Roads Stories

Kiwi Stories

Roads stories

Pipes or paperwork? Mayor says councils burdened by rising audit fees

Waimakariri ratepayers could face nearly $500,000 in annual audit costs, as the mayor says the money is being diverted from core services.

By David Hill • 4 min read • 3 days ago

Airports

Fulton Hogan opens new asphalt plant in Wellington

Capacity constraints in Wellington should ease as a 200-tonne-an-hour plant boosts asphalt supply for roads, ports and airports.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Urban Planning

Road envy: Resident questions council call over resealing

Residents question why Whakatāne Council resurfaced one street with asphalt after saying the treatment was too costly for most roads.

By Diane McCarthy • 3 min read • Last month

Local Government

Government road funding cuts will cost Tararua nearly $1.3M

Ratepayers face an extra NZD $1.286 million bill over three years unless Tararua's road funding cut is reversed.

By Rebecca Hogan • 3 min read • Last month

Taxation

'Defensible but unpalatable': Road rate aims to put repair costs on higher users

Forestry and dairy operators could face steep bills under a Carterton council plan to shift more roading repair costs onto heavy users.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026

National Party

Rates cap will put squeeze on community groups, facilities - Marlborough deputy mayor

Funding for sports facilities and community grants could be cut as Marlborough council tries to stay within a 4% rates cap.

By Kira Carrington • 4 min read • Wed, 26th Aug 2026

Radio New Zealand

West Coast suffering from transport funding squeeze - leaders

Funding shortfalls could force West Coast councils to revert roads to gravel, leaders warn, as tourism and freight access come under pressure.

By Vihan Dalal • 4 min read • Thu, 20th Aug 2026

Productivity

Local government reform's toughest phase still ahead, council boss says

Ratepayers may see little immediate savings as councils enter the harder stage of redesigning merged authorities and ward representation.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Thu, 20th Aug 2026

Local Government

'Highway robbery': South Island leaders demand fairer transport funding

South Island councils say the region gets too little of New Zealand's transport budget, despite generating a quarter of the population and a third of exports.

By David Hill • 5 min read • Fri, 14th Aug 2026

Housing

Civil Contractors New Zealand conference heads to Wellington

With more than 600 delegates expected, the event will put transport, procurement and pipeline concerns in front of election-year politicians.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 10th Aug 2026

Broadband

New Zealand monetises Chorus debt for NZD $702m gain

The Crown will free up NZD $702 million for roads, hospitals and classrooms by cashing in Chorus loans earlier than planned.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 10th Aug 2026

Real estate

New Zealand widens levy funding for infrastructure

More housing and transport projects can now tap private finance as Parliament broadens levy-backed funding to ease council borrowing pressure.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Tue, 28th Jul 2026

Local Government

Infrastructure New Zealand says spending too costly

Poor value from public works is pushing up costs for taxpayers and households as political interference and weak planning bite, the body says.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 20th Jul 2026

Sustainability

Paving Hawaiian roads with recycled plastics and abandoned fishing nets

Hawaii is testing whether roadbuilding can reduce landfill pressure by turning marine debris and household plastic into asphalt without extra shedding.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Sat, 28th Mar 2026