watering system on public gardens, despite strict water restrictions being enforced throughout the district.

Two district councils have smashed records for the number of new residential building consents issued for Wairarapa last year.

The pipe supplying drinking water to the South Wairarapa town lies exposed and leaking in a riverbed.

Water tanks that will hold an additional 4 million litres are due for delivery in Carterton mid-February.

A Masterton councillor asked a fellow elected member to watch their tone of voice as tensions rose in civic centre talks on Wednesday.

'Rude' emails and different interpretations of 'good governance' are at the centre of a stoush over a piece of council-owned land in Greytown.

A council chief executive and a councillor have been caught making derogatory comments about a community board chairwoman in an email exchange one of them later forwarded to her.