Brendon McMahon

Local Democracy Reporter at New Zealand Herald

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Articles

Councillor denies privacy breach

1 week ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsWest CoastThe West Coast Regional Council is alleging a privacy breach involving its former chairman after correspondence from a mining company ended up in the media. However, Cr Allan Birchfield, who openly admits passing the information on, denies there was any breach. If the council wanted to take issue with it — "bring it on".
Elderly man upset to be focus of murder inquiry

2 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsWest CoastAn elderly Kakapotahi resident says he is flummoxed and upset to find he is the centre of police attention over a local cold case murder inquiry. Mark Walsh rejected any suggestion he is a suspect in the unsolved murder of transient David Robinson, whose body was found on the beach at Bold Head, near Kakapotahi in South Westland, in 1998.
No govt solution to future: Jones

2 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsWest CoastThe Minister of Regional Development has stepped away from the government having a role in master-planning for the future of Franz Josef. Shane Jones was in Franz Josef on Friday to formally mark the completion of stage 1 of the Waiho (Waiau) River flood protection scheme.
Leaders open to council merger

4 weeks ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

A "mega merger" of the West Coast’s four councils into a unitary structure is not off the cards, local government leaders say. Southland District Mayor Rob Scott has just backed a full-scale merger in the Deep South. On the West Coast, an attempt in 2015 to merge the four councils through a citizens-initiated referendum resulted in the Local Government Commission ordering a combined district plan instead — Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP).
Historic landmark process given tick

1 month ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsNorth OtagoThe community trust instrumental in the revival of historic Oamaru over the past 35 years has now formally signed its assent to a process to achieve National Historic Landmark status for the area.
‘Step too far’ to appoint commissioner

1 month ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsNorth OtagoTensions flared in the Waitaki District Council chamber in Oamaru on Tuesday as veteran councillor Jim Thomson threatened to resign as chairman of the district plan review (DPR) subcommittee, following a divisive debate over how to handle procedural matters related to the proposed Waitaki district plan.
Ceremony marks beginning of bridge replacement

1 month ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsNorth OtagoAn official sod-turning has been conducted for a $11.6 million Kakanui Bridge replacement, 12km south of Oamaru. Formalities were conducted mid-afternoon yesterday on the western approach for the new bridge on the edge of Kakanui village. Representatives from Te Rūnanga o Moeraki blessed the site earlier in the afternoon.
Challenged over disclosure

2 months ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

The Waitaki District Council is being challenged over the disclosure of an August 2024 Environment Court decision, potentially impacting its proposed district plan process. The proposed plan was notified for submissions on March 1, which were set to close on May 9.
Review of staff numbers inevitable as budget honed

2 months ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

A review of Waitaki District Council staffing is inevitable as it finalises a budget for the next few years. The council held a workshop on April 15 to begin honing department budgets for the proposed 2025-26 long-term plan (LTP). The discussions followed a revision of all council departments under "transformation" from July last year. Departments were cut from four to five with the respective managers now termed as "directors".
Council staff budgets to be honed

2 months ago | odt.co.nz | Brendon McMahon

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsNorth OtagoA review of Waitaki District Council staffing is inevitable as it finalises a budget for the next few years. The council held a workshop on April 15 to begin honing department budgets for the proposed 2025-26 long-term plan. The discussions followed a revision of all council departments under "transformation" from July 2024.