Stories by Harry Lock
News
Wellington City Council to begin talks on establishing Māori ward
Wellington City Council has taken the first step in establishing a Māori ward for the next election. Audio
Wellington bus drivers hail proposed living wage deal
The base rate deal would increase pay for more than 300 drivers, about half of those in Wellington region, to meet the living wage.
Pedestrian, cyclist deaths and injuries disproportionate in Wellington
In Te Whanganui-a-Tara crashes over the past 10 years, cyclists and pedestrians made up nearly a third of all minor injuries, nearly half of all serious injuries, and 38 percent of all deaths.
Industry leaders welcome change in alert levels
Industry leaders have welcomed the decision to move Auckland to alert level 2 and the rest of the country to level one on Sunday at 6am.
Wellington City Council proposes one-off rates increase of 13.5%
Wellington City Council has finalised its budget for the next 10 years, proposing a rates increase next year of 13.53 percent, and plans to slash projects while pumping money into others.
Wellington Airport wants $75m seawall loan from council back on the table
Wellington Airport is seeking an urgent meeting with the councillors after it accused them of making a decision based on the "wrong information".
Wellington City Council votes against privatising central library
Wellington City Council has reversed its previous proposal to partially privatise the central library.
Wellington librarians: 'We're pretty worried'
Wellington librarians are deeply upset and angry with their employer - the city council - after it voted to sell off half the central library, and cut their collections budget by 40 percent.
Auditor-General rejects bid for Wellington City Council probe
Auditor-General John Ryan says it is not generally part of his role to determine if a council has complied with its legal obligations.
Council wants to make sure airport expansion won't undermine transport goals
Public transport links are at the centre of the latest fight over Wellington Airport's $1 billion expansion plan.
Businesses outside Auckland struggling with level 3 lockdown
Auckland businesses are not the only ones struggling, with event organisers and hospitality operators nationwide scrambling to change plans and cover costs.
Peter Winder appointed to lead Wellington coucil review
The man who led the review into the dysfunctional Tauranga City Council before it was taken over by a commissioner has been appointed to lead the review into Wellington's council.
Credibility of proposed Wellington City Council review questioned
A number of Wellington City councillors are worried a review into the council's governance will not be truly independent. Audio
Climate Change Commission blocked by Facebook
The Climate Change Commission has been mis-identified as an Australian news site and has been barred from having any of its content shared on Facebook.
Majority favour more income support for those in need - survey
A survey has found seven out of 10 New Zealanders believe the government should increase income support for those on low wages or not in paid work.
Ancient kauri give clues on critical changes to Earth
Ancient swamp kauri tree rings have shed light on crucial changes to the Earth's atmosphere, which may have led to mass extinction of megafauna and the beginning of cave art.
Greenhouse gas emissions sharply rose after first phase of lockdown
Greenhouse gas emissions rebounded in the three months following last year's lockdown from the end of March to the beginning of June.
Wellington density plans face 'character area' concerns
Wellingtonians are divided over proposals to increase the density of housing in the central city and suburbs.
Upper Hutt City Council revokes restrictive brothel bylaw
The council has overturned a controversial bylaw which placed heavily restrictive controls over the location of brothels.
Wellingtonians torn on proposed rates hike: 'That stuff needs to be done'
Wellingtonians are expecting to feel a pinch in their pockets, after it was revealed the council is looking at introducing a rates rise of up to 17 percent.
Wellington residents could face 17 percent rates increase
Mayor Andy Foster has today revealed a sketch of the council's 2021 Long Term Plan, which will be further discussed by the council next week.
Landlords uneasy over reforms bringing more protection for tenants
Powerful new tenancy regulations which advocates say will shift the balance of power between landlord and tenant take effect today.
Shelly Bay dispute: Police called out as occupation continues
Wellington police say they continue to work with all the parties involved in the land dispute at Shelly Bay.
Landlords getting rid of tenants before new rules set in, advocacy group says
A tenants' advocacy group says renters are increasingly having their tenancies prematurely ended, as landlords make moves before new rules set in.
Airport expansion plans don't make sense, Generation Zero says
An environmental organisation is calling for a halt to Wellington airport's expansion plans.