Libby Kirkby- McLeod

New Zealand

Reporter at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

Featured in: Favicon

rnz.co.nz

stuff.co.nz Favicon

nzherald.co.nz Favicon

newshub.co.nz Favicon

scoop.co.nz (+1) Favicon

1news.co.nz Favicon

sunlive.co.nz Favicon

teaomaori.news Favicon

odt.co.nz

Articles

Hamilton locals hope 25-storey hotel will solve accommodation shortage

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

Locals hope a new, 25-storey dining and hotel complex will help to solve Hamilton's visitor accommodation shortage and transform the city. Hamilton City Council has sold a prime downtown riverfront site on Victoria Street to Templeton Group, which is planning to develop it. A council feasibility study showed the city needs 497 additional hotel rooms in the next five years just to keep up with demand.
Jewish and Christian leaders decry claims of 'supernatural blessings' for Passover

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

The Jewish Passover celebration begins in New Zealand at sundown on Saturday evening. It is a major celebration in the Jewish calendar which marks the birth of the Jewish people and their freedom from slavery in Egypt. This year, the Leader of the White House Faith Office, Paula White, has suggested Christians should celebrate Passover 'in order to unlock seven supernatural blessings'. But both Jewish and Christian leaders in New Zealand said Passover shouldn't be treated as a transaction with God.
Marine Precinct: Council fights judicial review

2 weeks ago | sunlive.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

The majority of Tauranga City Council's elected members voted to fight a request for a judicial review into the sale of the Tauranga marine precinct, minutes from a closed-door meeting in February show. Mayor Mahé Drysdale, deputy mayor Jen Scoular, and councillors Hautapu Baker, Marten Rozeboom, Kevin Schuler and Rod Taylor also directed the council to oppose efforts from marine precinct users to prevent the council from selling the land to developer Sam Rofe.
Mayor says he doesn't want marine precinct sold - then votes in favour

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

Tauranga’s marine precinct, in the lower left corner of the photo, was sold for $13m to a Christchurch developer. Photo / Mark McKeownBy Libby Kirkby-McLeod at RNZThe majority of Tauranga City Council's elected members voted to fight a request for a judicial review into the sale of the Tauranga marine precinct, minutes from a closed-door meeting in February show.
Tauranga Mayor says he doesn't want marine precinct sold - then votes in favour

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

The majority of Tauranga City Council elected members voted to fight a request for a judicial review into the sale of the Tauranga marine precinct, minutes from a closed-door meeting in February show. Mayor Mahé Drysdale, deputy mayor Jen Scoular, and councillors Hautapu Baker, Marten Rozeboom, Kevin Schuler and Rod Taylor also directed the council to oppose efforts from marine precinct users to prevent council from selling the land to developer Sam Rofe.
New guidelines aim to make outdoors more accessible

4 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

Enjoying the outdoors may seem like the ultimate free activity, but not everyone can take part. That is hopefully about to change, with the launch of new Outdoor Accessibility Design Guidelines in Rotorua on Friday afternoon. The guidelines provide clear, practical advice for anyone involved in creating, maintaining, or advocating for accessible outdoor spaces.
Resigning Hamilton councillor says he's 'not controversial'

1 month ago | rnz.co.nz | Natalie Akoorie |Libby Kirkby- McLeod

Former Hamilton councillor Mark Donovan, who quit last month after taking on a full-time job late last year, said he was never a controversial character. "Like I say, I'm the most vanilla councillor out there. I'm not controversial."Donovan resigned on 5 March, effective immediately, after taking on the role of national sales manager for packaging firm Tetra Pak in October. At the time, Donovan told RNZ that the new role would not affect his ability to be a councillor.
Olympians hit back against Kaituna River plans

1 month ago | sunlive.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

Posted: 08:01am Fri 21 Mar, 2025 | By Libby Kirkby-McLeod at RNZ Olympians hit back against Kaituna River plans Rafts navigate the rapids of the Kaituna River at Okere Falls. Photo / NZME International paddlers and New Zealand Olympians are joining iwi and environmental groups in opposing the possible fast-tracking of a Bay of Plenty river energy project.
Olympians join fight against Bay of Plenty river energy project

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

One of these, Pari Whakahihi (Awesome Gorge), will be flooded at the top and have less water flowing at the bottom, making it unusable for paddlers. “It will effectively stop kayaks being able to make that journey through the gorges from top to bottom,” Dawson said. He said that the organisation has had paddlers from around the world asking what they can do to help fight the proposal.
Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale criticises marine precinct sale, locals demand action

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Libby Kirkby- McLeod

By Libby Kirkby-McLeod of RNZTauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale has called the sale of marine precinct land a “s*** deal”, but residents say he is not taking the opportunity to cancel the deal. Council commissioners announced in May the Marine Precinct at Sulphur Point had been sold, with purchaser Sam Rofe set to develop it into a superyacht destination. Commercial boat operators who based their businesses in the precinct were dismayed by the news.