Report urges re-consideration of Nelson-Tasman councils merger

Caption:Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor, Minister for the South Island James Meager and Nelson mayor Nick Smith at a strategy meeting held in Nelson.Photo credit:RNZ / Samantha GeeFormer Tasman District Council chief executive Janine Dowding wrote the “think-piece” for the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, about what having one council could mean for the region.RNZ / Tracy NealRNZ / Tracy NealTasman Mayor Tim King.RNZ / Samantha Gee

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said the council has “stuck to its knitting” despite a 17.5 percent rates increase. Photo: RNZ/Dom Thomas. [via LDR single use only]

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown in Wellington.

Invercargill would form part of an amalgamation under Southland Mayor Rob Scott’s vision.

Mackenzie District Council, Fairlie, South Canterbury.

A video has been circulating social media of the marked Police car driving while what appears to be a FIFA played on a screen.

Post Primary Teachers Association acting president Chris Abercrombie.

Qiulae Wong is the new leader of a refreshed Opportunity party, formerly The Opportunities Party led by Gareth Morgan.

People jump in the Trocadero Fountain near the Eiffel Tower during a heatwave in Paris on June 22, 2026. The latest bout of exceptionally high temperatures to hit Europe has seen outdoor events cancelled, transport disrupted, schools shut and office workers told to work from home, as the authorities issued health alerts to protect the elderly and vulnerable. In France, the epicentre of the weather anomaly, 54 of the country’s 96 mainland departments were on the highest heat alert, with temperatures forecast to climb up to 43C in the southwestern city of Bordeaux and 39C in the capital Paris, said national weather service Meteo-France. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)