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Politics – Federated Farmers propose major shake-up of local government

Source: Federated Farmers

New Zealand’s local government structure has become an increasingly messy patchwork, and Federated Farmers says it’s time to clean it up.
“The way councils are currently organised is a major factor in how effectively they serve their communities,” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says.
“The number and type of councils – and the logic behind their boundaries – can really make or break their ability to deliver quality services at a reasonable cost.
“With dedicated water organisations being formed because of three waters reform, things are even more complicated and messy and the structure is failing ratepayers.
“We think the time is ripe to streamline and modernise the sector.”
Federated Farmers has just laid out its blueprint for local government reform in a white paper.
“Preserving a strong local say on council matters while driving better efficiency is at the heart of our proposal.
“Our model will likely also halve the current number of councils.”
Late last year the Government proposed abolishing the country’s 11 regional councils.
Mayors would take over the work of regional councillors and be tasked with putting together reorganisation plans in each region.
Federated Farmers, which has a long history of engaging with councils on rates, infrastructure investment and district plan red tape, stepped up with a simpler and less disruptive way forward, Faulkner says.
“City and provincial areas have different priorities, infrastructure and land use.
“We’re saying the most effective way to streamline local government is by separating provincial governance from governance of urban areas with populations of around 50,000-plus.”
The country already has six unitary authorities, which perform the functions of both district or city and regional councils.
“We’d like to see that model expanded across New Zealand,” Faulkner says.
Under Federated Farmers’ proposal, councils would take on responsibilities currently held by regional councils, which would no longer exist as separate entities.
Many district councils would amalgamate but to maintain strong local input, a second tier of properly empowered community boards and catchment committees could help bring decision-making closer to residents and draw on local knowledge.
“Councils consolidated along regional and city lines would be better able to focus on local, place-based decisions.
“It would also simplify relationships with central government on issues like roading, public transport, environmental management, and emergency management.”
Attracting and retaining high-quality elected councillors and paid council staff can be challenging under current settings, especially for smaller councils.
“We think the increased scale and clearer core responsibilities with our model could help tackle this.”
Faulkner says environmental and natural hazard workloads benefit from scale, with unitary authorities better able to plan and deliver flood management, drainage, and environmental infrastructure more consistently.
“Exposure to climate-driven extreme weather highlights the fragility of the current system,” she says.
The provincial/city-separated unitary council structure also makes sense in terms of geography, predominant land use, and the types of services residents and businesses want.
“It fits well with the ‘communities of interest’ concept that drives Local Government Commission (LGC) reorganisation decisions.
“Instead of substantial upheaval, re-writing legislation, and mayors taking over regional council responsibilities during a lengthy transition, our approach fits with the LGC’s existing way of managing and investigating amalgamations,” Faulkner says.
“During that tried and tested process, issues such as the service relationships between metropolitan and provincial councils, treatment of debt and assets, and crossover matters can be addressed.”
Fewer, more logically aligned councils would also make government co-funding arrangements for roads, bridges, public transport and urban growth simpler, with lower compliance costs.
City and regional deals with central government could be easily negotiated.
With new water organisations taking over storm, drinking and wastewater services, many district councils are left with local roads as their only major infrastructure task.
“That’s risky. Councils will have fewer cost centres to allocate overheads, and balance sheet downsizing as water assets are taken out may cause other disruptions,” Faulkner says.
“There’s a clear case for consolidation to achieve economies of scale and prevent local roads from deteriorating.”
Federated Farmers’ white paper also suggests shifting compliance and enforcement, and state-of-the-environment monitoring, from councils to government or centralised science and regulatory agencies.
“That would ensure consistency, objectivity and efficiency,” Faulkner says.
“Regulatory enforcement should not be political once policy is set.
“Its role is to enforce the rules and standards fairly, consistently and predictably.”
While the debate may unsettle current councils, Faulkner is struck by the broad agreement that reorganisation is now essential.  
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Fire Safety – Restricted fire season for Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone into a restricted fire season at 8am today, Wednesday 25 March, until further notice.
Levin, Foxton, Sanson and Bulls are excluded as they fall within inland zones.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and Emergency to light an open-air fire.
Announcing the change, Acting Community Risk Manager Barry Madgwick says the coastal zone has been subject to a long dry spell in recent months.
“These conditions mean the fire risk is increased,” he says.
“The coastal zone has forestry plantations, scrub, pasture grassland, tussock and marram grasses – all of which are fuel for serious fires. We are now starting to see an increasing number of fires getting out of control, which can happen at this time of year.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns.”
“We are asking the public to take extra care during these conditions.
“The rest of the Manawatū-Whanganui district is also dry and further restrictions may follow if the current conditions continue,” Barry Madgwick says.
The public can apply for a permit at www.checkitsalright.nz
For fire safety tips and more information about the activities you can and can’t do in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz.
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Southland leads regional GDP increase in year to March 2025 – Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

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Property Market – NZ property market stabilising as more suburbs record price gains – Cotality

Source: Cotality

Property values in more than half of New Zealand suburbs have stabilised or risen in the past three months, suggesting the country’s housing market is gradually finding its footing after several subdued years.

The latest update of Cotality’s Mapping the Market interactive tool, which provides suburb-level property insights across the country, shows 56% of suburbs recorded either stable or rising standalone house values over the three months to March. That is up from 44% three months earlier, indicating a modest strengthening in market conditions.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the figures show the national market may appear subdued on the surface, noting results were more nuanced as more suburbs stabilised or recorded modest gains.

“At a high level, the NZ property market has been trending sideways in recent months,” he said.

“Sales activity has been lifting for some time now, but elevated listings are still keeping pricing power largely with buyers, which is why overall value growth has remained fairly subdued.”

“But suburb-level figures show that the cautious attitude does not apply everywhere.”

Rural regions showing resilience

Some of the strongest value gains have emerged in regional areas with 30 suburbs recording house value growth of at least 3%, with many located in Southland, Otago and the West Coast.

Among the strongest performers were Karitane in Dunedin and Blackball in Grey District, which each saw house values rise by more than 6%, while Mataura in Gore recorded growth of more than 4%.

Mr Davidson said relatively better affordability and the strength of the farming sector at a regional level had likely supported housing demand in those regions.

“Some of the more affordable regional markets linked to strong rural economies have been holding up well,” he said.

“That combination of lower price points and stable local economic conditions can provide a bit more resilience when the broader market is subdued.”

Patchy results across cities
While some regional areas have shown resilience, conditions in some other markets remain mixed.

Suburbs such as Crofton Downs and Kelburn in Wellington recorded house value growth of 3 – 4% in the March quarter, while Stillwater in Auckland and Aranui in Christchurch both rose by almost 2%.

However, declines were also recorded elsewhere across the country. For example, Little Wanganui in Buller fell by around 6%, while Wellsford in Auckland’s Rodney district dropped by almost 3.5%.

Mr Davidson said the suburb-level data highlights the uneven nature of the housing market at present.

“When you drill down to suburb-level data, conditions become much more varied. Some areas are already seeing values stabilise or edge higher, while others remain softer depending on local economic conditions, supply levels and affordability,” he said.

Townhouse markets remain softer

For townhouses and flats, 53% of suburbs recorded stable or rising values over the three months to March, indicating slightly weaker conditions than the standalone housing market.

A total of 45 suburbs recorded townhouse value increases of at least 3%, with 10 suburbs rising by 5% or more, including Tauranga South, Belleknowes in Dunedin, and Oamaru.

However, several areas also recorded declines, including Wesley and Goodwood Heights in Auckland, which both saw values fall by more than 3%.

Mr Davidson said the pipeline of new housing supply is still putting some downward pressure on prices in certain areas, such as Auckland, where there’s been a significant pipeline of fresh townhouses completed.

Wide price differences across NZ suburbs

Among standalone houses, Herne Bay in Auckland remains the country’s most expensive suburb, with a median house value of around $2.99 million, followed by Saint Marys Bay at $2.86 million.

At the other end of the spectrum, several suburbs have median house values below $300,000, including Patea in South Taranaki, Blackball in Grey District, and Clinton in Clutha.

Mr Davidson said Mapping the Market helps reveal the diversity of housing markets across the country.

“The suburb-level data highlights just how different local housing markets can be,” he said.

“Even within the same region, property values and trends can vary quite significantly depending on local supply, demand and economic conditions.”

Outlook points to modest growth

Mr Davidson said NZ’s housing market is positioned for modest value growth through 2026, adding that the General Election, debt-to-income lending restrictions and global economic risks would remain important factors to watch.

“Affordability has improved compared with the peak of the market, mortgage rates have stabilised and listings appear to be easing slightly,” he said.

“Those factors should support some gradual value growth this year, but buyers and sellers remain cautious, so the prospect of a boom looks unlikely.”

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Legislation – Rally Against the Health & Safety at Work Amendment Bill – PSA

Source: PSA

Pike River family members Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse will join other speakers at a rally opposing the Government’s proposed changes to health and safety laws being held at Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 25 March).
The two campaigners will join workers who are opposed to the Bill at the rally, after they have submitted to the select committee.
“The presence of Anna and Sonya will be a poignant reminder that everyone deserves to come home from work safely,” says Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Duane Leo, who is also speaking at the rally after making a submission to the select committee.
The rally is being organised by the PSA on behalf of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and affiliated unions.
“The Government is pushing a bill that will water down employers’ obligations, put workers at risk push the burden of workplace injuries onto workers, their whānau, ACC and the health system,” Leo says.
“The Bill would give employers with 20 or fewer workers huge exemptions to their health and safety responsibilities.
“Smaller employers wouldn’t have to protect their workers from things like trips and falls, exposure to infection, bullying, and workplace stress.
“The bill would also allow industries to develop their own health and safety codes of practice that could reduce employers’ health and safety obligations.
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President, who is speaking at the rally Sandra Grey says: “We want worker health and safety to be a priority in businesses of all sizes and we are particularly concerned that this legislation gives smaller businesses a free pass.”
Speakers
As well as Sonya, Anna, Duane and Sandra the rally will be addressed by opposition MPs.
Visual elements
The rally will feature a large yellow “Accidents Ahead” banner:
Details
When 1pm-1.50pm, Wednesday 25 March
Where: Parliament Lawn.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health and community groups.
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Te Awa Lakes welcomes IFF funding to unlock 1500-house development in Hamilton

Spurce: Te Awa Lakes

Te Awa Lakes has welcomed Government’s use of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (IFF) to unlock 1500 houses in northern Hamilton’s largest greenfield development.

The IFF transaction, facilitated by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFF), will provide $50 million of funding toward delivery of bulk infrastructure such as upgrade of roads, stormwater lake and outlets and other key bulk infrastructure to be delivered by the developer.

This funding is one of the first of its kind to support unlocking greenfield developments for housing, and is in line with the Government’s 3 pillars of “Going for Housing Growth.”

Te Awa Lakes is a fully master planned development that falls within the Future Proof Strategy Northwest Priority Development Area of the high-growth urban area of Hamilton. With an average annual population growth of 2%, demand for new dwellings and amenities is projected to increase by around 56% out to 2050, equating to a demand for an estimated 61,285 dwellings across the sub region.

Richard Coventry, Managing Partner of the Te Awa Lakes JV says, “The IFF funding tool is a game changer for Te Awa Lakes and the northern growth node of the region, as without this tool the infrastructure delivery would be fully reliant on direct developer funding, which is too slow and cannot keep pace with the demand for the region.

“We fully anticipate that this funding tool will not only accelerate the construction of housing for early stages of Te Awa Lakes, but it will also unlock other developable land in the northern node and gateway of the region.”

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Politics – Workers will never forget van Velden’s damaging legacy – PSA

Source: PSA
Workers feel no joy in Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden resigning from Parliament at this year’s election – her tenure marks the end of one of the most destructive tenures in the history of New Zealand workplace relations.
“It is hard to think of an individual who has done more damage to workers in the modern era,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“She destroyed pay equity, stripped away freedom from unfair dismissal, and exploited the vulnerability of contractors including Uber drivers. She handed employers more power than they had ever hoped for – and that harm will be felt for years to come by women denied the pay they deserve, workers dismissed without remedy, and contractors left without protection.
“Today she had the gall to say she was ‘proud’ of all the decisions she made in government. How out of touch with the lived reality of the workers' lives she damaged is that? They are less secure and many will earn less because of her decisions.
“This is a Minister who delivered to ACT’s business mates, but her relentless attack on workers’ rights did not happen alone. National and New Zealand First were right there, alongside ACT enabling every one of the attacks.
“These were not accidents or oversights – they were deliberate choices that make the lives of New Zealand workers worse every single day.
“The Coalition Government is still pursuing cuts to sick leave, annual leave and health and safety protections in the workplace. Van Velden is still the Minister till election day so the fight is not over.
“At this year’s election, on 7 November, this Government’s record on workers will be front and centre – specifically how National, NZ First and ACT, have enabled the biggest attack on workers and their families in a generation.
“The damage is real, it is ongoing, and we will be asking voters to kick them out. That would be a fitting parting gift from workers to Brooke van Velden.”
ENDS
Van Velden’s legacy
  • Cancelled pay equity for more than 150,000 women workers
  • Made it harder to bring pay equity claims in future
  • Axed Fair Pay Agreements
  • Reinstated 90-day fire at will trials
  • Made it easier to fire workers at will by weakening personal grievance rules
  • Suppressed minimum wage increases
  • Appointed more business aligned members to the Employment Relations Authority
  • Delivered employer contracts for Uber
  • Proposing to cut back sick leave and annual leave for part-time workers
  • Proposing to make workplaces less safe.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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New first response unit in Benneydale to boost emergency care

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

A new first response unit in Benneydale will enhance emergency medical response for the local community and surrounding area, providing faster treatment in critical situations and protecting more lives.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteer firefighters in Benneydale, 35 kilometres southeast of Te Kuiti, have been trained as first responders and will be dispatched to serious and life-threatening medical emergencies, working alongside the Hato Hone St John ambulance network.
While Hato Hone St John is the lead agency for all medical calls, the collaboration with Fire and Emergency will strengthen emergency response in rural and remote areas around Benneydale, where immediate care can make a crucial difference.
Fire and Emergency’s Waikato Assistant District Commander David Brown says eight volunteers in the Benneydale Volunteer Fire Brigade have just completed the Hato Hone St John first responder training.
“Because Benneydale is a volunteer fire brigade, our firefighters are usually the closest emergency service and first on the scene of any incident in the surrounding rural communities,” David Brown says.
“Benneydale now joins over 60 Fire and Emergency first response units across New Zealand as part of our Memorandum of Understanding with Hato Hone St John to respond to life-threatening medical emergencies.
“The training equips our people with essential patient assessment and treatment skills. They will now carry a first response kit, including an automated external defibrillator (AED), to provide immediate care while Hato Hone St John resources are enroute.”
Rob Chisholm, Hato Hone St John Group Operations Manager – Waitomo and King Country, is thankful to Fire and Emergency for establishing the first response capabilities in Benneydale.
“Our ambulance crews responding from the wider area can take comfort in knowing they have the support of trained first responders who can provide immediate care before they arrive.
“In serious medical emergencies, every minute counts, and having local first responders available greatly benefits patient outcomes and response times,” Rob Chisholm says.
It is important to note that the public should continue to call 111 and request an ambulance in a medical emergency.
Note: Establishing Fire and Emergency first response units is a vital part of HHStJ and Fire and Emergency’s Memorandum of Understanding, in which HHStJ is the lead agency for all medical calls.
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Conflict – Israeli forces using Gaza playbook in Lebanon, decimating water infrastructure – Oxfam

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

Oxfam fears that Israel’s military blueprint of attacking water infrastructure, used throughout its genocide in Gaza, is now being rolled out across parts of Lebanon.
Israeli forces are destroying water and sanitation infrastructure including strikes near sites that were being rehabilitated after having been destroyed or damaged in the last war, Oxfam analysis has found.
The Geneva conventions prohibit attacks on water installations and other objects that are critical for people to survive. Using deprivation of water as a method of warfare is outlawed. Any intentional deprivation of water or obstruction of aid may constitute a war crime.
In a span of four days in the first weeks of the latest escalation, Israel damaged at least seven critical water sources including reservoirs, pipe networks and pumping stations that supplied water to almost 7,000 people in the Bekaa area alone.
In Southern Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes after Israel’s blanket mass forced displacement orders, Oxfam and partners are responsible for carrying out rehabilitation work at 19 important water facilities that provide clean water for up to 60,000 people. Six were damaged by Israeli bombardment in last year’s escalation. There have been confirmed strikes in many of the areas where these facilities are located.
Due to the intensity of the attacks in these areas, Oxfam teams cannot now safely access these sites to assess whether they too are now destroyed or damaged or ensure they are functioning properly so that people remaining in the villages have water. Long term impacts will also be devastating for communities if they don’t have clean water when they are able to return home.
The destruction of civilian infrastructure has not been limited to critical water facilities. Israel has also destroyed electricity networks and bridges, cutting off vital supplies and services for entire towns and villages.
Bachir Ayoub, Oxfam Lebanon Country Director, said: “It’s clear that the Israeli Forces are repeating the same pattern in Lebanon as they did in Gaza. Attacking civilians, critical civilian infrastructure, emergency services personnel – including 12 medics killed in a single strike – and aid workers. Aiming to maximize disruption and fear among the population, while ignoring international law.”
Carlos Calderon, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Head of Humanitarian and Partnerships said: “Water is a lifeline, not a military target. Turning critical water infrastructure into a weapon of war disproportionately affects civilians fleeing for their lives. No family should be forced abandon their homes or have their basic lifelines cut off.”
Ayoub continues: “The impunity Israel enjoyed in Gaza as it committed water war crimes is again on full display. The world has shown Israel can do what it wants, whenever it wants, without repercussion and again it is civilians who are paying the ultimate price for this inaction.”
During the 2024 escalation, Israel damaged more than 45 water networks in Lebanon, impacting almost half a million people, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and contributing to the loss of livelihoods and green areas. Given the ongoing lack of accountability that has allowed Israel to consistently violate international law across the region, Oxfam is concerned these renewed attacks will see a sharp rise in the destruction of civilian infrastructure that is already occurring.
Despite the scale of destruction and mounting evidence of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, Oxfam says the international community remains complicit in its silence and, in many cases, support to Israel as it continues to occupy and invade parts of Lebanon.
“There must be an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and end to this war” said Ayoub. “The international community stood by in Gaza and watched Israel’s weaponization of water and its catastrophic consequences to men, women and children there. The same devastation must not be allowed to play out again in Lebanon. Israel must be held to account for its violations and must not be allowed to occupy more land, deny more civilians of their basic rights, and continue to abuse international law without consequence.”
Calderon concludes: “Our team is on the ground to provide water, this most essential human right, and we need your help to keep that lifeline open.”
Notes:
In the Policy Brief Water Under Fire: Supporting Lebanon’s Water Services Amid Escalating Conflict Oxfam reached out to water establishments across three highly impacted regions in Lebanon after Israeli attacks.
In July 2024 Oxfam released the report Water War Crimes: How Israel has weaponised water in its military campaign in Gazapresenting a detailed analysis of how the Government of Israel systematically weaponized water against the Palestinians in its latest assault on Gaza.
Before the latest escalation, Oxfam was rehabilitating eight water pumping systems in Mansouri, Nmairiyyeh, Srifa, Zaita, Ankoun, Allousiyyeh, Kfardounin, Jbal Al Botom; three water networks in Tyre, Kherbit Silm, Khiam; four reservoirs in Ater, Toura and Zebkin; and four water filtration systems in Mais Eljabal, Bintjbeil, Kfartebnit, and Deir Knaoun Nahr.
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Social Issues – Where is the support for benefit-dependent households? – CPAG

Source: Child Poverty Action Group

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is calling for an increase to the Winter Energy Payment (WEP) to help offset the current surge in an already desperate cost of living crisis for families living on core benefits.
Minister Nicola Willis announced today that from April, 143,000 low-to-middle income families with working parents will receive $50 per week through the In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC).
CPAG spokesperson Isaac Gunson says while today’s announcement will alleviate some pressure in working families, there’s nothing for families relying on core benefits.
“Energy crises affect benefit-dependent families too. Where is their support?”
“Close to a quarter of a million children live in households receiving a core benefit. The idea that no additional support will be made available to that many tamariki is outrageous.”
“Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis stood before the New Zealand public today and pointed to the automatic 3.1% inflation adjustment to core benefits on April 1 as the support they’re offering to benefit-dependent households. In the last three weeks, the cost of 91 petrol alone has climbed nearly 40%, and diesel by more than 80%.”
“Our Income Floor research clearly shows many of those incomes are already woefully inadequate to cover even the bare essentials, in a year where the cost of those essentials, like electricity, meat and poultry, and dairy products, rose faster than inflation.”
Programmes like the Winter Energy Payment (WEP), first announced in December 2017 and introduced the subsequent winter, made statistically significant reductions to two financial hardship measures during winter months, in households with working age recipients of a core benefit.
It is here CPAG believes support should be targeted.
Since it’s introduction in 2018, there has been no increase in the WEP rate, held at $20.46/week ($450.12 total) for single parents with no children and $31.82/week ($700.04 total) for couples and people with children.
Between December 2018 (after the first year’s payment concluded) and December 2025, household energy costs have increased 30%.
During the same period at the gas pump, 95, 91, and diesel have increased 31.3%, 31.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. (Source: Household Energy from SNZ CPI & Petrol from FigureNZ's visualisation of MBIE data)
“CPAG is calling on the Government to increase the WEP by 30% in time for the coming winter. It’s an approach that aligns with the Government’s move to use already-established systems to support low-income families, but which also recognises the pain being felt in households receiving core benefits.”
This would lift the total WEP payment to $585.16 or $26.60/week for singles, and $910.52 or $41.37/week for couples or people with children.
We’d also ask the Government to consider extending the period of this year’s WEP to 26 weeks, starting in April, bringing the total WEP to $691.60 total for singles, or $1,075.62 total for couples or people with children.
“To shield New Zealand’s most vulnerable from the ripple effects of rising fuel costs, the Government should make its response a two-pronged approach: temporarily increase work-related tax credits and provide unconditional cash support to people on benefits through the WEP.”