Council leaves anti-three waters reform group over its 'emotional' reactions
In February, almost all of Queenstown's district councillors were keen to join anti-Three Waters reform group. Two months later, almost all are keen to leave.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is the latest to leave the group, with councillors citing concerns for their ongoing relationship with iwi and the group’s strategy as reasons for changing their minds.
Deputy mayor Calum MacLeod voted in favour of joining Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD) in February, but at Thursday’s full council meeting and to Stuff on Friday, he said he had since seen “multiple red flags”.
He did not agree with the group’s reaction to the Three Waters working party's mahi, and felt their negativity was for negativity's sake.
The Three Waters working party involves local government leaders and Local Government New Zealand working with the Government to come up with compromises within the proposed Three Waters reform.
C4LD was founded in December by local government leaders who did not believe comprises were possible, and wanted to come up with alternative reforms for the Government to consider.
MacLeod felt C4LD's press releases and attitude towards the working party had been “emotional”, and instead of doing the “hard yards” of investigating what was wrong with its work, they were against it because “they didn't like it”. Continue reading here.
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.4% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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